RIYADH: The Saudi capital is experiencing what could be described as a “gastronomic explosion”.
International brands have entered the market alongside the proliferation of local Saudi restaurants and street food, contributing to Riyadh’s growing cultural diversity.
Until recently, Riyadh’s culinary scene was dominated by a few local restaurants offering predominantly Saudi and traditional Najdi cuisine, originating from the historic region encompassing present-day Riyadh, Qassim and Hail. This included hot, hearty stews, rich meat dishes and tasty regional specialties that have been a staple of traditional restaurants for decades.
The transformation began with the Saudi Vision 2030 economic and social plan in 2016, which has gained significant momentum since 2021 as the pandemic has subsided. Riyadh has seen a rise in the number of international chefs and restaurants, accompanied by a growing influx of tourists and expats.
Today, Saudi Arabia has a range of restaurants from around the world, catering to varying tastes and budgets, both in fine dining and street food.
Simultaneously, Riyadh, evolving from a simple administrative center to a dynamic cosmopolitan metropolis, attracts talent from around the world. This includes restaurants and chefs eager to tap into what could potentially become the Middle East’s largest culinary market.
Vision 2030 aims to increase household spending on cultural and entertainment activities to 6 percent, a significant increase from the initial 2.9 percent when the plan was unveiled in 2016.
Recent international arrivals include Spago Riyadh, from celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, Flamingo Room by Tashas, a concept store and restaurant from the famous South African chef, and Mr. Chow, the Chinese restaurant specializing in authentic Beijing cuisine, founded by Anglo-Chinese restaurateur Michael Chow is expected to open in early October.
Other newcomers include the Ferdi restaurant, famous for its Parisian burgers, and La Petite Maison, offering, among other things, cuisine from the Côte d’Azur.
Cool Inc, a Saudi lifestyle curator, is behind the launch of La Petite Maison, Ferdi, Spago and Cut by Wolfgang Puck, with plans announced in late 2022 for openings including Scott’s, Sexy Fish, Wagyumafia, Gymkhana and Madeo.
Natasha Sideris, CEO and founder of Tashas Group, expressed enthusiasm for the evolving culinary scene in Riyadh, noting the city’s transition from a limited gourmet market to a thriving landscape with international brands and concepts. innovative premises.
Riyadh’s newest addition, Flamingo Room by Tashas, is located in the vibrant Diriyah neighborhood and offers a multi-faceted experience that includes Tashas Restaurant, Collective Africa (a retail concept store), ‘African Lounge and The Stargaze Garden (a rooftop dining space).
In June this year, Riyadh launched Via Mercato, a luxury culinary destination located in the high-end Via Riyadh dining complex. It features artisanal and specialty dishes from around the world, attracting attention on social media with the appearance of actress Sofia Vergara amid its sleek, architectural design.
Matthew Lawson, managing director of Via Mercato, attributed Riyadh’s emergence as a culinary capital to at least three factors: a boom in tourism; heavy investments in the hotel and food sectors; and an increasingly cosmopolitan and sophisticated local population seeking diverse culinary experiences.
Via Mercato’s luxury market offers a wide range of artisan and specialty food products, including baked goods, cheeses and Japanese specialties. In addition, it has a caviar bar, a pizzeria, a rotisserie and a cheese shop, all with personalized service and expert advice from competent staff.
For those looking for more casual and adventurous cuisine, Riyadh offers a growing selection of street food, including both local Saudi dishes and international flavors. Despite the city’s reputation for its automobile-centric lifestyle, there are vibrant outdoor spaces where residents and visitors explore new culinary experiences.
Options include Thai Soi, Barbar Riyadh (a Lebanese street food restaurant), and various restaurants serving local Saudi and Arabic specialties such as baleela, koshari, and manto.
Each month sees the opening of several high-end international restaurants and street food joints in Riyadh, highlighting the city’s growing appeal to food lovers locally, regionally and internationally.
As the culinary landscape expands, Riyadh residents increasingly want to make the most of the “gastronomic explosion.”
The creation of the Culinary Arts Commission under the Saudi Ministry of Culture reflects this trend. The body’s mission includes evaluating restaurants, dishes and chefs, establishing regulations on culinary arts and promoting Saudi and international culinary traditions. It also aims to document recipes and share them to showcase Saudi cuisine to the world.
Matthew Lawson highlighted the importance of facilitating culinary exchanges and collaborations with chefs and institutions around the world, highlighting the potential to bring global expertise and visibility to the Kingdom. This local and international exchange is a vital factor in Riyadh’s rise as an international culinary destination.
