From upmarket eats to casual treats, these are the best new restaurants in the Saudi capital.
Keeping track of all the new restaurant openings in the Kingdom is a full-time job. But if you love finding the latest hotspots for lunch and dinner before anyone else, then this is the place for you. These are the best new restaurants in Riyadh right now.
New Riyadh restaurants in May 2025
Benoit
The world-famous chef Alain Ducasse is heading to Riyadh. The French chef has opened Benoit in KAFD, showcasing classic French cuisine. The venue includes shimmering chandeliers, white tablecloths and red banquettes. The walls feature black and white photographs of Paris, ranging from the Eiffel Tower to Sacré-Cœur. Benoit Riyadh’s menu spans starters, mains, sharing dishes, sides and desserts. Starters include a classic French Onion Soup, Escargots and a Duck Foie Gras with fig chutney and brioche. Mains include Angus Beef Tenderloin, Lamb Chops with eggplant and bell pepper, and Grilled Jumbo Shrimp.
GO: Follow @benoitriyadh on Instagram for more information.
Julien
Chef Daniel Boulud has introduced Julien, an exclusive new dining concept inside the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre. The restaurant is a 10-seat, ultra-intimate chef’s table experience offering an immersive, fine-dining meal. Tucked away behind Café Boulud, guests enter via a discreet passageway flanked by a curated bakery and cellar before arriving at the sophisticated dining enclave that centres around an open kitchen and a striking marble-topped bar. At the helm of Julien’s kitchen is Chef Thierry Motsch, who executes a refined multi-course tasting menu envisioned by Boulud himself.
GO: Visit fourseasons.com/riyadh for more information.
The Lighthouse
Now open at 1364 in the Diplomatic Quarter, The Lighthouse in Riyadh is a multi-purpose venue. The menu draws inspiration from the Eastern Mediterranean, adding a contemporary flair throughout. Guests can start their day with bowls of Greek Yoghurt and House-made Granola or opt for the comforting Muhammara Eggs. As the day unfolds, the offering evolves to include Chicken Musakhan, Harissa-Crusted Seabass, and Truffle Rigatoni. Small plates such as the Lentil Salad with pickled vegetables and Short Rib Katayefs are ideal for sharing. The venue balances indoor and outdoor spaces to foster connection and conversation.
GO: Visit https://thelighthouse.ae for more information.
New Riyadh restaurants in April 2025
Table;To
Located in Al Takhassousi, Table;To showcases premium meats, and the menu spans burgers, steaks and more. The menu features starters, sharing dishes, hot clay pots, burgers, a garden section, robata, wood oven dishes, and side dishes. Starters include Crispy Hasawi Rice, Josper Bone Marrow, and Wagyu Asian Beef Shawarma Taco. Additionally, there are dishes with playful names, such as Funk, featuring 48-hour marinated chicken, and OMG, which includes avocado and cheese. The restaurant is a sultry spot and is already proving popular.
GO: Follow @tabl.to on Instagram for more information.
Tonic Bar
Mocktail fans, we have some tasty news for you. Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre in Al Olaya has just welcomed Tonic Bar. Specialising in handcrafted mocktails and bar bites, the sleek spot is fronted by Saudi Arabia’s first all-female bar team. Drinks include a liquid version of tzatziki and concoctions laced with truffle, accompanied by an appealing selection of bar bites.
GO: Visit www.fourseasons.com for more information.
New Riyadh restaurants in March 2025
Café L’Occitane
The charm of Provence has arrived in the Saudi capital with the opening of Café L’Occitane in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. Marking the brand’s first foray into the Kingdom, this boutique café blends the sensibilities of French wellness with laid-back southern European dining. Set within the stylish 1364 Mall, you can enjoy artisanal pastries, signature salads, and fragrant herbal teas served in a setting that evokes the lavender fields of France. It’s a tranquil escape for Riyadh’s Francophiles.
GO: Follow @loccitanecafe on Instagram for more information.
New Riyadh restaurants in February 2025
EDO
If you’re looking for a new Japanese restaurant in Riyadh, put EDO restaurant on your radar. The concept brings the cuisine and culture of the country to the capital. Located on As Siddiq Road, the menu spans appetisers, gyoza, ramen, poki, sushi, nigiri, mains, yakiori and sweets. EDO restaurant boasts an open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs at work.
GO: Follow @edo.sa_ on Instagram for more information.
Malfa Terrace
Located within Aseel Resort, Malfa Terrace is an open-air restaurant in a stunning setting overlooking historic Diriyah. Designed to embrace the rich history of the birthplace of the Kingdom, it offers a fusion of traditional charm and modern luxury, making it an ideal setting for intimate gatherings and grand occasions. Indulge in the likes of Beef Tacos, Burrata Fusion, Crispy Kale Salad, Pizzas, Pastas, Steaks and Truffle Sliders.
GO: Follow @malfaterrace on Instagram for more information.
Phet Phet
Located on Takhasussi Road, Phet Phet promises a true Thai dining experience. White-tiled walls, matching tables and chairs, and a bright, welcoming atmosphere make for a minimalist yet charming setting. You’ll even spot a maneki-neko —beckoning cat — on the counter, which is said to bring good luck. Phet Phet’s menu pays homage to Thai street food and home-style dishes. Kick off your meal with the likes of Chili Wontons, Green Mango Salad, Prawn Toast and Tom Yum Soup before indulging in Khao Soi Curry Noodles, Pad Krapao Beef, Red and Green Curry or Turmeric Fish.
GO: Follow @phetphetksa on Instagram for more information.
Taleed by Michael Mina
Located in historical Diriyah, Taleed by Michael Mina is now open inside the Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Diriyah. This new restaurants in Riyadh celebrates Mediterranean flavours infused with Hejazi influences, harmonising locally sourced ingredients with globally inspired techniques. Each dish celebrates flavour and tradition, from the Jeddah Red Sea Lobster Salad with golden mango and saffron labneh to the Hijazi Fish Fry served alongside aromatic hassawi rice sayadeya. A standout creation is Michael Mina’s Crispy Falafel, which reimagines a Middle Eastern classic with the addition of big-eye tuna, offering a contemporary twist on a beloved favourite.
GO: Follow @taleeddiriyah on Instagram for more information.
The Roof
Riyadh is raising the roof. The new restaurant The Roof has opened above Al Mamlaka Social Dining in the capital’s Kingdom Centre. The new restaurant is photo-ready, thanks to its Insta-worthy views of the Kingdom Tower. The venue boasts an elegant design with brown wooden features, white umbrellas, green seats, and pretty plants. The fantastic food menu spans mezze, salads, soups, mains, sides and desserts. Mezze includes Hummus, Labneh and Zucchini Baba. Mains include Armenian Shish, Curry Shish and Shish Taouk, while desserts feature Chocolate Raspberry Cake, Date Pudding and Kunafa Pistachio Cake.
GO: Visit https://almamlakasocialdining.com for more information.
New Riyadh restaurants in January 2025
Chotto Matte
Saudi Arabia is filled with exciting restaurant openings, from homegrown concepts to celebrity chefs. Now, Chotto Matte, a Nikkei restaurant that combines Japanese and Peruvian cuisine, has opened in KAFD. The menu spans small plates, raw bar, sushi bar, robata and sides. The menu showcases premium ingredients, from the charcoal grilled meat from the Australian Jack’s Creek to Japanese Grade A5 Wagyu Beef. The restaurant can be found in London’s Marylebone and Soho, Miami South Beach, San Francisco Union Square and Toronto Downtown.
GO: Visit https://chotto-matte.com for more information.
Domn
Tucked away in Riyadh’s Al Yasmin district, Domn showcases Indian cuisine. Dishes include Cucumber Yoghurt Salad, Domn Salad and Kadhai. Take your pick from mains, including Butter Chicken, Kadhai, Korma, Tikka, and a variety of biryanis. The setting features simple wooden chairs paired with Tarrazzo patterned tables reminiscent of the tiles often found in middle-class South Asian households.
GO: Follow @domn_sa on Instagram for more information.
Fiamma
In Italian, fiamma means little flame or fiery little one. The new rooftop restaurant at Centria Mall boasts Insta-worthy views of the capital and draws its inspiration from the Italian influences in New York. Fiamma’s food menu is superb for sharing and spans antipasti, pasta, pizzas and desserts. Top choices include Burrata, Fritto Mistro, Lasagna Classia, Spaghetti Al Pesto and Tagliolini Gratinati.
GO: Visit https://fiamma.sa for more information.
Hocho
Hocho has found its home in the capital’s ultra-luxurious lifestyle destination, Via Riyadh. The restaurant focuses on the prized Japanese meat, Kobe beef. The breed is renowned for its tender texture and buttery flavour, and its breeding, feeding, and preparation methods make it one of the most sought-after meats in the world. The menu blends the richness of Japanese cuisine with the cultural influences of the Silk Roadm making Hocho one of the hottest new restaurants in Riyadh.
GO: Visit https://hocho.info for more information.
Ovun Bistro
From the moment you step into Ovun Bistro, you’re transported into a space that feels worlds away from the capital’s chaos. The decor is simple yet inviting, with light brown tiled flooring, cushioned wooden chairs, and marble-top tables in warm hues of beige and brown, setting a cosy tone. Kick-off with a selection of classic Lebanese mezze, including tabbouleh, fattoush, hummus, baba ganoush, muhammara and fatayer. For mains, expect traditional dishes like Kabab Arnabi, Kibbeh bel Laban, Kharouf and much more.
GO: Follow @ovunbistro on Instagram for more information.
Seoul
Seoul has opened in As Sulimaniyah, which is in the heart of the capital. The venue includes spaces for groups and gatherings, and the tables include grills, which allow you to cook your meal to your preference. The food menu spans appetisers, soups, sushi, salads, mandu, mains and desserts. Plus, grills and BBQ, and noodles and rice.
GO: Follow @seoul_ksa on Instagram for more information.
Tolga
Located in the bustling U Walk, Tolga Restaurant offers marvellous Middle Eastern cuisine served with a contemporary twist. The space features indoor and outdoor seating, making it an ideal setup for Riyadh’s cooler seasons. Inside, wooden furnishings accented with hues of orange and charcoal black create a cosy yet sophisticated vibe. The menu celebrates Middle Eastern classics such as hummus, mezze and perfectly grilled meats. For dessert, treat yourself to sweet baklava or one of the other tempting treats on offer.
GO: Follow @tolga_ksa on Instagram for more information.
