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Hittin Riyadh guide: all you need to know about the capital’s trendy area

Eateries, stores and so much more in the up-and-coming area

The city’s complexes and plazas are something special. If you’re looking for one of the hippest places to go, Hittin Riyadh is where it’s at. It’s one of the trendiest areas in the entire Saudi capital. Hittin does not fall short of its share of interesting spots worthy of spending your free time. There is definitely plenty to explore with streets that go on for miles. You’ll find the lively places filled with restaurants, cafés and stores. Are you ready?

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We’re always on the hunt for a good sit-down with some extra space and a pool of food choices. If you want to get better acquainted with one of the most exciting up-and-coming districts, but don’t know where to begin in the sea of choices, start here. These are the top spots in Hittin to explore. See you there.

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Hittin Riyadh Squares and Plazas

Al-Thaghr Plaza

Al Thaghr Plaza in Hittin Riyadh

One of the bigger plazas in the Hittin Riyadh, Thaghr Plaza is a top option for a triple combination of entertainment, shopping and promisingly enjoyable food. The spacious area includes an array of restaurants and cafés while also offering various supermarkets, furniture shops and retail options.
Click here for the best new cafés in the city.
Open 24/7. Prince Mohammed Ibn Salman Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Hittin.

Boulevard Riyadh City

Things to do at Boulevard Riyadh City

Launched in 2019 as part of the Riyadh Season festivities, Boulevard Riyadh City is known a hit complex in the Hittin Riyadh district. An open area dedicated to entertainment and recreational activities, the space include a variety of facilities including outdoor cinemas, cafés, restaurants and lounges, in addition to sports, music and theatrical events.
Click here for new restaurants opening soon.
Open daily, 4pm-2am. Hittin, instagram.com/blvdruhcity.

Rubeen Plaza

Hittin Riyadh's Rubeen Plaza

Located on the Northern Ring Road in the Saudi capital, Rubeen Plaza is a hotspot in the Hittin Riyadh. The lively complex offers a variety of fun-filled things to do including great restaurant and café options . A great place for a family night out, kids can enjoy the dancing fountain of water and run around freely in the ample open space. It’s a welcoming environment for all ages and one of the must-visit spots in Hittin Riyadh during the winter.
Click here for the best burgers.
Open Sat-Wed 7am-11.45pm, Thu 7am-1.45am, Fri 9am-1.45am. Northern Ring Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/rubeenplaza.

The Boulevard Riyadh

If you’re heading to Hittin, The Boulevard Riyadh is one of the famous plazas in the district you likely want to experience. Filled with a combination of fine-dining and fast food restaurants including Morini, The Boulevard also houses various exhibitions and health and fitness clubs like Arena Fitness Centre and Al Multaka, in addition to the Jareed boutique hotel.
Click here for the top yoga studios.
Open daily, noon-4am. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/theboulevard_riyadh.

Top restaurants in Hittin

AVAK

Avak’s menu is all about modern Mediterranean dishes inspired by Arabian tastes. Sound good? You likely don’t want to miss out on dishes like the batata harra, fried potatoes mixed with coriander, garlic, herbs and green peppers. It’s perfect as a side to a main of chick tawook. Try a plate of fatteh shawarma or mixed hummus with a side of vine leaves.
Click here for the top Lebanese restaurants in Riyadh.
Open daily, 1pm-2am. Prince Mohammed bin Saad bin Abdulaziz Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/avak.sa.

Canvas Restaurant

Another must-try spot in Hittin Riyadh, Canvas is an American restaurant serving dishes with a twist. Order the bestseller items like the popcorn shrimp, buffalo chicken wings with maple sauce or the hot cross sliders of fried chicken, with cheddar cheese and Canvas’ Boom Sauce. A fan of sushi? Try out the Canvas roll made of prawn tempura, avocado, red pepper and sweet soy topped with spicy mayo.
Click here for American delivery-only restaurants in Riyadh.
Open daily, 8am-3am. Prince Mohammed bin Saad bin Abdulaziz Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/canvas.res.

Cipriani

Italian cuisine is always a good option. Serving up comforting, traditional dishes, Cipriani is pretty much the definition of elegance with its classic, jovial atmosphere. Devour homemade potato gnocchi, risotto with fresh peas or enjoy many main courses including sea bream with sautéed broccoli and the signature Cipriani tiramisu for dessert.
Click here for the best places for pasta.
Open daily, 1pm-12.30am. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/ciprianiriyadh.

Cosmo Cafe

Craving something sweet? Head here for a variety of looped churro options including classic, salted caramel, crunchy Nutella and sprinkles. Match one of your dessert options with a side of coffee for an extra kick. Other menu options include cakes, sandwiches and croissants.
Click here for 24-hour cafés.
Open Sat-Wed 8am-2.30am, Thu 8am-4am, Fri 8am-4am. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/cosmocafe_sa.

High Joint

Seeking behemoth burgers to chow down? Dubai-based High Joint has set up a pop-up truck in The Boulevard Riyadh. Stop by for freshly minced burgers. Bite into classics like High Jamz, Double High and Kingshroom. If you’re a fan of chicken, order the High Chicken or Spicy Mango options.
Click here for quirky burgers in the city.
Open daily, 8pm-midnight. Boulevard Riyadh City, Hittin, instagram.com/highjoint.ksa.

Lilou Artisan Patisserie

Specialising in cakes, Lilou is a popular place for the sweet treat served by the whole or by the slice. The patisserie also offers an array of freshly baked pastries and various grab-and-go items including zaatar crackers and chocolate coated macadamia nuts. Have a sweet tooth? This could be your spot.
Click here for the most Insta-worthy cakes.
Open Sat-Thu 8.30am-11pm, Fri 2pm-11pm. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/lilouartisanpatisserieksa.

Madeleine

Looking for a hip yet chic French bakery in Hittin Riyadh? Make your way to Madeleine for delicately presented French pastries and dishes. Enjoy the many flavours of eye-catching desserts including vanilla mille-feuille and San Sebastian salted caramel or dig into savoury options like croque madame, a famous French classic.
Click here for more on the new French bistro headed to the capital.
Open daily, 7.30am-midnight. Boulevard Riyadh City, Hittin, instagram.com/madeleineksa.

MNKY HSE

After a taste of Latin America? London-based, award-winning MNKY HSE is set on offering a vibrant and energetic atmosphere with a hint of edgy sophistication. Enjoy a variety of foodie options including soft tacos with chicken chipotle, crunchy tacos filled with wagyu beef and truffle, sushi and ceviche dishes or enjoy the array of meat and fish items.
Click here for the top sushi spots.
Open Sun-Wed 6.30pm-1am, Thu-Fri 6.30pm-1am. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/mnkyhseksa.

Morini

After New York-style Italian cuisine? Say no more. Morini Riyadh’s menu is filled with just that. Enjoy golden-seared salmon on a bed of asparagus, lobster ravioli coated with a chili basil and tomato sauce or share a plate of burrata with traditional Italian buffalo milk mozzarella. The eatery is one of the newest restaurants to open in Hittin.
Click here for the best sandwiches.
Open daily, 4pm-midnight. Jareed Hotel, Hittin, instagram.com/moriniriyadh.

Walton St. Scalini

Traditional Italian cuisine served in the heart of the Saudi capital, Walton St. Scalini is likely the place to be if you’re looking for an authentic Italian fine-dining experience in Hittin Riyadh. Make sure to order Scalini’s signature dishes such as carpaccio alla rucola (thinly sliced raw beef with mustard sauce and arugula leaves), veal Milanese (breadcrumbed veal escalope on the bone) or the burrata con datterini (burrata served with cherry tomato).
Click here for information on Huna Riyadh Park.
Open daily, 1pm-12.15am. Signature Center, Hittin, instagram.com/waltonstscalini.

Section-B

Section B

A Saudi home-grown burger brand, Section-B serves up some of the most promisingly delicious burgers to sink your teeth into. Known for its beef patties, you likely don’t want to miss out on the famous B burger, an angus beef patty with cheddar cheese, onions, tomatos, dill pickles, iceberg lettuce and the signature SB sauce. Craving fried chicken? Try out the C burger, a fried chicken breast topped with spring onions, radish, sweet pickles and fresh crispy slaw, generously slathered with a spice mayo sauce.
Click here for the best burgers in Riyadh.
Open daily, noon-1am. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/sectionb_sa.

Smokey Beards Q

Up for Texan-styled smokehouse classics? Smokey Beards Q is committed to serving classic barbecue trays and meaty sandwiches. Great for a family-night out, order massive plates of Australian short-ribs and pulled brisket. Go the extra mile with the pulled brisket sandwich stuffed with onion strings and cheesy sauce with a side of Outlaw Fries.
Click here for the top steakhouses.
Open Sat-Wed 1pm-1am, Thu-Fri 1pm-2am. Prince Mohammed bin Saad bin Abdulaziz Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/smokeybeardsq.

The Smoke and Co.

Smoked meat? Why not. The Smoke and Co. serves up dishes focused on Arabian roots by incorporating flavours and ingredients that hit close to home. With meat soaked for nine hours in cedar, try a plate of smoked ribs with a side of corn, potatoes and asparagus or dig into some wagyu sliders. Staying healthy? Tuck into one of the salad options including grilled salad and arugula salad.
Click here to learn more about the newly opened steakhouse.
Open daily, noon-1am. Hittin, Riyadh, instagram.com/thesmokeandco.sa.

Yello

Breakfast spots are a Riyadh hit, so we can never really have enough. Yello sticks to its moto of “translating passion into food”. Offering baked goods including croissants, the eatery also serves promisingly delish avocado options including avocado toast, fried avocado and avo-beetroot hummus. Try out Yello specials including the bresaola burrata and the big cheese platter. Best bring your appetite.
Click here for 17 brilliants breakfast spots in Riyadh.
Open daily, 6am-6pm. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/yello_sa.

Hittin stores

O100° Perfumery

After a new signature scent? This is a boutique shop dedicated to all things perfume. Visit this famous local shop to sniff and sample delicately mixed scents, uniquely crafted to suit all tastes and preferences.
Click here for the best malls in Riyadh.
Open daily, 10am-10.30pm. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd. Hittin, instagram.com/o100perfumery.

Mira Y Mano

Specialised in ethical fashion, Mira Y Mano offers a variety of retail options including abayas, clothing for adults and kids, fine jewellery, perfumes and accessories. Stop by the cool spot to browse the available selections or visit the website to shop from the comfort of your home.
Click here for great home spas and salons for women.
Open Sat-Thu noon-11.45pm. Fri 1pm-11.45pm. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/miraymano2.

Papillon

Papillon is a luxury store dedicated to the higher-end of life. The shop offers stylish products, fine arts, accessories, handmade items, authentic home equipment and more. Head here for unique and bold products made to standout.
Click here for the top arts and culture events.
Open Sat-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri 4pm-11pm. Prince Turki Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, instagram.com/papillonksa.

Personage

One of the first concept stores to open in the Saudi capital, Personage provides more than just a shopping experience. A creative space for Saudi youth to flourish, the local concept store is meant to be hub for creativity and innovation. Housing a number of installations, the space is filled with great clothes, masterclasses and workshops and a café to socialise.
Click here for cool concept stores in Riyadh.
Open Sat-Wed 1pm-11pm, Thu 1pm-midnight, Fri 5pm-midnight. Hittin, instagram.com/personagesa.

Looking for food inspiration? See the top new restaurants in the capital here.