If you’re anything like us while browsing restaurant menus, you want it all and you want it now. Luckily, Riyadh’s best hotels (and a few other spots across the city) do a roaring buffet trade, meaning you can stack up that plate with as much self-serve salad, sushi, cheese, bread and multi-cuisine mains as your heart desires – then do it all again five minutes later.
Who said beetroot salad shouldn’t be paired with tarka dhal, chicken wings, sundried tomato focaccia and a dollop of bolognese anyway? Throw away those menus and dig into the best Riyadh buffet restaurants
Al Orjouan at Ritz-Carlton Riyadh
Set in a suitably opulent space just off the Ritz-Carlton’s main lobby, Al Orjouan offers a lavish spread of Middle Eastern and international dishes, including one of the largest bread selections we’ve seen in the city. Interactive cooking stations serve up kebab meat and freshly made pasta plates supplemented by self-serve stations galore, with things ramped up a notch for the weekly Friday brunch from 12.30pm-5pm. Expect lashings of luxury, with tiered stands of seafood, chocolate fountains and artfully presented displays of sweet and savoury at the centre of the action. Younger guests are catered for through a special menu featuring kid-friendly dishes such as mini beef sliders and steamed vegetables which can be ordered to the table. This is a splurge-level buffet from the city’s best hotel.
SAR325 (adults), SAR145 (kids aged six to 12), free (kids under six). Open daily 6.30am-11am, Sun-Tue 6.30pm-midnight. Friday brunch 12.30pm-5pm. Ritz-Carlton Hotel Riyadh, AlHada Area, Mekkah Road, ritzcarlton.com (011 802 8333).
La Brasserie at Mandarin Oriental
Tucked at the bottom of the Al Faisaliah Hotel, the contemporary La Brasserie is carved off into intimate dining spaces weaved around central stations meaning diners avoid the ‘dinner hall’ feel of traditional buffet restaurants. The spread here is smaller than at other hotels, but the quality is exceptional (an a la carte menu is also available). Particular highlights include the salad station, where the dishes go well beyond traditional leafy greens, and the dessert area’s chocolate bar, with an array of gourmet chocolates served from behind a glass counter. There are plenty of live stations including a dim sum counter and a fresh bread section where you can watch the chefs haul manakish and other doughy delights straight out of the oven. Prior reservations are recommended, but we’ve never had trouble snagging a spot – the outdoor terrace is well worth checking out, not least for the chic vibes and views up at the towering Al Faisaliah Hotel.
SAR185 (breakfast), SAR235 (lunch), SAR265 (dinner). Al Open daily 6am-11am, noon-4pm, 7pm-11.30pm. Friday brunch noon-4pm. Faisaliah Hotel, King Fahad Road, Olaya, mandarinoriental.com (011 273 2005).
Flavours All Day Dining at Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana
Flavours All Day Dining – perched on the mezzanine level just above the lobby of Olaya’s Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana – is compact but consistent. A steady rotation of meat dishes including pastas, stroganoffs and simple grilled meats sit alongside a small selection of breads, including what may be the city’s softest dinner rolls and an abundant supply of Arabic flatbread. Although you won’t find exotic varieties here, the cheese selection is solid and there are plenty of side dishes to choose from, as well as a make-your-own salad station. Desserts include the staple om ali (Egyptian bread pudding) as well as baklava trays and bowl-based treats such as chocolate mousse and fruit salad. Live cooking stations are available at breakfast time, but at dinner it’s a help-yourself setup. While not the most luxurious or opulent buffet in the city, the service is quick and, crucially, drinks are included in the bill – the helpful staff will happily serve up coffees for hours past dinner time if you’re busy working away. An à la carte menu is also available with mixed grills, pastas and other dishes prepared fresh from the kitchen.
SAR149. Open daily 7am-10.30am, 12.30-3.30pm, 7pm-11pm. Al Olaya Street, Olaya, rotana.com (011 447 9888).
Texas de Brazil
Texas de Brazil isn’t strictly a buffet restaurant (you’ll need to interact with staff to get hold of more meat) but it’s more than worthy of a spot on this list for its concept alone. After stocking up on dozens of dishes from the self-serve area – including moreish cheese bread, garlic mashed potatoes and a wide variety of salads and terrines – turn your card to green and someone will appear seemingly out of nowhere with a giant piece of grilled meat on a skewer. Best of all, they won’t stop carving until you turn your card red. Meats on offer include filet mignon, braised beef ribs and lamb chops cooked over an open flame, with premium cuts available at a supplement. Texas de Brazil is an international chain and perhaps not one for a special night out, but what it lacks in glamour is more than made up for in sheer quantity of all-you-can-eat meat. Try it at least once.
Prices vary depending on time, day and package selection. SAR210 (regular package), SAR259 (premium cuts). Open Sun-Wed 12.30pm-midnight, Thurs-Sat 12.30pm-1am. Rubeen Plaza, Exit 2, Northern Ring Branch Road, Hittin, texasdebrazil.com (011 211 1850).
Garden Restaurant
Cheap and cheerful, Garden Restaurant is an independent eatery offering a mixed Indian and Chinese buffet for lunch and dinner. Dishes include help-yourself curry favourites such as murgh tikka makhani (that’s butter chicken) and refreshing chickpea dishes like chana chaat. As might be expected, mountains of breads are on offer including butter naan and tandoori roti, all washed down with water or tea. On the weekends, the chefs have been known to whip up additional specials, and if you’re really craving something in particular the menu is full of meat platters which can be ordered from the kitchen at a supplement. For a quick, easy lunch or dinner on a budget, Garden Restaurant is well worth a visit.
Prices vary depending on time and day. SAR45 (weekday lunch and most dinners, adults), SAR29 (weekday lunch and most dinners, kids). Open Sat-Wed noon-4pm and 6.30pm-midnight, Thu and Fri noon-4pm and 6.30pm-12.30am. King Saud Road, As Sulimaniyah (011 445 5528).
