PAUSEAWAY at Tuwaiq House

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.

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.

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

A little way away from the city centre – but worth a visit. The Persian rugs hanging from the ceiling and the décor of this contemporary restaurant are nods to what’s on offer on the menu. You’ll have your pick of authentic dishes, ranging from hearty stews to generously sized charcoal-grilled kebabs, with larger sharing portions available for bigger groups. The team are on hand to recommend plates according to your tastes and will also ensure the pace of the experience is just right.

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

It’s all about Kobe beef here. Located in the luxurious VIA Riyadh, this simple yet contemporary restaurant with a large open kitchen finds itself sitting pretty in the high-end shopping district. While Kobe beef-based dishes are the star of the menu, it also features some modern and well-crafted sushi that are worth exploring. Finish off with a date, walnut and Saudi coffee tart – a sweet delight.

In Laysen Valley, nearby the Diplomatic Quarter, is this predominantly Lebanese restaurant. The colourfully designed interior matches well with the menu. Chef Abdullah Bakri prepares vibrant and flavour-packed dishes with subtle twists. Interesting plates include the tabbouleh with passion fruit and their version of the Egyptian Om Ali, while their shish tawook is considered a signature dish. In cooler months, opt to sit on the large terrace at the back, which overlooks a sunken garden.