Looking for some cool new spots to try out this spring? Time Out has you covered. Be it fine-dining restaurants or amazing local spots, these are the top restaurants in Riyadh for this new and exciting season.
Azure
Serving up amazing Spanish food, Azure is located at one of Riyadh’s popular staycation spots, Hyatt Regency Olaya. The dining areas feel private, but they are open, They’re expertly decorated with abstract artworks and have views of the action-packed open kitchen, which chef Ramon Cantos presides over. Looking for to order? The cuisine is known for its amazing paellas (rice cooked in a large flat pan with seafood or meats), and brilliant tapas which chef Cantos serves with his signature aioli.
Open daily 6.30pm-10.30pm. Hyatt Regency، Olaya Street, Al Olaya, instagram.com/azureriyadh (966 53 341 1234).
Coya Riyadh
This well-loved Peruvian spot has finally opened up a permanent spot in Riyadh and diners can’t be more excited. Enjoy vibrant Latin dishes such as tacos, ceviches (cured fish), and much more. Coya reinterprets classic dishes in modern ways in a colourful atmosphere. Check out Time Out’s exclusive first look of Coya here.
Open daily 1pm-4pm. 6.30pm-12.30pm. Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi Street, As Sulimaniyah, coyarestaurant.com (9200 10352).
Hotel Cartagena
This cool new spot has an interesting piece of history attached to it: it was founded in the 1950s and was passed on to Mrs Buendia by her father, who travelled around Latin America. As you can imagine, the cuisine is very much inspired by Latin America. Don’t forget to order the smoked veal empanadas and lamb chops.
Open daily 6.30pm-1.30am. Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Rd, Al Malqa, hotelcartagenariyadh.com.
La Brasserie
Located in one of Saudi’s most iconic buildings, it doesn’t get much better than this. If you’re looking to impress someone special, La Brasserie is a great place to way to go. The buffet menu features dishes from all over the world from India to Japan, and beyond, all set on interactive stations. Where to start?
Open daily 6am-11am, 12.30pm-3.30pm. 7pm-midnight. Al Faisaliah Hotel. mandarinoriental.com.
Suhail
Named after one of the brightest stars in the sky, this elegant spot aims to combine traditional dishes with a refined aesthetic at a surprisingly trendy dining complex hidden away just off the Northern Ring Road. Overseen by the same team behind neighbouring Lusin – a firm favourite among the city’s diners – the menu here offers plenty of contemporary twists alongside more familiar flavours. Don’t forget to order gulf classics like marqoq curry, lamb kabsa, and more.
Open Sat-Thu midday-1am. Fri 12.30pm-1am, Northern Sub-Ring Road, Al-Nakhil, instagram.com/suhail_saudi.
Villa Palma
Villa Palma is bringing the flavours of Greece, Spain, Italy and the South of France to Riyadh. The dramatic venue features a gorgeous Moroccan courtyard, which lights up with live performances on a custom-made stage. The menu features dishes like tuna tartare, patatas bravas (Spanish spicy potatoes) and fritto misto (fried mixed seafood).
Open Mon-Thu 12.30pm-4pm, 7pm-11.30pm. Fri 2pm-5.30pm, 7pm-11.30pm. Sat 12.30pm-5.30pm, 7.30pm – 11.30pm. Closed Sun. Abdullah Bin Hamdan, As Sulimaniyah, villapalma.co.
