Dine like a celebrity at these Riyadh restaurants

From Clap to Le Maschou, this is where Cristiano Ronaldo, DJ Khaled and Kanye West have dined in the Saudi capital.

Saudis are more accustomed to seeing Hollywood A-listers and sports superstars on their screens, rather than the streets of Riyadh. Yet, as the Kingdom repositions itself as a tourist destination, the capital’s burgeoning restaurant scene has seen an influx of celebrity diners, from David Guetta and Lionel Messi to Neymar and Sofia Vergara. If you want to make like the superstars, here are the dining destinations to frequent.

Clap Riyadh

Cristiano Ronaldo bought the romance on Valentine’s Day, as he treated his partner to a meal at Clap. Not afraid to share his feelings, he declared on Instagram: “Happy Valentine’s Day meu amor! So lucky to have you in my life!” The pair were pictured with their arms around each other, and smiling inside the restaurant. Clap first started as a pop-up during Riyadh Season, and is now located in Ramla Terraza. 

GO: Visit www.claprestaurant.com for more information.

Billionaire Riyadh

Even if you’re not a billionaire, you’ll be treated like one at the FACT Award-winning Billionaire Riyadh. Created by Formula 1’s Flavio Briatore, the luxury hospitality brand has already been successful in Dubai. The food is presented with a theatrical touch and spans Asian to Italian, from sushi and sashimi to burrata and ravioli. Make like DJ Khaled, who visited the venue before his performance at MDLBeast Sandstorm 2022, and order the Lobster Salad. Read our FACT review here.

GO: Visit https://billionairesociety.com for reservations and more information.

Hakkasan Riyadh

The Hakkasan brand has earned global acclaim for its exquisite Cantonese cuisine, setting a standard of excellence in the culinary world. With its London and Dubai branches already boasting MICHELIN Stars, Hakkasan has brought its renowned reputation to Riyadh, embracing the stylish and sophisticated ambience inspired by Shanghai. The menu showcases an array of signature dishes that have garnered acclaim worldwide, including grilled Chilean Seabass in honey, Crispy Duck Salad, and delicate Dim Sum. Legendary footballer and Saudi Tourism brand ambassador Lionel Messi was spotted in the Bujairi Terrace venue when the FACY team dined there in the summer of 2023. Read our FACT review here.

GO: Follow @hakkasanriyadh on Instagram for reservations and more information.

Iris Café

Iris Café inside Riyadh’s Ramla Terraza development is a serene spot. Pass the little lake and tall trees, and you’ll find this cute café. With venues in Bahrain, Lebanon and Qatar, it’s loved for its international menu. Do as Cristiano Ronaldo did when he visited with Georgina Rodríguez in September 2023, and settle into one of the semi-circle sofas while watching the chefs work some dry ice theatrics on the desserts.

GO: Follow @ramlaterraza on Instagram for more information. 

Le Maschou

Fine dining French restaurant Le Maschou has welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo, David Guetta and Steve Aiko into its comforting confines. Located in the heart of Riyadh’s vibrant Al Safarat neighbourhood, the restaurant offers diners an epicurean journey through French cuisine. The original Le Maschou can be found in Cannes, but the Riyadh outpost captures much of the charm of the French flagship, with brushed stone walls, atmospheric lighting, bold artworks and antique mirrors. The rustic ambience is complemented by hearth-roasted ingredients from the open fire, where popular choices include dry-aged beef, roasted chicken and salmon fillets.

GO: Follow lemaschou_sa on Instagram for more information.

Madeo

Few restaurants in the world have been namechecked by rappers. Hollywood’s Madeo has made its way into Drake’s Diplomatic Immunity, where he rhymes “I prefer Madeo, calamari rings and tomato”. Now, if you want to make like the superstar, you don’t have to board a plane, as the West Hollywood dining hotspot has opened in Via Riyadh. Footballer Neymar, who moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Al Hilal, has been seen dining at this Italian favourite. Read our FACT review here.

GO: Visit https://coolinc.com.sa for reservations and more information.

Smokey Beards Q

During a recent visit to the Kingdom to watch Riyadh Season’s Battle of the Baddest boxing match, Ye (the artist formally known as Kanye West) was spotted at the FACT Award-winning Smokey Beards Q in Hittin. Kanye was photographed with rapper-turned-restaurateur, Mutah Beale, who was previously part of Tupac’s group The Outlawz. He posted a picture of Kanye inside the restaurant with the caption, “Come check us out @smokeybeardsq you won’t regret, In shaa Allah.” We’re not sure if Kanye tried the brisket or the ribs, but the FACT favourite has become the talk of the town.

GO: Follow @smokeybeardsq on Instagram for more information.

Tatel Riyadh

If there’s anywhere that you’re most likely to rub shoulders with Cristiano Ronaldo, it would be at Tatel in Bujairi Terrace. The footballer has invested in the concept, and promoted it on his social media. Tatel is known for serving Spanish haute cuisine. The concept draws its inspiration from America’s prohibition era in the 1920s. Tatel Riyadh’s menu covers starters, salads, rice, pasta, fish, meat and chicken dishes. The desserts include the signature Tatel World Famous Cheesecake, which is one of the best we’ve ever had. 

GO: Visit https://tatelrestaurants.com for more information. 

Teruzushi

From The St. Regis Riyadh to designer stores and world-famous restaurants, every element of Via Riyadh has been carefully crafted to provide an extraordinary experience. Modern Family star Sofia Vergara starred in the advertising campaign for the opening of the luxury lifestyle destination and could be seen wandering the halls of the Via Mercato food hall. In the video, the Hollywood A-lister is seen snacking on sushi at Teruzushi under the watchful gaze of social media sensation Chef Takayoshi.

GO: Follow @viamercato.sa on Instagram for more information.