In Saudi Arabia, there’s an adage that resonates at every table: the guest eats first, and eats the best. Food has long been at the heart of Saudi society – the medium through which community is nurtured and heritage is honoured. In recent years, this spirit of generosity has extended well beyond the home into a fast-evolving fine dining scene, shaped by both regional talent and international influence.
In October 2025, Michelin launched the Kingdom’s first Michelin Guide, placing Riyadh firmly on the global culinary map. What makes the moment especially meaningful is how many of the featured restaurants stay true to local roots, serving kabsa, harees, and other familiar favourites, reimagined with forward-thinking finesse. Read on as we explore seven of the best Michelin-approved restaurants in Riyadh right now.
Mirzam
For hearty, warming food that feeds both body and soul, Mirzam is the spot. Tucked along Al Takhassusi Street, this Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant puts Saudi comfort food front and centre, with a breakfast-led menu that runs through to mid-afternoon. Regional flavours shine throughout, with dishes like spiced egg maghash, kibdeh Hijazi, and generous mezze platters served with oven-fresh flatbread. Dishes are made for sharing, and the atmosphere reflects that – sunlit, social, and fuelled by a steady flow of Arabic coffee. Be sure to leave room for dessert: the chef’s signature maasoub (banana bread pudding) is indulgent, satisfying, and very much Michelin-approved.
Hōchō
The menu at Hōchō is a love letter to one key ingredient: Kobe beef. Set inside VIA Riyadh, this dimly lit, buzzy restaurant channels the mood of a polished Tokyo omakase, with counter seating, smooth wood finishes, and a sense of culinary choreography behind the open kitchen. But this isn’t a Japanese import – it’s the brainchild of Saudi chef Hassan Fetyani, who trained for years in traditional technique before opening Hōchō in December 2024.
Now recognised in the Michelin Guide, the restaurant offers a focused edit of grilled cuts, sushi, and unique tomato carpaccios. The standout dish is the signature Kobe steak, finely marbled and priced accordingly. Dessert here nods to its setting, with a date and walnut tart that grounds the experience in place – a reminder that this is, at its heart, a local story.
Ruhi
Meaning ‘Soul’ or ‘Ascending’ in Sanskrit, Ruhi brings the ancient flavours of India to Riyadh, with a sharp and smoky menu of tandoori grills, rich curries, and slow-cooked biryanis. An ideal spot for a fulfilling, unfussy dinner, this Michelin Guide eatery is located in The Zone – an open-air lifestyle complex just off Al Takhassousi Street. The interiors blend carved wood panelling with arched windows and warm lighting, while the upper terrace offers a breezy view over the central plaza. Dishes are generous and boldly spiced: paneer tikka, dal makhani, lamb chops, and butter chicken are all standouts, best paired with fresh naan straight from the tandoor. Everything at Ruhi is made in-house, down to the chutneys and crunchy chapati starters.
Tofareya
A true neighbourhood establishment, Tofareya brings Saudi comfort food back to the fore. Located in Al Malqa on Anas Ibn Malik Road, this Michelin-recognised restaurant celebrates the kind of home-cooked dishes many grew up with, from slow-cooked marqooq stews to smoked Hasawi-style kebabs. The menu celebrates Southern flavours especially well, with fragrant Mandi dishes from Asir and Al Bahah.
The atmosphere at Tofareya is laid-back and grounded in authenticity, with colourful hanging kilims, warm lantern lighting, and a beautiful hand-painted mural depicting an older way of Saudi life. Coffee is taken seriously here – it’s poured generously and their signature blend is sold by the bag. A testament to its local popularity, Tofareya has since expanded to AlUla and Jeddah.
Kayzō
Kayzō is where to find bold Japanese cuisine in an upscale, slightly offbeat setting. Its name draws from the Japanese kanji for “ocean” and “volcano” – a contrast that plays out in both the atmosphere and the menu. Awarded a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, Kayzō keeps its core menu tight and traditional, with fresh sushi, crisp tempura, and charcoal-grilled meat skewers. Beyond the main course, there are playful pop culture flourishes – namely, a bright pink Labubu cake for dessert.
As for drinks, inventive mocktails are mixed behind a glamorous centrepiece bar, with standouts like the chamomile-and-coconut Rose Cloud and the jalapeño-laced Oriental Sour – all served in crystal stemware almost too pretty to sip. With its loud music and social-media-savvy crowd, this is one of Riyadh’s most cosmopolitan restaurants.
Café Boulud
Of all the international names to arrive in Riyadh this year, Café Boulud may be the most influential. Helmed by French-American chef Daniel Boulud, the restaurant is located in the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh and carries a polished, midcentury aesthetic. Boulud trained under French gastronomy legends Michel Guérard and Roger Vergé, and his flagship New York restaurant, Daniel, holds two Michelin stars. In Riyadh, the tone is more relaxed but equally refined.
The interiors take their cue from classic Parisian brasseries, with antique mirrors, recessed lighting, and a sun-drenched orangery. Breakfast leans continental – think mascarpone-topped French toast, fluffy omelettes, and rose-infused Belgian waffles – while dinner introduces a regional twist on traditional French fare. Café Boulud is also a standout destination for turophiles: according to the Michelin Guide, it serves an extensive selection of fine cheeses curated by an in-house cheese sommelier. A polished business lunch is served on weekdays, while Fridays are reserved for a relaxed but well-attended brunch service.
Tameesa
A favourite early morning stop, Tameesa specialises in that most important meal of the day: breakfast. Open from dawn until mid-afternoon, it brings the warmth of Saudi breakfast culture into a bright, glass-fronted space on King Abdul Aziz Road. Awarded a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, Tameesa channels the flavours of Hijaz through generous, time-honoured dishes made for sharing. The menu features home-style staples – foul, moutabbal, and crisp-edged mutabbaq – all served with freshly baked tamees bread. For a sweet finish, the areeka comes highly recommended, best enjoyed with a steaming cup of cardamom-infused Arabic coffee. As Riyadh’s dining scene grows increasingly global, this restaurant stands out for its clarity of purpose: to honour the plates that have long brought people together.
