From wood-fired pizza to handmade pasta, these are Riyadh’s essential Italian restaurants.
Whether you’re craving pizzas from Naples or gelato from Florence, there’s a restaurant in Riyadh to suit your needs. The capital is packed with global and homegrown brands, which serve top-quality Italian food. So, leave room for tiramisu – here are the best Italian restaurants in Riyadh.
Agio
A taste of the Capri Coast comes to Hittin at this homegrown restaurant from Modern Food Company, the group behind Beefbar, MYAZŪ and Signor Sassi in Saudi Arabia. Agio channels coastal Italy through white tablecloths, rattan chairs, curved sofas and statement lighting, creating an elegant setting for long lunches and celebratory dinners. Chef Filippo Pagani’s menu moves confidently between antipasti, handmade pasta, pizza, seafood and meat, with a wood-fired oven adding depth and char. Signature choices include the Pizza Cecina, layered with tomato, buffalo mozzarella, stracciatella, cured beef and Parmesan, alongside veal Milanese and ravioli. Finish with gelato or tiramisu for the full Italian experience.
Where: Agio, Northern Ring Road, Hittin, Riyadh
When: Daily from 1pm to midnight
Contact: @agiosaudi
Altopiano
Saudi ingredients meet the flavours of Sicily at Altopiano, a homegrown restaurant overlooking the historic surroundings of Bujairi Terrace. The concept celebrates Southern Italian cooking while introducing subtle regional touches, resulting in food that feels familiar without becoming predictable. Start with the Altopiano Salad, where rocket, pomegranate, cheese and dates create a sweet and savoury bridge between Italy and Saudi Arabia. The stone-baked Truffle Pizza is another highlight, while the Pistacia Pasta coats pasta in a creamy pistachio pesto with plenty of character. Warm hospitality and a quieter position within the dining destination make it particularly well suited to relaxed dinners after exploring Diriyah.
Where: Altopiano, Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah, Riyadh
When: Daily from 4pm to 1am
Contact: @altopiano.sa
Azzurro
Set within The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, Azzurro offers classic Italian dining in one of the capital’s most opulent hotels. The restaurant’s marble details, grand columns and views across the indoor pool provide a memorable backdrop, while the menu keeps the focus on Italian ingredients and traditional technique. Current signatures include burrata with caramelised heirloom tomato, basil ice cream and crisp black olives, followed by roasted chicken in cacciatora sauce or grilled tuna with balsamic rosemary sauce. The concise selection favours seasonality rather than excess, and the terrace becomes particularly inviting in the evening. Leave room for The Ritz-Carlton Tiramisu or the Pistachio and Citrus Cake.
Where: Azzurro, The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, Al Hada, Riyadh
When: Daily from 6pm to midnight
Contact: www.ritzcarlton.com
Blu Pizzeriá
Born in the UAE before expanding to Riyadh, Blu Pizzeriá brings an inventive Middle Eastern perspective to Neapolitan-style pizza. The An Nakheel restaurant is relaxed but design-conscious, with dark timber, comfortable seating and greenery framing the dining room. Its sourdough bases emerge from the oven blistered and chewy, ready for toppings that move beyond the familiar. The Short Ribs combines Black Angus beef, caramelised onions and truffle white sauce, while the Musakhan layers sumac sauce, sautéed chicken, onions, roasted almonds, sour cream and balsamic glaze. Truffle fans should order the Tartufo, finished with truffle paste, oil and shavings. It is a strong choice for casual dinners and group pizza nights.
Where: Blu Pizzeriá, Takhassousi, An Nakheel, Riyadh
When: Daily from 6pm to 2am
Contact: @blupizzeria.sa
CARBONE Riyadh
Few restaurants deliver Italian-American glamour quite like CARBONE. Located in Ar Rabi, the Riyadh outpost channels the atmosphere of a mid-century New York dining room through confident service, nostalgic details and generously portioned red-sauce classics. The brand was created by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick, and its theatrical approach has attracted an international celebrity following. Riyadh diners can work through Mario’s Meatballs, Caesar alla ZZ and the world-famous Spicy Rigatoni before tackling Veal Parmesan or charcoal-grilled Wagyu. The menu is rich, recognisable and designed for sharing. Named ‘Favourite Italian Restaurant’ at the FACT Dining Awards Riyadh 2025, you can complete the occasion with Stracciatella Tiramisu, Carrot Cake or the Chocolate Hazelnut Tart.
Where: CARBONE Riyadh, Mansard Riyadh a Radisson Collection Hotel, Ar Rabi, Riyadh
When: Daily from 5pm to midnight
Contact: www.carboneksa.com
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
Built on the legacy of Harry’s Bar in Venice, Cipriani remains one of the world’s most recognisable Italian dining institutions. Its Riyadh restaurant carries the brand’s signature nautical palette, crisp tablecloths and attentive hospitality, creating a timeless backdrop for business lunches, family meals and special occasions. The menu favours simple preparations and high-quality ingredients, allowing each component to speak clearly. Signature dishes include Carpaccio alla Cipriani, created at Harry’s Bar in 1950, and the comforting Baked Tagliolini. Risotto Primavera is another house classic, while the Vanilla Meringue Cake provides a suitably light finish. The appeal lies in consistency, heritage and a service style built around the family motto, “to serve is to love”.
Where: Cipriani, Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Rd, Hittin, Riyadh
When: Daily from 1pm to 12:30am
Contact: www.cipriani.com
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: Daily from 7.30am to 12am
Contact: www.cipriani.com
Crazy Pizza
Pizza comes with a side of theatre at Crazy Pizza, which has expanded across Riyadh with locations on Thalia Street, Oud Square and North Yard. The international concept is known for ultra-thin, crisp pizzas made with low-yeast dough and Italian wheat flour, then finished with premium toppings. Signature choices include the earthy Tartufo and indulgent Pata Negra, while antipasti, pasta and Milanese cutlets broaden the menu beyond its namesake dish. Dessert keeps the spectacle going through tiramisu prepared tableside and the decadent Crazy Cake. Music, DJ sets and the brand’s spinning-dough performances give each meal an upbeat, celebratory rhythm, making Crazy Pizza a strong choice for lively dinners, birthdays and late-night gatherings rather than a quiet neighbourhood supper.
Where: Crazy Pizza, Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi St, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh
When: Daily from 1pm to 1:30am
Contact: https://crazypizza.com
Il Baretto
London neighbourhood charm translates remarkably well to Riyadh at Il Baretto, a multiple FACT Dining Award winner with a loyal local following. Restaurateurs Arjun Waney and Giuliano Lotto created the concept around straightforward Italian food, convivial service and a dining room that feels lively without becoming overwhelming. The menu offers plenty of reasons to return, from Wagyu Bresaola and Burrata di Andria to Beef Carpaccio with Black Truffle. Pasta is a particular strength. Gnocchi Ripieni al Tartufo is filled with burrata and black truffle, while Fettuccine all’Aragosta combines homemade pasta, lobster, sweet chilli and fresh tomato. For groups, the whole lobster linguine makes a fitting centrepiece.
Where: Il Baretto, King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh
When: Daily from 12:30pm to midnight
Contact: https://ilbaretto.sa
Jon & Vinny’s
Los Angeles energy meets Italian-American comfort food at Jon & Vinny’s, the all-day diner created by chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo. The FACT award-winning Riyadh branches are bright, informal and family-friendly, serving breakfast before moving into pizzas, handmade pasta, salads and substantial mains. Pizza remains the main draw. The L.A. Woman arrives with local burrata, tomato, basil and olive oil, while The Rosy keeps things simple with tomato and an olive oil crust. Other favourites include the Bronx Bomber with fennel sausage and the Spicy Fusilli with basil and Parmesan. Save space for Nonna’s Lemon Ricotta Cookie, tiramisu or the hefty Double Chocolate Cake with vanilla custard.
Where: Jon & Vinny’s, Turki Ibn Abdullah Al Saud, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh
When: Daily from 9am to 12:30am
Contact: www.jonandvinnysksa.com
Juno
Qatar’s popular Italian-inspired restaurant has found a second home at Laysen Valley, bringing a flexible menu suited to long lunches and late dinners. The dining room balances contemporary details with a relaxed, sociable mood, while the food moves between familiar favourites and richer crowd-pleasers. Start with the Stuffed Burrata or Mini Truffle Arancini before choosing one of the wood-fired pizzas. The J Truffle Pizza is among the house signatures, while the Saffron Shrimp Risotto offers a more substantial route through the menu. Truffle Madaldini and the restaurant’s small sliders add further variety. Juno works particularly well for mixed groups, with enough pizza, pasta, salads and sharing plates to keep everyone happy.
Where: Juno, Laysen Valley, Umm Al Hamam Al Gharbi, Riyadh
When: Daily from 12pm to 1am
Contact: @juno.ksa
Madeo Ristorante
West Hollywood institution Madeo brings Tuscan cooking and decades of family history to VIA Riyadh. Founded by Alfio Vietina and operated with his wife Elvira Buffoni and sons Gianni and Nicola, the restaurant is known for generous hospitality and traditional recipes served in an elegant setting of brass, warm wood, curved booths and a semi-open kitchen. The menu centres on familiar Tuscan flavours rather than culinary theatrics. Penne Madeo with veal Bolognese is a signature order, while the Cotoletta di Vitello Milanese delivers a crisp, golden veal cutlet cooked in clarified butter. Pasta e Fagioli and porcini-rich dishes reinforce the restaurant’s comforting approach.
Where: Madeo, VIA Riyadh, Al Hada, Riyadh
When: Daily from 6pm to midnight
Contact: https://coolinc.com.sa
Mamo Michelangelo
Lemon trees, market-style displays and rustic details bring the spirit of the French Riviera to Mamo Michelangelo at Al Faisaliah Hotel. The original opened in Antibes in 1992, blending Italian cooking with the flavours of Provence, and the Riyadh restaurant retains that generous, ingredient-led approach. Truffle is a recurring theme, appearing in the signature Truffle Focaccia and delicate Truffle Raviolini. The Tournedos Rossini is the celebratory order, pairing tenderloin with foie gras, truffle and Périgueux sauce, while wood-fired lamb shoulder and creamy burrata offer further reasons to visit. Colourful crockery and a lively dining room add warmth, making Mamo a reliable choice for special occasions and leisurely lunches.
Where: Mamo Michelangelo, Al Fasialiah, Al Olaya, Riyadh
When: Daily from 12:30pm to 3pm and 7:30pm to midnight
Contact: https://mamo-michelangelo.com
Morini Riyadh
A slice of Italy by way of New York awaits inside Jareed Hotel. Morini shifts naturally from breakfast and lunch to a more atmospheric evening service, with hand-painted murals, Art Deco details and an Amalfi-inspired lemon tree giving the restaurant a distinctive visual identity. The menu travels across Italy rather than remaining tied to one region. Lobster Ravioli in tomato, chilli and basil sauce is the signature dish, balancing richness with gentle heat, while Gnocchi al Pomodoro provides a simpler expression of the kitchen. Golden Seared Salmon with asparagus broadens the selection beyond pasta, and tiramisu offers the traditional conclusion.
Where: Morini Riyadh, Jareed Hotel, The Boulevard, Hittin, Riyadh
When: Daily from 12pm to midnight
Contact: www.altamareagroup.com
Oulu
Good-value Italian comfort food is the calling card at Oulu in As Sulimaniyah. The restaurant combines the mood of an old-school pizzeria with a broad menu and accessible pricing, making it an easy choice for casual lunches, family dinners and spontaneous pasta cravings. Begin with Fried Zucchini or creamy Burrata Salad before moving onto Mushroom Fettuccine, Spicy Chicken Rigatoni or Grandma’s Spaghetti with slow-cooked meat and tomato sauce. The Curly Truffle pasta and Truffle Risotto lean into richer flavours, while the pizza selection covers Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, Pesto and a house Truffle pizza. A classic tiramisu rounds things off, keeping the experience comforting, familiar and uncomplicated.
Where: Oulu, Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi Street, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh
When: Daily from 1pm to 1am
Contact: @oulu.sa
San Carlo Cicchetti
Venetian sharing culture sits at the heart of San Carlo Cicchetti in As Sulimaniyah. The concept originated in Birmingham in 1992 and has grown internationally, but its appeal remains rooted in the Italian custom of ordering several small plates for the table. Light interiors, expanses of grey Italian marble and a convivial atmosphere make it a natural choice for groups. The extensive menu spans crostini, fried dishes, carpaccio, salads, pasta, pizza, seafood and meat, with seasonal additions appearing alongside established favourites. Signature choices include Italian Mac N Cheese, aubergine Parmigiana and handmade spinach and buffalo ricotta ravioli with rocket and pink tomato sauce
Where: San Carlo Cicchetti, Prince Musaed bin Jalawi Street, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh
When: Daily from 1pm to 1:30am
Contact: www.sancarlocicchetti.sa
San Marzano
Pizza takes centre stage at San Marzano in Laysen Valley, where an open kitchen and wood-fired oven turn dinner into part meal, part performance. The restaurant takes its name from the plum tomato grown near Mount Vesuvius, an ingredient closely associated with Neapolitan pizza sauce. Seating ranges from a long banquette to counter stools facing the chefs, making it equally suitable for groups or a quick supper. The menu keeps the focus on Italian crowd-pleasers, with Margherita, Mushroom and Vegan Mediterranean pizzas joined by richer Burrata and Truffle options. Pasta adds variety, but the traditional-style pizzas remain the reason to visit, arriving with crisp edges, soft centres and plenty of wood-fired character.
Where: San Marzano, Laysen Valley, Umm Al Hamam Al Gharbi, Riyadh
When: Daily from 3pm to 1am
Contact: @sanmarzanosa
Santini
One of London’s longstanding family-run Italian restaurants has brought its convivial approach to Laysen Valley. Founded by Gino Santini in 1984, Santini combines a spacious dining room, an open kitchen and interiors inspired by the artichoke, with curved forms and botanical details woven through the design. The menu suits family-style dining and covers salads, pasta, pizza and Italian classics. Crab Salad with grilled pineapple, pomegranate, chilli and lemon vinaigrette offers a bright opening, followed by Homemade Fettuccine with Lobster or the rich Truffle Mushroom Lasagne. The Milanese Santini, a breaded veal chop, is another house signature.
Where: Santini Riyadh, Laysen Valley, Umm Al Hamam Al Gharbi, Riyadh
When: Daily from 1pm to 12:30am
Contact: @santini.riyadh
Signor Sassi Riyadh
For exuberant Italian dining, Signor Sassi remains one of Riyadh’s most recognisable choices. The As Sulimaniyah villa combines dramatic interiors, vibrant hospitality and an enormous menu with more than one hundred dishes, ensuring that even regulars can find something new. The signature Spaghetti Lobster is the essential order, coating pasta and lobster in a hearty tomato sauce designed for generous appetites. Ravioli Sassi offers another seafood-led option, filling pasta with lobster and serving it in a light creamy tomato sauce with baby prawns and fresh chilli. Truffle Pizza, Lobster Salad and classic meat dishes broaden the appeal. Come for a lively dinner, generous portions and a distinct sense of occasion.
Where: Signor Sassi, Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi St, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh
When: Daily from 1pm to 1am
Contact: @signorsassiriyadh