The 10 Best Luxury Restaurants in Riyadh

By LuxurySaudi4U Editorial·Published 5 May 2026·12 min read

Riyadh's luxury dining scene has expanded faster than any major Gulf city in the past five years. Where the city once had only hotel restaurants of varying quality, it now hosts globally recognised flagships, Nobu, Zuma, Hakkasan, alongside serious local Japanese omakase, modern Saudi cuisine, and a small but excellent French tasting-menu scene.

Two things to understand about Riyadh dining before you arrive: nothing fills before 9pm (the city dines late, particularly on weekends), and reservations matter more here than in most cities, top restaurants book 1–2 weeks ahead during Riyadh Season and your hotel concierge is usually your fastest path to a table.

These are the ten restaurants we send guests to most often, with practical reservation guidance and what to order at each.

Scalini

Ritz-Carlton Riyadh

The reference Italian restaurant in Riyadh, widely considered the best in the city. The handmade pastas and the wood-fired pizza are the signatures. The dining room, formal, intimate, and quietly buzzing with Saudi business families, is part of the experience.

Signature: Wagyu ravioli, lobster spaghetti, the truffle pizza when in season.
Booking: Reserve 7+ days ahead during Riyadh Season. Hotel concierge can usually secure same-week tables.

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Nobu Riyadh

Nobu Hotel Riyadh

The most globally recognised restaurant in Saudi Arabia. The Nobu menu, black cod miso, yellowtail jalapeño, rock shrimp tempura, is delivered to the brand's exacting global standard. The dining room often features high-profile guests during Riyadh Season.

Signature: Black cod miso, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, rock shrimp tempura.
Booking: Booking 10–14 days ahead is essential for weekend tables.

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Zuma Riyadh

Four Seasons Kingdom Centre

Zuma's Riyadh outpost on the upper floors of the Kingdom Centre is one of the city's most coveted reservations. The robata grill is the centrepiece. The view through the Kingdom Tower's signature inverted-arch opening is the dining room's most photographed element.

Signature: Robata-grilled black cod, the spicy beef tenderloin, sake selection.
Booking: Book 14+ days ahead. Sunset slots (around 7pm) book first.

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Hakkasan Riyadh

Independent venue, KAFD area

The Riyadh Hakkasan delivers the brand's signature contemporary Cantonese in an exceptional dining room. The dim sum at dinner is unusual for the brand globally, and one of the strongest in Riyadh.

Signature: Crispy duck salad, supreme dim sum platter, jasmine tea selection.
Booking: Walk-ins possible mid-week, weekend reservations essential.

Najd Village

Independent venue, multiple locations

The benchmark traditional Saudi dining experience. Floor seating in private majlis rooms, with shared platters of jereesh, kabsa, mandi, and madhbi. The setting is theatrical, recreated Najdi village architecture, and the food is the most authentic Saudi cuisine in the city.

Signature: Lamb kabsa, jereesh, fresh bread from the wood oven, mint tea.
Booking: Walk-in friendly. Private majlis rooms book 3–4 days ahead for groups.

Spazio 77

Four Seasons Kingdom Centre

Riyadh's highest dining room, on the 77th floor of the Kingdom Tower, with 360° city views. The food is excellent contemporary Italian, but the view is the headline. Sunset reservations are particularly sought after.

Signature: Truffle risotto, the seafood platter, sunset views looking west across Riyadh.
Booking: Sunset window books 2–3 weeks ahead.

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Myazu

Independent venue, Olaya district

A locally founded Japanese restaurant that has become a Riyadh institution. The sushi quality is exceptional, the chef trains in Japan twice yearly. Less internationally famous than Nobu or Zuma, but equally serious about the cuisine.

Signature: The omakase counter (book in advance), the truffle uni, sake-cured salmon.
Booking: Omakase counter books 2 weeks ahead. Regular tables often available same-week.

L'atelier

Independent venue, KAFD

Riyadh's emerging fine dining destination, tasting-menu-only French in an intimate dining room. The execution is genuinely Michelin-level. Reservations are limited and book quickly when announced.

Signature: Seasonal 7-course tasting menu, the bread programme, non-alcoholic wine pairings.
Booking: Tasting menu books 3–4 weeks ahead.

Albaik

Multiple Riyadh locations

Not technically luxury, but worth including for context. Albaik is Saudi Arabia's iconic fried-chicken chain, beloved across every demographic. Try it once on any Saudi trip for cultural context.

Signature: The fried chicken (whole meal). The garlic sauce is the headline.
Booking: No reservations needed. Drive-through service.

VIA Riyadh

Independent venue, Diplomatic Quarter

An emerging Riyadh dining destination, Italian fine dining with an outdoor terrace overlooking the Diplomatic Quarter. The combination of food quality and outdoor setting is unusual in Riyadh. Best November to March.

Signature: Wood-fired pizza, the seasonal pasta selection, terrace seating at dusk.
Booking: Terrace seating in cooler months books 5–7 days ahead.

Practical dining tips for Riyadh

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Reserve through your hotel concierge
For Nobu, Scalini, Zuma, and Spazio, the hotel concierge can often secure tables that direct booking cannot, particularly during Riyadh Season.
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Eat late
Lunch service often runs 12:30–3pm. Dinner doesn't fill until 9–10pm. Restaurants that serve until midnight or 1am are normal.
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Dress code
Top restaurants are smart-casual. Men: tailored trousers and shirt. Women: cocktail or modest evening attire.
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Non-alcoholic pairings
All luxury restaurants offer serious non-alcoholic wine pairings, many use Japanese teas, fermented juices, and zero-proof sparkling wines. Ask for the pairing menu when you book.
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Riyadh Season dining
October–March brings pop-up restaurants, chef collaborations, and Michelin-starred guest residencies. Worth timing a trip around if dining is a priority.

FAQ

Which Riyadh hotel has the best restaurants?+

The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh has seven restaurants including Scalini (Italian), widely considered the city's best Italian. The Four Seasons at Kingdom Centre hosts Spazio (panoramic Italian on the 77th floor) and Zuma (contemporary Japanese). Both hotels are dining destinations in their own right.

Do you need to book Riyadh's best restaurants in advance?+

Yes, for top-tier restaurants like Nobu, Scalini, and Zuma, we recommend booking 7–14 days ahead during peak Riyadh Season (October–March). Hotel concierges can typically secure last-minute bookings their guests cannot get directly.

When do Riyadh restaurants open and close?+

Riyadh dines late by global standards. Most luxury restaurants open at 7pm and don't fill until 9–10pm. Service typically runs until midnight or later, particularly on weekends (Thursday–Saturday). Lunch service is common at 12:30–3pm.

Is alcohol served in Riyadh restaurants?+

No. Alcohol is not legally available anywhere in Saudi Arabia, including all luxury hotels and restaurants. However, the mocktail and non-alcoholic beverage programmes at Nobu, Zuma, Scalini, and other top-tier venues are exceptional, luxury hotels have invested significantly in developing serious non-alcoholic pairings.