So, you’ve made it through the December heat and it’s starting to cool down. What’s a person to do? Book themselves onto one of the best outdoor restaurants in Riyadh, of course.
From cute breakfast spots, to fun places for Indian cuisine, small French dinner affairs and terraces with décor worth the trip alone, we’ve pulled together some of the very best – old and new.
Farzi Café
If you want some fun with your modern Indian food then Farzi Café is the place to go. Smoke, spheres, table theatrics and culinary illusion are all promised here. It comes from the powerhouse Kalra family which has brought Indian cuisine into the spotlight around the world, and is a big name when it comes to the food and drink scene. Dishes include the likes of tandoori mushroom risotto, butter chicken buns and deshi chow mein. The spectacular rooftop patio is always lively, meaning you’ll have a side dish of fun when you dine here, especially as the night goes on.
Open Sat-Wed 12pm-2am, Thu-Fri 12pm-2.30am. Farzi Café, The Residence, Hittin, farzicafe.com (092 001 8177).
Koi Riyadh
Japan meets Peru (or Nikkei, as they call it) at this exciting and upmarket restaurant in Riyadh. Signature dishes include intriguing ingredients such as hamachi fusion soy yuzu truffle essence, and there are unusual combinations like foi gras on seared tuna with truffles and an extensive range of tempura to choose from. Fans of sushi and sashimi will be glad to know that there is a dedicated and extensive menu on offer, while the restaurant also hosts regular ladies’ nights, too. The lovely, large outdoor terrace and relaxed music make this the perfect spot to enjoy
a long and luxurious evening.
Open Tue-Sun 6pm-12am. Koi, Wadi Al Muaydin, Unit 4 Imam Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz Road, koi-riyadh.com (011 813 1347).
La Brasserie
This international restaurant sitting in Riyadh’s Mandarin Oriental hotel is one of the best in the city for those who want a buffet-style experience in a spectacular setting. It’s terrace offers a view of the iconic Faisaliah Tower, and surrounds guests with clever wooden panelling and awnings, and plenty of shrubbery, while down on your plate the concept promises to be ‘chef-to-guests and pan-to-plate’. With multiple interactive settings, guests can watch the chefs at work, and sittings cover breakfast all the way through to dinner with set prices making budgeting easy. An excellent choice for out
of towners.
Open breakfast 6am-11am, lunch 12.30pm-3.30pm, dinner 7pm-12am. La Brasserie, King Fahd Road, mandarinoriental.com (966 11 273 2005).
LPM Riyadh
After opening recently last year, LPM (which already has outposts in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Miami and London) brings a fusion of French and Mediterranean fare to the centre of Al Olaya. Outside on the restaurant’s 30-seater terrace, diners can enjoy the likes of Burgundy snails, quinoa tabbouleh, smoked beef tartare and homemade pasta, as well as hearty meat options from waygu beef to black leg chicken with foie gras. Save space for dessert: French classics like vanilla crème brulee and pistachio profiteroles are worth it.
Open lunch Mon-Thurs 12.30pm-3.30pm, Fri 1pm-3.30pm; dinner Mon-Sat 6.30pm-11pm. LPM Restaurant & Café, Al Motassem Street, Al Olaya, lpmrestaurants.com/riyadh
(966 9200 11794).
Solia
You can’t miss the terrace at U Walk’s Solia which sits right out the front of this relatively new (2020 opening) Mediterranean restaurant. Inside there’s a beach theme, while outside tables line the chequered tile flooring dotted with plants and purple furnishings. On the menu, dishes range from cuisines including French, Turkish, Spanish, Levantine and North African so you can guarantee you’ll find something you’ll like, and food is served from breakfast through to dinner. We hear excellent things about their bread and olive oil, too – an excellent way to judge a restaurant, we think.
Solia, Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Rd, King Saud University, @soliaKSA (966 9200 11159).
Walton St Scalini
Often described as ‘the best restaurant ever’ by locals, Walton St Scalini turns out home-cooked Italian favourites (just like Mama used to). Often prepared in front of diners, dishes to expect are Canestrini alla Nettuni (puff pastry filled with lobster, scampi and prawns in a creamy sauce), Melanzane all Parmigiana (oven-baked aubergine with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil), waygu beef lasagna and all the pasta and pizza you’d expect. Its terrace is seriously Insta-worthy with floral canopies and green candy-striped flooring.
A must visit this January for when you want to make the most of the outdoors.
Open Mon-Sat 1pm-12.15am. Walton St Scalini, Signature center, Hateen District, Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Rd, Exit 2, Hittin, scalini-riyadh.com (966 1147 77753).
