Coming to Saudi? Don’t Miss These Michelin Selected Eats

In case you missed it, the official Saudi Michelin Guide just dropped, and the selections are as mouth-watering as you’d expect! We’ve talked about Saudi cuisine and some of the gastronomic adventures you can find around the Kingdom, but with the official Michelin guide now in our hands, here’s your rundown of the just a few of the tastiest plates featured, coming to you from Paris to Bangkok, by way of Riyadh and Mumbai. This is one listicle you’ll want to bookmark! 

1. Benoit (Riyadh)

If you’re craving a certain je ne sais quoi in the heart of Riyadh, let us propose some classic Parisian cuisine. Founded in 1912 by French butcher Benoit Matray, this cozy bistro covers classic French fare: appetizers like pâté en croûte or escargots with garlic butter, mains like pan-seared sea bass or black truffle pasta with Comté cheese, and indulgent desserts like profiteroles with hot chocolate sauce. It’s not all cuisine traditionelle though, Chef Alain Ducasse has also worked some French twists into local fare like his grilled lamb kefta with yoghurt and pomegranate sauce and a slow-roasted camel fillet in decadent Périgueux sauce.  

2. Il Baretto (Riyadh)

Hailing from London’s chic Marylebone, Il Baretto’s restaurant in Riyadh has become an institution of its own, ever since it became the first (in 2021) of many bringing impeccable eats to the swanky King Abdullah Financial District – that’s KAFD, to the locals. But who said gourmet had to be complicated? The menu draws simply on the diversity of Italian food, with crisply wood-fired pizzas, freshly made pasta, grilled tiger prawns, and their famed veal Milanese. Vegetarians definitely won’t want to miss this place either, eggplant parmigiana, burrata and truffle gnocchi? Yes, please! 

3. Long Chim (Diriyah)

Chef David Thompson brings his take on the vibrant world of Thai street food to the heart of Bujairi Terrace, the gourmet’s mile of fine dining set against the backdrop of beautiful, historic Diriyah. Dishes include Thai classics like juicy chicken satay leu (peanut allergen alert!), fragrant green papaya salad, Chiang Mai-style khao soi (curry noodle soup), and their garlicky prawn fried rice. Oh, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the mango and sticky rice in coconut milk for dessert. All spice is negotiable, too, so don’t forget to tell your server to turn the heat up or down as you like it.  

4. Lusin (Riyadh)

The chefs at Lusin (“the moon” in Armenian) like to take diners on a journey with their delicious twists on Caucasus cuisine. Whether you pass through the beautifully engraved stone entrance at the Diyafa Plaza or Centria Mall locations, you’re in for a journey into taste. The menu features traditional Armenian specialties like manti (beef dumplings in yoghurt sauce), kebabs, toushka bread stuffed with cheese and mince, eggplant rolls and the seasonal gapama – that’s a whole pumpkin stuffed with spiced rice, beef, and pine nuts. Pro tip: leave room for the crisp, cream-layered honey cake!  

5. Maritime (Jeddah)

Set against the clear, blue waters of the Red Sea, Maritime is the perfect port for seafood. Curated by Chef Cédric Vongerichten, the fusion menu includes dishes like freshly caught shrimp dumplings with lemongrass beurre blanc and caviar, salmon sashimi, or crispy baby squid salad in a Thai-inspired galangal emulsion. Maritime also stands out because they’re open super-early for breakfast, too! You can have eggs any way you like, or opt for buttermilk pancakes, crispy cinnamon French toast, waffles with whipped cream and fresh berries. Coffee options abound, too, and they can even fix you an energizing zero-alcohol espresso martini, if you’re feeling fancy. 

6. Rasoi by Vineet (Jeddah)

Chef Vineet Bhatia’s elegant tribute to Jeddah draws inspiration from the Old City (Al Balad), with intricately designed wooden doors and windows, set against a warm, colorful ambiance that unmistakably recalls the Indian subcontinent. The menu is sophisticated and adventurous, with dishes like Malai lobster, Rogan lamb shank, meaty biryanis, and desserts like saffron rasmalai and jalebi rabdi.  You’ll find this morsel nestled in the Mövenpick Hotel Tahlia in Jeddah, where you can stop by for a quick mango lassi anytime, from lunch to ‘til very late, indeed.  

7. ROKA (Jeddah)

ROKA is one of several top-tier Japanese restaurants making their mark on the Kingdom’s culinary scene with ROKA especially known for its robatayaki (“fireside cooking” in Japanese) cuisine – and the live DJ who’s in-house every weekend from 6pm onwards. The menu is subject to change with the seasons, but you can expect to be wowed by yellowtail sashimi splashed with yuzu-truffle dressing, melt-in-your-mouth bone marrow with miso buns, or Korean barbecue-style lamb cutlets. You can also catch their limited-run Izakaya and Shabu Shabu menus, filled with street-style favorites like panko-fried prawns and hotpots with wagyu beef slices and fresh veggies.  

8. Somewhere (AlUla)

For an experience as much about the location as the food, check out Somewhere in AlUla, just 30 minutes from the monumental Nabatean tombs in Hegra. Tucked into an oasis farm on the edge of AlUla’s largest palm grove, it’s a peaceful, magical setting that lets you recline on soft cushions in the terrace, with stunning views over the oasis. Hey, and the food’s really good too! Enjoy delicious fusion takes on Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, like the shawarma-filled bao, or their take on a classic Umm Ali dessert, made with croissants and oat milk, and definitely stick around for a mocktail to watch the sun come down over that gorgeous view.  

Before you go! 

Planning on rocking up and getting a table? We certainly appreciate the initiative, but it’s always better to call and book in advance using the links above, so you can get the perfect spot and avoid disappointment. The good news is that after they open for lunch and all stay open till midnight (or later!), so there’s no rush. After a long day exploring, working out, or working, you can be sure there’s plenty of places satisfy a grumbling tum. Oh, and don’t forget to check out more of the Saudi Michelin restaurants causing a stir here!