Roll up, roll up. Riyadh Season is underway and has a jam-packed schedule of concerts, plays and exhibitions, but between all of that culture, you’ll be working up an appetite. So fill yourself up at one of these exciting restaurants at Riyadh Season, which are offering one-off dining experiences to suit every taste and budget.
A meal curated by Saudi’s very own Prince Khaled, anyone? You’re in luck. Choose from Michelin-starred meals, celebrity chefs and world-famous brands that have all made their way (albeit, temporarily) to Riyadh. On your marks, get set, eat.
3Fils
This Dubai born brand is a firm favourite with UAE locals, residents and chefs. It has a stellar reputation for serving spectacular sushi, which ranges from spicy tuna to crispy eel. The unpretentious food served in an unassuming setting is already a hit with our neighbours, and we are sure it will be just as popular here.
instagram.com/3.fils
Akiba Dori
The streets of Akihabara in Tokyo are coming to Riyadh. While the restaurant serves a mix of Japanese food and pizza, the Dubai venue itself is popular with gamers for its anime-inspired interiors and old-school arcades. So we imagine there’ll be a touch of tech and its signature neon signs in this eatery, which will be opening on Riyadh Boulevard and later in Jeddah.
akibadori.com
Barmasa
Boasting not one but three Michelin stars, Barmasa is a New York favourite that serves up fine dining Japanese food. There are offshoots in New York and another in Las Vegas, but now it will be one of the restaurants at Riyadh Season. Chef Masa Takayama puts a modern spin on classics, such as the pecking duck with foie gras tacos. If you’re after a refined night out, then this promises to deliver.
barmasanyc.com
Gymkhana
This restaurant may hail from London, but it feels like you’ve stepped back in time into a gymkhana (social club) in colonial India. If you thought curries were all about sloppy servings, Gymkhana shows that Indian food can have some serious finesse – that’s why it nabbed a Michelin star. Order the kid goat methi keema, then take your pick from the game and chops menu. Popular with celebrities – Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and the Beckhams have been spotted here – it is on the pricey side, but worth every riyal.
gymkhanalondon.com
Hell’s Kitchen
If you haven’t heard of Hell’s Kitchen, you may well have been in a food coma. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has turned this into a global brand – there’s the TV show (famous for his rants) alongside restaurants in Las Vegas and Dubai. The restaurant’s signature dishes include beef wellington and sticky toffee pudding, so expect British classics served in a swanky setting. So if you can stand the heat, head to Hell’s Kitchen.
caesars.com/dubai/restaurants/gordon-ramsay-hells-kitchen
Fat Sal’s
While many of the restaurants we are getting excited about are swanky little numbers, this American fast food joint is worthy of a spot on the list. The Californian brand has been going for more than ten years. The monster-sized burgers and sandwiches are so epic, you’ll feel like a hero when you’ve finished one.
fatsalsdeli.com
Folia
Two vegan icons, Matthew Kenney and Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, have joined forces to launch Folia especially for Riyadh Season. The Vegan Prince chatted to us about the venture and shared that you can expect a multi-course plant-based menu.
fourseasons.com/riyadh/dining/restaurants/matthew_kenney
Jon & Vinnys
It’s all about pizzas and pasta at this Los Angeles restaurant, which has a relaxed – stay for the tiramisu – vibe. Famous for its pasta and hand-tossed pizza, order the whopper breakfast pizza which is packed with toppings including potato, egg, red onion, rosemary and parmesan.
jonandvinnys.com.
Petit Trois
Hold onto your berets, it’s all about French classics here, from escargots (snails, of course) coated in butter to French onion soup. Hailing from Los Angeles, you’ll feel like an American in Paris. The dishes are all picture perfect and tres romantic – we’d expect nothing else from a chic venue celebrating the city of love.
instagram.com/petittroisla
Philippe
For an authentic taste of China, head to Philippe. Executive chef, Philippe Chow was born in China, then moved to New York. He has been serving Manhattan’s elite for more than 15 years and is bringing his foodie magic to Riyadh Season. Inspired by Beijing cuisine, he brings the flavours of the east to the Middle East. Dig into dishes ranging from tofu vegetable stir-fries to crispy duck.
philippechow.com
Raoul’s
Raoul’s is a classic New York bistro and made a name for itself, as it has been serving Parisian cuisine since the 1970s. Bringing a touch of je ne sais quoi to Riyadh – come for the steaks and fries, then stay for the glamorous atmosphere.
raouls.com
Scott’s
If you love seafood, then make a beeline for this London institution that is one of the upmarket restaurants at Riyadh Season. Scott’s oozes sophistication, as there is a dedicated shellfish, oyster and caviar menu. It’s all white tablecloth fancy, but expect excellent service and a real attention to detail. The original restaurant has been serving customers since 1851, so it must be doing something right and boasts James Bond creator, Ian Fleming, as a regular visitor.
scotts-restaurant.com
Sexy Fish
With a name like this, you can see why this is one of the ultimate influencer restaurants. Coming all the way from London, it is a place to watch and be watched, so dress up and dig in. Sexy Fish is all about fine dining Japanese cuisine but in a, well, sexy setting. Grab the chopsticks and try sushi, sashimi, tiradito and tempura, while its fish dishes range from lobster to tuna steak.
sexyfish.capricebookings.com
Spago
This is one of the restaurants at Riyadh Season where you can dine like a celebrity. Wolfgang Puck has been the chef of choice for the Oscars for more than 20 years, which means he has fed almost every A-lister. Spago is his flagship in Beverly Hills, California – sprag is Italian for string and it’s all about the mix of Italian influences with West Coast cuisine. Highlights on the menu include pizza with black truffle and veal tartare.
wolfgangpuck.com/dining/spago
