The Land Villas Ammaria

Get your breakfast fix at this contemporary Saudi eatery located a short distance from Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. Served from early morning to mid-afternoon, the food here proudly represents the country’s regions, particularly in its ingredients and spices. Start with the Mirzam platter, a selection of appetisers including hummus, foul and salads all served with warm flatbreads fresh from the oven. Their Egg Maghash and Kibda Hijazi – aka lamb’s liver – are must haves but do leave room for dessert – the maasoub is the chef’s speciality – and come with friends as sharing is enco

Open from early in the morning until mid-afternoon and often referred to as a traditional Saudi Arabian breakfast restaurant, this place is much more than that. A bright, colourful and slightly retro interior has the chefs visible in their glass-fronted kitchen. Dishes stem from Hijazi-style cuisine with must haves, all designed for sharing, include foul (fermented fava bean puree), moutabbal and mutabbaq. Be sure to order plenty of bread freshly prepared in the tandoor oven, along with tamees, and finish with a bowl of sweet areeka. Expect generosity in flavour and portions, all appealingly p

This is Chef Hisham Baeshen’s first restaurant. The cooking is inspired by five Saudi regions and sprinkled with some dishes from various Middle Eastern countries. The eatery, whose name translates as ‘in your heart’, is set in a large open room with an eye-catching tree trunk suspended from the ceiling. Be sure to come in a big group as portions are perfect for sharing. Recommendations include their samosas, seabream in molasses stew and the sharqawi rice topped with caramelised onions. Finish off the meal with the queen of Arabic desserts, the kunafah.

This is one of THE places to go in Riyadh for authentic Saudi cuisine. Their three branches have all been reconstructed to resemble a Najd village setting that is both welcoming and oozing in local charm. Take a seat on the floor under the covered terrace for a traditional experience. If you're two or three, opt for the sharing menu that highlights an extensive selection of satisfyingly generous and authentic flavours of the region. Don’t miss the freshly baked breads made to order and the tatlee, a baked custard with crushed pistachio.

The vibe is set from the moment you enter this chic and stylish restaurant with its large open kitchen counter. The extensive menu of Japanese contemporary dishes are all designed for sharing. Plates are colourful, at times traditional and others imaginative, show well-judged creativity and layers of flavour. Sushi and makis are offered here, alongside their tasty beef takikomi gohan and salmon filo. Pair your meal with some of their creative mocktails and you’ll have a great experience and one that’s good value. We recommend heading there at night for the low lights and thumping tunes.

Within the Bab Samhan Hotel, with its neo Najdi architecture, sits this restaurant, set over two floors. The space is split into a series of smaller rooms and terraces, which makes it feel like a home. Chef Michael Mina, who is known for restaurants in the USA, was born in Egypt and his menu here shows regional nods. Mezze-style sharing dishes are brought to the table when ready – falafel topped with tahini and tuna, and the creamy rice pudding dessert is a nod to Egypt. The use of prime ingredients is apparent, while the faultless service adds to the experience.

Chef Roaya Saleh brings her own style of Khaleeji cooking from her native Bahrain to this restaurant overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif. The room has a calm, chic feel with neutral tones and subtle bursts of colour. Even on a warm evening, the air-conditioned terrace is the place to be. The menu mixes a few Mediterranean dishes with wider Middle Eastern selections. Share some dumplings and koftas, followed with lamb mozat – a typical Bahraini dish of lamb served on vermicelli rice and pine kernels. End with the muhallabia for dessert, a comforting and creamy rice and milk