When you’re looking for an enjoyable evening, a meal at one of best European restaurants in Riyadh is an easy choice. European cuisine has a vast variety, and the Saudi capital showcases it at many top eateries. The Time Out Riyadh Restaurant Awards 2022 winners, in association with Pepsi, celebrate the best of the bunch.
Whether you want to go Greek, experience modern Mediterranean small plates or just want to spectacularly sample your way across the continent without ever leaving Saudi, these are the spots to do it at.
Time Out Riyadh reviews anonymously and pays for all its meals. For more on the review process click here.
Without further ado, here are the best European restaurants in Riyadh:
Winner
LPM
We know that Riyadh has world-class restaurants, and one that definitely proves those points is LPM. The fine-dining French venue opened in the Saudi capital to much fanfare and has held its high standard ever since. The food and ambience are so on brand, you’ll feel like you’re in the Southern France, without ever setting foot on a plane. Your feet remain firmly in An Olaya, but the top Riyadh restaurant transports diners.
Whether you’re on the terrace experiencing its fresh, flavourful version of Mediterranean micro cuisine or inside surrounded by the colourful art eating equally colourful dishes, you will likely leave very, very well fed. This is not just the delicious French cuisine you know it, but something that is wholly LPM’s thanks to its elements of Niçoise food and its lighter touch on butter. Overall, it’s a top-rated experience that you will not forget, making it the winner in the Best European Restaurants in Riyadh 2022 category at the Time Out Riyadh Restaurant Awards. Bon appétit.
Al Olaya, lpmrestaurants.com/riyadh (920 011 794).
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Meraki
There are many European eateries that are up there on the best restaurants in Riyadh list. When you want to go to a great Greek venue, or just a great European restaurant for that matter, make your way to Meraki’s light-filled space. The stylish spot provides modern dishes of Greek favourites and a Mykonos vibe in the heart of the city, in one of the most iconic hotels.
Al Faisaliah Hotel, instagram.com/merakiriyadh (92 000 1050).
Villa Palma
Munch your way across the Mediterranean without leaving your comfortable seat at Villa Palma in the heart of the city. Your culinary journey can see you travel across Greece, Italy, Spain and the South of France with every mouthful. With no bad bite, this makes Villa Palma of the best European restaurants in Riyadh. The Med vibes are enhanced with the sun-drenched interiors and picturesque courtyard.
As Sulimaniyah, villapalma.co (920 035 500).
SHORTLISTED
A.O.K Kitchen
It may have only recently opened its doors in KAFD this summer, but there’s already a huge hype around A.O.K Kitchen – and rightly so. The London-based dining concept’s first international location, A.O.K – which stands for “All is Okay” – is famous for its Mediterranean-meets-Californian menu (think blueberry pancakes for breakfast, sea bass ceviche for lunch and gluten-free gnocchi for dinner) that is free from refined sugar, and consciously limited in dairy and gluten use. Tasty and healthy? Don’t mind if we do. It’s more than okay, it’s already one of the best European restaurants in Riyadh.
KAFD, instagram.com/aokkitchensaudi (92 002 5304).
Entrecôte Café de Paris
A popular Geneva-based fine-dining restaurant much-loved for its interactive menu and stellar views of the Saudi capital, Entrecôte Café de Paris is the place to head for a good hunk of meat. Specialising in – you guessed it – entrecôte steak, choose from the likes of striploin fillet, tenderloin and striploin wagyu steak which is thinly sliced, cooked to perfection and served slathered in the restaurant’s famous secret homemade sauce. In fact, so good is the steak that two new locations are set to open in the capital this year. Watch this space. In the meantime, head to the current branch to experience another one of the best European restaurants in Riyadh.
Al Faisaliah Tower, King Fahd Road, entrecote-cdp.com (92 001 8998).
Le Maschou
Boasting the feel of a rustic neighbourhood bistro but serving up fine French cuisine, say “bonjour” to Le Maschou. Nestled in the upscale Diplomatic Quarter, chefs use a unique wood-fire grill to cook their steaks, while elsewhere on the menu its fried eggplant chips, Australian rack of lamb and fresh grilled king prawns are all hot favourites. As close to Paris as you’ll find it the capital, its sophisticated setting is perfect for a memorable night at one of the best European restaurants in Riyadh.
Diplomatic Quarter, lemaschou.sa (92 001 3005).
OKTO
Chock-a-block full of every Greek goodie you could ever ask for, OKTO, the chic and contemporary eatery developed by top chef Ntinos Fotinakis, is far from your average Aegean taverna. Banish all thoughts of bright pink taramasalata and plate-smashing here – the cooking is smart and modern, so look to the menu for the likes of grilled halloumi salad, creamy moussaka, juicy beef gyros and melt-in-the-mouth lamb shank. Oh, and bonus points for the expertly-made mocktails.
The Zone, okto-sa.com (92 001 0028).
SOE
Bringing together the best of European cuisine within one action-packed menu, SOE – an acronym of “Something of Everything” – is a favourite of the city’s high-brow foodies and has a variety that has earned it a place on the Best European Restaurants in Riyadh 2022 list. Focusing on creative dishes crafted from the highest-quality ingredients (be sure to try the delicious rigatoni pasta served in homemade marinara sauce and fresh burrata), interiors are as elegant as the food, so be sure to have your cameras at the ready.
An Nakheel, instagram.com/soe.riyadh (92 000 9877).
Spazio
Part coffee house, part brasserie and part fine-dining restaurant, but wholly on the best European restaurants in Riyadh list. Spazio has been feeding famous diners, residents and tourists since its opening in 2003, and it’s not hard to see why it’s one of the top-rated eateries in the city. Ingredients are as top quality as they come – think veal, truffle, burrata and black Angus beef – while the service is second-to-none. Looking to treat a family member for a milestone event? Reserve a table for a candlelight dinner. The popular Friday brunch is great for groups and families. We’ll see you there.
Kingdom Tower, Al Urubah Rd, spazio77.com (011 211 1888).
The Globe
If you like your dinner served with a side of sublime city views, you can’t go wrong with an evening at The Globe. Located in the spectacular golden sphere that tops the Al Faisaliah Tower, this three-storey restaurant is also home to the buzzy Asir Lounge which is a great spot for foodies, an exciting ambiance and let’s not forget the downstairs viewing deck. It’s the menu that really wows though – opt for the tasting menu comprised of salmon gravlax, braised beef cheek and a dreamy chocolate tart, and see why this is show-stopping spot is part of the best European restaurants in Riyadh.
Al Faisaliah Hotel, King Fahd Rd, instagram.com/theglobeksa (011 273 2005).
For all the best restaurants in Riyadh click here.
