The restaurants to be seen at in Riyadh
Updated October 10, 2026
1. Chotto Matte Riyadh
€€€€King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Riyadh
Why now · Freshly crowned What’s On Saudi Arabia’s Restaurant of the Year 2026, this high-energy KAFD destination combines acclaimed Nikkei cooking with one of Riyadh’s most talked-about dining rooms. ([whatsonsaudiarabia.com](https://whatsonsaudiarabia.com/2026/09/the-names-that-defined-saudi-arabias-food-sc
Vibe · Bold contemporary art, theatrical open kitchens, a large terrace and a club-like soundtrack. ([chotto-matte.com](https://chotto-matte.com/riyadh/))
Best time · Thursday or Friday dinner after 9pm, when the resident DJ is playing. ([chotto-matte.com](https://chotto-matte.com/riyadh/whats-on/?utm_source=openai))
Dress code · Suggested: polished evening smart casual.
Getting in · Book through the official website’s SevenRooms widget or call +966 9200 15023; reserve ahead for weekend dinner, although current booking difficulty is unverified. ([chotto-matte.com](https://chotto-matte.com/riyadh/))
Sources · What’s On Saudi Arabia, Gault&Millau, Layali Al Riyadh, LinkedIn
2. LIZA Riyadh
€€€Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah, Riyadh
Why now · Opened in January 2026 and already named What’s On’s Newcomer of the Year, LIZA has made its Beirut-inspired blend of food, design and music a defining new address in Diriyah. ([whatsonsaudiarabia.com](https://whatsonsaudiarabia.com/ar/2026/01/22/%D9%85%D8%B7%D8%B9%D9%85-%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%A7-%D8
Vibe · Elegant, lively Lebanese hospitality with sharing tables, design-led interiors and a heritage setting. ([diriyah.sa](https://www.diriyah.sa/ar/dine/liza?utm_source=openai))
Best time · Suggested: Thursday evening for an unhurried group dinner.
Dress code · Suggested: elegant smart casual.
Getting in · Reserve through the official website’s SevenRooms link or call +966 9200 17054; request your preferred seating when booking, as current booking difficulty is unverified. ([lizariyadh.com](https://www.lizariyadh.com/home))
Sources · What’s On Saudi Arabia, The Riyadh Atlas, Arab Union for Tourism Media, LinkedIn
3. Zuma Riyadh
€€€€King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Al Aqiq, Riyadh
Why now · FACT’s Restaurant of the Year 2025 remains a compelling see-and-be-seen table, with strong recent reviews and a DJ-led lounge that keeps its international pedigree socially relevant in Riyadh. ([factmagazines.com](https://www.factmagazines.com/saudi-arabia/zuma-riyadh-review-the-japanese-juggernaut-
Vibe · Two floors of understated luxury, sushi and robata theatre, and an upbeat upstairs lounge. ([zumarestaurant.com](https://www.zumarestaurant.com/en/riyadh?utm_source=openai))
Best time · Thursday or Friday after 8:30pm for the DJ-led evening atmosphere. ([zumarestaurant.com](https://www.zumarestaurant.com/en/riyadh/booking-policy?utm_source=openai))
Dress code · Smart elegant; shorts, sportswear and flip-flops are not permitted. ([zumarestaurant.com](https://www.zumarestaurant.com/en/riyadh/booking-policy?utm_source=openai))
Getting in · Book on the official website or call +966 9200 14597; advance reservations are strongly advised, with a month-long waitlist reported after opening rather than verified today. ([zumarestaurant.com](https://www.zumarestaurant.com/en/riyadh/book-a-table?utm_source=openai))
Sources · FACT Magazines, Arab News, Saudi Online, Riyadh Metro Guide
Tell her your mood and your time: she finds it, prepares the booking and the ride.
Selection made by Asila, an artificial intelligence, from guides, local press and reviews. It can be wrong: check before you go.