These Via Riyadh restaurants are now accepting reservations

The excitement surrounding Via Riyadh is palpable.

Opening on Friday, 12 May, the Kingdom’s highly anticipated retail, restaurant and entertainment destination Via Riyadh is set to bring celebrity chefs, state-of-the-art cinemas, world-famous fashion brands, and a five-star hotel to the Saudi capital. Translated: that’s 23 shops, 17 restaurants, seven cinemas and one hotel. 

But the excitement doesn’t end there. Modern Family star Sofia Vergara has been enlisted to help promote the new lifestyle hub, appearing in an advertising campaign where she is seen walking through high-end boutiques, dining at restaurants and relaxing inside a cinema. The video ends with the American-Colombian star saying: “Shine like a star, don’t forget to spoil yourself a bit, Via Riyadh is the place to be.”

And judging by the culinary clout involved, we’re included to agree with superstar Sofia. While we wait with bated breath for the openings of Gymkhana, Sexy Fish and WAGYUMAFIA, six of the new Via Riyadh restaurants are now accepting reservations.

café ELLE

Fashion and food might not go together like Dolce and Gabbana, but café ELLE has flipped the switch. The casual café brings to life the world-famous magazine. The concept celebrates the French art de vivre, and has Insta-worthy, delicate dishes – obviously. The café can be found in Bangkok, Shanghai and Tokyo. Now you can strike a pose at the Via Riyadh branch.

ferdi

It’s rare that a restaurant can attract the attention of current top models, but that’s the allure of Ferdi. Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Gigi Hadid are just a few of the famous faces that have been spotted at this Parisian establishment. With additional locations in Geneva and London, Ferdi is now introducing its sophisticated ambience to Saudi Arabia. Menus from other global locations have featured a variety of dishes, ranging from seafood to salads. And despite the presence of toys, this establishment is geared towards chic adults.

Les Deux Magots

Ernest Hemmingway, James Baldwin and Pablo Picasso walk into a restaurant. Nope, this isn’t the beginning of a joke, but what actually happened – albeit at different times – at Les Deux Magots. The Parisian restaurant, which opened its doors in 1885, has long been a favourite of the bohemian crowd. The Les Deux Magots’ menu in Riyadh draws inspiration from the Paris location and includes club sandwiches, omelettes, steaks and freshly baked viennoiseries. Check out our FACT First Look for more on this chic Parisian café.

Over Under 

It’s no secret that Saudis have an appreciation for a quality cup of coffee, which is why it’s exciting to hear that a London-based café is bringing its concept to Via Riyadh. The idea was initially conceived by Ed Barry in 2017, who fell in love with exploring the cafés of New York City during his time there. With six existing locations in London, this brand is now making its international debut. It offers the opportunity to enjoy a perfect blend of the Big Apple and Big Smoke right here in Riyadh.

Raoul’s

If Raoul’s is good enough for A-listers like Al Pacino and Kate Moss, it’s definitely worth a visit for the rest of us. This New York bistro, known for its Parisian cuisine, has been serving up delicious dishes since 1975. As Raoul’s makes its way to Via Riyadh, the menu is divided up into petit plats a partager, entrées, plats principaux, sides and desserts. The signature dishes include Raoul’s Burger and Steak Au Poivre. The entrées range from Escargots a la Bordelaise to Steak Tartare. The plats principaux range from Lamb Navarin to Lobster Thermidor. Plus, the dessert includes a Crème Brulee, Profiteroles and Sticky Date Pudding. For more on this New York bistro serving Parisian cuisine, visit our FACT First Look.

Spago by Wolfgang Puck

It’s likely that Wolfgang Puck has served more A-list celebrities than you’ve had hot meals – he was the go-to chef for the Academy Awards for over two decades. His flagship restaurant, Spago, is located in Beverly Hills, California and combines Italian and West Coast cuisine, with the name itself translating to “string”. Having been in operation for 40 years, it’s safe to say that Spago has stood the test of time and continues to be a popular dining spot. 

GO: Visit www.viariyadh.com for reservations and more information.