Restaurants, chefs, trends – all of these things change daily in Riyadh. But the principles on which the Time Out brand were founded have not, and never will. Here’s a bit about how Time Out Riyadh restaurant reviews are conducted when we visit restaurants, cafés and coffee shops in the city.
Anonymity: Time Out Riyadh’s team of reviewers visit restaurants throughout the year, always booking under a pseudonym and always paying for their own meals. This ensures they experience every meal as a regular paying customer, and receive no special treatment.
Integrity: Good, bad or ugly, Time Out’s reviewers tell the truth about their experiences.
Independence: Time Out’s team of reviewers are not influenced in any way by Time Out advertisers, partners or friends.
Expertise: Time Out reviewers are serial “doers”. They’re out every night of the week, in all corners of the city, to ensure they’re real local experts. And with a team comprised of nationalities from all over the world, who’ve lived and dined in countries all over the world, there is no dish too daring, no trend too twee, for them to sink their teeth into.
Value for money: The Time Out Riyadh brand is committed to telling its readers the best things to do and places to eat in town, saving its readers both time and money. A restaurant’s value for money offering is assessed with every review. We do not set a limit on the cost of the final bill, there is no numeric cut-off point. It is the overall quality of the dining experience, measured against a number of criteria, that determines a restaurant’s value.
Time Out Riyadh’s criteria
In order to maintain Time Out Riyadh’s core values, the brand’s reviewers always dine anonymously, always pay for their meals, and always judge an outlet against a set criteria.
• Quality of food
• Level of service
• Restaurant setting
• Ambience and atmosphere
• Selection of beverages
• Overall value for money
Time Out Riyadh’s reviewers
With arguably the best job in the city, Time Out Riyadh’s team of reviewers is made up of full-time employees of the brand, who dine out all over the city every single week of the year.
As part of the wider Time Out Riyadh brand principle that all staff are local experts, Time Out reviewers have in-depth knowledge of the city’s ever-evolving food and dining scene.
Comprised of nationalities from every corner of the world, Time Out reviewers are united in their passion for food, from exploring seven-course degustations to seven-riyal shawarmas, all in the name of unearthing the best quality and best value dining experiences for Time Out’s audience.
For reviews of the latest restaurants, click here.
For the Time Out Riyadh Restaurant Awards 2022 shortlist, click here.
Then click here to see the full list of Time Out Riyadh Restaurant Awards winners.
