From upmarket eats to casual treats, these are the best new restaurants in Riyadh.
Keeping track of all the new restaurant openings in the Kingdom is a full-time job, with new names opening across KAFD, Diriyah, VIA Riyadh, Laysen Valley and beyond. But if you love finding the latest hotspots for breakfast, lunch and dinner before anyone else, then this is the place for you. Whether you’re planning breakfast, lunch, dinner or a late-night catch-up, these are the best new restaurants in Riyadh to have on your radar.
Amar
Jeddah’s popular Amar restaurant has arrived in Riyadh, bringing the brand’s elevated Lebanese dining to Tahliya Street. Set in La Corte Mall, the restaurant pairs classic hospitality with a modern atmosphere designed for long, social meals. Follows the blueprint of the Jeddah original, expect a menu rooted in tradition, from mezze and familiar Levantine starters to charcoal-grilled favourites and generous sharing-style mains. Signature dishes include Kebbeh Nayyeh, Fattet Shrimps, Shish Taouk and loaded Shawarma platters. For those with a sweet tooth, traditional Lebanese desserts will also take centre stage, with Knafeh, Pain Perdu, Ghazal Amar and Umm Ali among the highlights.
Where: Amar, Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz, Al Mathar Ash Shamali, Riyadh
When: Open daily from 12pm to 1am
Contact: www.amarrestaurants.com
Apple Butter
Apple Butter has brought a taste of London to Riyadh, opening in KAFD as an all-day café-restaurant built for brunches, working lunches and late-afternoon sweet fixes. The menu leans into crowd-pleasing comfort with Truffle Scrambled Eggs served all day, plus mains like Butter Chicken, Prawn Marinara Pasta and a Wagyu Beef Burger. Save room for dessert, where Pistachio Umm Ali and Saffron Milk Cake steal the spotlight. Coffee, tea and mocktails round out the offering. Inside, cosy interiors centre on an Instagrammable apple tree that anchors the room.
Where: Apple Butter, KAFD, Riyadh, 13519
When: Open daily from 8am to midnight
Contact: @applebutter.ksa
Berenjak Riyadh
Berenjak brings London-born Persian dining to VIA Riyadh, marking the brand’s first permanent restaurant in Saudi Arabia. Inspired by the bustling kabab houses of Tehran, the restaurant is known for charcoal-grilled kebabs, fragrant rice, generous mazeh and a lively, shared-table atmosphere. Expect signature dishes rooted in founder Kian Samyani’s family recipes, with bold spices, open-fire cooking and the comforting flavours that helped Berenjak earn a Michelin Bib Gourmand in London and a FACT Dining Award in Dubai. As one of the hottest new Riyadh restaurants right now, this outpost feels right at home among VIA Riyadh’s destination dining scene, offering a warm, stylish spot for casual dinners, group gatherings and flame-led feasts.
Where: Berenjak, VIA Riyadh, Makkah Al Mukarramah Road, Al Hada, Riyadh
When: Open daily from 6pm to midnight
Contact: @berenjak.ksa
B+F
B+F brings Kuwait’s cult burger scene to Riyadh with a new restaurant in Laysen Valley. The boutique burger concept is known for its open-flame charcoal cooking, giving its comfort-led menu a smoky, fire-kissed edge. Expect Classic Burgers in addition to Hot Dogs, Sliders, Ribs, Short-rib Rigatoni, Smoked-brisket Shawarma, charred salads, and Burnt Chocolate Cake, all of which add depth to the offering. With two branches in Kuwait and one in Qatar, B+F’s Riyadh arrival marks its fourth GCC location.
Where: B+F Riyadh, Laysen Valley. King Khalid Br Road, Al Gharbi, Riyadh
When: Open daily from 6pm to midnight
Contact: @bandfriyadh
Bistro & Co
Bistro & Co has opened at Edge Riyadh Al Rabie by Rotana, bringing an all-day social dining concept to the Saudi capital. Located in Al Rabie District, the restaurant has been designed for hotel guests and the wider community, moving from breakfast and speciality coffee to relaxed lunches and evening gatherings. Built around the philosophy “Eat, Drink, Chat,” Bistro & Co offers a flexible café-style setting with a contemporary dining edge. The menu spans international dishes, light plates, indulgent classics, mocktails and artisanal beverages, making it a versatile addition to Riyadh’s evolving restaurant scene.
Where: Bistro & Co, Edge Riyadh Al Rabie by Rotana, Al Thoumamah Road, Riyadh
Contact: @bistroandcosa
Candelina
Candelina brings a slice of Italy to Riyadh, serving feel-good Italian food in a setting inspired by bustling family kitchens and European charm. Located in Al Mohammadiyyah, the restaurant celebrates seasonal ingredients across a menu of comforting classics and indulgent signatures. Start with burrata, bruschetta, truffle-laced beef carpaccio or fried calamari and prawns, before moving on to homemade pasta, risotto and pizza. Highlights include lasagna with beef ragu, Tagliolino all’Astice with lobster, Candelina Pipe Rigate with stracciatella, and Tagliata di Manzo. For dessert, there’s tiramisu, panna cotta and mousse al cioccolato.
Where: Candelina, Al Takhassousi, Al Mohammadiyyah, Riyadh
When: Monday to Sunday from 6pm to midnight
Contact: www.candelina.me
Cipriani Dolci Riyadh
Cipriani Dolci has opened in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, marking the Italian brand’s debut in Saudi Arabia and one of the most anticipated new Riyadh restaurants. First announced for the Kingdom in 2023, the restaurant brings Cipriani’s Venetian heritage, all-day dining and celebrated desserts to one of the capital’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. Located close to Akira Back, the venue features green seating, white accents, maritime-inspired details and space for up to 170 guests across its indoor dining room and outdoor terrace. The menu includes Cipriani signatures such as Carpaccio alla Cipriani, Baked Tagliolini, Vanilla Meringue Cake and Torta di Cioccolato, alongside pastries and Italian coffee.
Where: Cipriani Dolci Riyadh, Al Safarat, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
When: Sunday to Thursday from 7.30am to 12am, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 1am
Contact: www.cipriani.com
Cleaver Steak
The newly-opened Cleaver Steak brings a bold, meat-led dining experience to Riyadh’s Al Olaya district. The restaurant is built around fire, flavour and generous plates, making it a strong choice for carnivores craving a laid-back steakhouse meal. The menu spans premium cuts, charcoal-grilled lamb chops, juicy burgers, chicken strips and indulgent sides, with enough variety for both casual dinners and group gatherings. Expect a fuss-free setting where the focus stays firmly on the food, from well-seared steaks to loaded plates designed for sharing. Whether you are visiting for a quick burger or settling in for a full steak dinner, Cleaver keeps things satisfyingly simple.
Where: Cleaver Steak, Musa Ibn Nusair Street, Al Olaya, Riyadh
When: Daily from 12pm to 2am
Contact: @cleaver_steak
Em Sherif Sea Café
Em Sherif Sea Café has opened in Riyadh’s Laysen Valley, bringing a seafood-focused take on the celebrated Lebanese restaurant group’s signature Levantine hospitality. Inspired by Lebanon’s historic connection to the Mediterranean, the restaurant combines fresh seafood, warm service and elegant surroundings. The menu centres on the catch of the day, allowing guests to choose from the display bar before it is prepared to their preference. Diners can also explore cold and hot mezze, traditional Levantine favourites and contemporary dishes. Highlights include Raw Red Sea Bream, Shrimp Provençale and Samak Rass Asfour, alongside vegetarian options such as Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Hindbeh bil Zeit and Lentil Kibbeh. A beef bar offers grilled cuts including ribeye, striploin and Wagyu tenderloin.
Where: Em Sherif Café, Laysen Valley, Riyadh
When: Open daily from 7pm to midnight
Contact: https://emsherifcafe.sa
Franco’s Cucina
Franco’s Cucina brings a taste of Italy to InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh Resort & Spa, adding a rustic trattoria-style restaurant to the resort’s dining line-up. Inspired by Tuscany and the flavours of Southern Italy, the restaurant focuses on the joy of gathering around good food, with handcrafted pastas, wood-fired pizzas and seasonal dishes made for sharing. The menu includes Italian favourites such as lasagne, ossobuco and signature pizzas, served in a relaxed setting with indoor seating and an outdoor terrace overlooking the resort’s natural surroundings. Open for dinner, Franco’s Cucina offers one of the warmest, family-friendly additions to the new Riyadh restaurants.
Where: Franco’s Cucina, InterContinental Durrat Al Riyadh, Banban, Riyadh
Contact: www.ihg.com
Haru
Whether you’re team sashimi, can’t say no to a crispy tempura moment, or are forever chasing the city’s best maki, the capital’s appetite for all things Japan continues to grow. Haru has officially opened in Riyadh on Al Takhassousi Street, landing in a prime pocket surrounded by some of the neighbourhood’s most popular dining destinations. Seating is arranged bar-style beside the open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs assemble each dish in real time. It’s intimate and engaging, with the focus firmly on fresh food and a front-row view of the action. As for the menu, Haru offers the classics, along with plenty of crowd-pleasers for sharing. Start light with miso soup or a signature salad, then move into favourites like shrimp tempura, tuna tartare and beef gyoza. Sushi fans can keep it traditional with salmon or seabass nigiri, or go for rolls like spicy salmon, California, and the house Haru maki. When you’re in the mood for something heartier, there are comforting mains like shrimp yaki udon, seafood fried rice and katsu curry to round out the meal.
Where: Haru, Al Takhassousi Street, Riyadh, 12384
When: Open daily from 3pm to 1am
Contact: @haru__ksa
Jade Room
Jade Room has soft-launched in Riyadh, bringing contemporary Chinese cuisine to a stylish setting on Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road. The menu combines familiar flavours with modern presentation. Highlights include crispy chicken wontons, crystal prawn dumplings, crispy chilli-garlic seabass, Hunan stir-fried beef with chilli and coriander, Kung Pao chicken, and seafood fried noodles. Desserts range from chocolate lava cake to strawberry cheesecake. The drinks menu also features Asian-inspired mocktails, including Jasmine Green Chai, Jade and Tonic, Green Tea Basil Fizz and Canton Mule.
Where: Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road, Al Malqa, Riyadh
When: Monday to Sunday, from 6pm to 1am.
Contact: @jaderoom.sa
Kantami
The capital’s appetite for new restaurant openings shows no sign of slowing, and the latest name on everyone’s list is Kantami in Riyadh. The Al Khobar original has earned a loyal following for its bold take on Japanese cuisine, and now the brand has brought its energy to the capital with a new outpost at Nawaf Square in Al Malqa. Kantami draws inspiration from Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing ceramics with gold. The atmosphere is cinematic, with a modern izakaya feel that is casual and social, equally suited to a quick bite or a long, unhurried meal with friends. On the menu, classic Japanese techniques sit alongside playful, evolving twists. Highlights begin with appetisers like Roripoppu Prawn Lollipops, wrapped in a crisp shell and served with a punchy house sauce. For mains, Azabu Salmon Donburi pairs miso-butter-glazed grilled salmon with seasoned rice and dashi-simmered onions, served with a small bowl of miso soup.
Where: Kantami, 3634 Anas Ibn Malik Road, Al Malqa, Riyadh, 13524
When: Open daily from 12:30pm to 12:30am
Contact: @kantami.sa
LIZA
LIZA has arrived at Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah, bringing its Beirut-born, Paris-polished take on Lebanese dining to the capital. Built around the motto “Beyrouth je t’aime”, the restaurant pairs an elegant setting with a lively, social energy. The kitchen celebrates classic Lebanese flavours, from mezze made for sharing to charcoal-kissed grills and comfort dishes lifted by herbs, spice and citrus. Set within one of the capital’s most scenic dining destinations, it is an easy pick for a long lunch or a buzzy evening with friends. Reservations are recommended as this is one of the busiest new restaurants in Riyadh right now.
Where: LIZA Riyadh, Bujairi Terrace, Wadi Hanifah, Diriyah
When: Open daily from 12pm to 1am
Contact: www.lizariyadh.com
Mahsan
Mahsan brings an immersive Anatolian dining experience to Riyadh’s Shorofat Park. The restaurant offers a more story-driven take on Turkish cuisine, moving beyond the familiar grills and kebabs to explore the depth of Anatolia’s culinary history. Led by Chef Omur Akkor, the concept draws on archaeology, food heritage and regional recipes shaped by thousands of years of civilisation. The interiors reinforce the journey, with earthy textures, warm lighting and Turkish design details creating a setting that feels transportive and deeply atmospheric. The menu revisits dishes from Gaziantep, Adana, Kilis and Central Anatolia, including Dolma, Sarma, charcoal-grilled meats, Harees and Keskek. Mahsan stands out by combining culinary storytelling with refined execution.
Where: Mahsan Riyadh, Shorofat Park, Riyadh
When: Daily from 4pm to 12am
Contact: @mahsan.ksa
Neeraj
Neeraj brings a refined taste of India to The Esplanade Mall in Riyadh. The restaurant combines a modern setting with a menu built around familiar flavours, fragrant spices and comforting classics. Expect a selection of North Indian favourites, including Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Paneer Butter Masala, Mutton Handi and Biryani, alongside grilled kebabs, fresh naan and cooling drinks such as Mango Lassi. With indoor and outdoor seating, Neeraj offers a relaxed spot for family meals, casual dinners and spice-led feasts.
Where: Neeraj, The Esplanade, Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal, Riyadh
When: Open daily from 1pm to 12:30am
Contact: @neerajksa
Sigo Tacos
Sigo Tacos brings bold Mexican flavours to Riyadh’s Hittin Promenade. The homegrown taco house keeps things casual, colourful and flavour-led, serving a menu built around tacos, loaded burritos and quesadillas. Expect fresh fillings, punchy sauces and an easygoing atmosphere that works for quick bites, casual catch-ups and relaxed dinners with friends. Compact, contemporary and unpretentious, Sigo Tacos taps into Riyadh’s growing appetite for street food-inspired dining.
Where: Sigo, Hittin, Riyadh, 12362
When: Open daily from 2pm to 3am
Contact: @sigotacos
Sira
Sira brings Latin American flair to W Riyadh – KAFD, the first W Hotels property in Saudi Arabia. Set within King Abdullah Financial District, the restaurant is centred on open-fire cooking, with Latin American-inspired dishes prepared in an open kitchen for added theatre. Expect bold flavours, vibrant energy and a social dining atmosphere, with a central bar serving crafted mocktails. As part of the hotel’s wider dining line-up, which also includes Beni, WET Deck and W Lounge, Sira adds a fiery new dimension to Riyadh’s growing restaurant scene and makes for one of the best new restaurants in Riyadh right now.
Where: Sira, W Riyadh – KAFD, King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh, 13519
When: Open daily from 12:30pm to 10pm
Contact: @sirakafd
The Thai Table
The Thai Table has opened in Al Olaya, bringing the fragrant flavours of Thailand to the Saudi capital. The restaurant offers a relaxed and welcoming setting, with a menu that combines comforting Thai classics and contemporary creations. Starters include Golden Spring Rolls, Sesame Prawn Toast, Chicken Satay, and Shrimp Tom Yum, while mains span Pad Thai, Sticky Cashew Chicken, Garlic Pepper Beef, and curries such as Short Rib Massaman, Red Curry, and Green Curry. Guests can also try the new dumplings, including Crunchy Open Beef Dumplings, Chicken Dumplings and Shrimp Sumai. For dessert, choose between Thai Crème Caramel and Mango Sticky Rice. Walk-ins are welcome.
Where: The Thai Table, Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi St, Al Olaya, Riyadh
When: Daily from 2pm to 11.30pm
Contact: @thaitable.sa
Thurya Restaurant
Thurya has opened at Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre, bringing a refined Lebanese dining experience to the Saudi capital. Named after the Arabic word for “star,” the restaurant celebrates Lebanese heritage through generous hospitality, jewel-toned interiors and Sofitel’s French art de vivre. The menu spans traditional hot and cold mezze, freshly baked saj, Josper-grilled meats and seafood, plus comforting tabkhat dishes such as Koussa, Warak Enab and Seafood Siyadiyeh. Desserts include warm Umm Ali and Mouhalibiyeh Brûlé.
Where: Thurya, Sofitel Riyadh Hotel & Convention Centre, 6218 Al Urubah Road, Ar Rahmaniyyah, Riyadh
When: Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm to 11pm
Contact: https://sofitel.accor.com
The Vinyl Ember
Tucked on the first floor of Kimpton KAFD Riyadh, The Vinyl Ember is an American grill where fire and vinyl share top billing. Expect an open-fire kitchen, moody lighting and a chef’s counter, backed by curated playlists that lean soulful as the night deepens. Set in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, it’s a sleek speakeasy-style hideaway for late nights and after-work fun. The menu focuses on bold, elevated grill classics, while zero-proof cocktails keep the tempo high, making this spot one of the best new restaurants in Riyadh right now.
Where: The Vinyl, Kimpton KAFD Riyadh, KAFD, Riyadh
When: Open daily from 5:30pm to 1am
Contact: @thevinylember
UPLIFT
Khobar-born dining concept UPLIFT has opened in Riyadh, bringing its creative comfort food and elevated casual dining experience to Solitaire Mall. Located on the first floor, the restaurant joins the mall’s growing collection of lifestyle and dining destinations, including the FACT award-winning Jon & Vinny’s. Describing itself as an upper-class casual dining restaurant, UPLIFT combines bold flavours, unexpected pairings and a relaxed yet energetic atmosphere. The menu draws inspiration from American, Italian and Japanese cuisines, with standout dishes including Hot Wild Shrimp, Short Ribs Therapy, Stopless Chicken Bites, Side Kick Shrimp, Beef Skewers and Chicken Lofty Tower. Guests can also enjoy pasta, salads, burgers, tacos, desserts, kids’ meals and coffee.
Where: UPLIFT Riyadh, Solitaire Mall, Riyadh
When: Daily from 12pm to 12am
Contact: @uplift_ksa
Ziba
Expanding across the Kingdom, the Persian restaurant Ziba from Al Khobar has now opened in Riyadh. The interiors embody Persian artistry, unfolding like a living museum where Heriz carpets and symbolic details reflect centuries of Persian craftsmanship and perfectly complement Ziba’s exquisite Persian cuisine. The menu ranges from mixed grills to flavourful rice dishes. Traditional dishes include Mezze Platter, Ghormeh Sabzi, Joojeh Kebab, Ziba Gourmet Grill Platter, Tahchin E Morgh, Chelo Mahicheh, Kashk-O-Badamjan, Rice with Zereshk (Barberry) and much more.
Where: Ziba, Hittin, Riyadh, 13516
When: Open daily from 12pm to 2am
Contact: https://zibarestaurant.com