Last Updated:June 21, 2025, 16:00 IST
Ahead of the EWC in Riyadh, here’s the ultimate foodie guide to experience the best that the city has to offer in terms of cuisine, and culture.
Riyadh has a bustling food scene. (Representative Image)
As Riyadh hosts the Esports World Cup, the city is buzzing with excitement. Gamers, fans, and visitors are arriving from around the world, and while all eyes are on the games, there’s something else that’s just as exciting – the food.
Across the city, from bustling food halls to serene fine dining spaces, Riyadh offers an unforgettable culinary experience. Local classics are getting a fresh twist, global names are leaving their imprint, and hidden neighbourhood gems are winning over those craving something unexpected.
Whether you are in between matches or out for a celebratory evening, this is your guide to the best places to eat in Riyadh while the games unfold.
Where To Taste Traditional Saudi Food In Riyadh?
To truly explore the region’s roots through food, head to two of Riyadh’s most beloved Saudi restaurants, each presenting a distinct interpretation of local culinary heritage.
At Suhail, traditional Saudi recipes are refined with modern precision. Dishes like Hijazi mabshor (a grilled lamb dish served with yoghurt) or lamb kabsah (spiced rice with slow-cooked meat) are served with the finesse of fine dining. The atmosphere is refined, the plating elegant, and the ingredients, such as dried limes, dates, and fragrant spices, remain true to their traditional essence.
By contrast, Najd Village is all about warmth and nostalgia. Here, meals are shared cross-legged on floor cushions, just as they have been in Saudi homes for generations. The décor leans rustic, and the setting is intimate. Dishes like jareesh, qursan and matazeez arrive in generous, hearty portions, cooked slowly and with care.
Where To Head For A Bustling Evening In Riyadh?
As dusk falls, VIA Riyadh lights up with spectacular displays, turning the district into a captivating playground of colour. Just a short drive from the EWC venues, this lifestyle district showcases Riyadh at its most cosmopolitan.
Among the standouts is chi SPACCA, the Los Angeles steakhouse from Nancy Silverton, famous for bold, fire-grilled meats and unapologetic rustic charm. For a dash of Paris, head to Les Deux Magots, a famed Saint-Germain café, where French classics are served with elegance and ease.
Gymkhana presents a different kind of decadence. For vegetarians, there are plenty of delicious options that feel just like home. One of the restaurant’s two tasting menus is completely vegetarian, offering a variety of rich and flavourful dishes in every course. You can start with crisp gol guppas filled with jaljeera and sprouted moong, followed by tasty samosa chaat and chana masala. For the main course, enjoy favourites like paneer tikka, tandoori broccoli, or a fragrant biryani made with gucchi mushrooms and truffle.
Prefer something more laid-back? Head to Over Under, a London café serving speciality coffee, brunch plates and mocktails. Apart from the delicious food, ELLE Café charms with its pastel interiors and Instagram-worthy vibe, perfect for a laid-back afternoon break.
Where To Head For Touristy Activities In Riyadh?
For those who prefer to stay in the thick of the action, Boulevard City is a one-stop culinary hub. With restaurants nestled right in the heart of the Esports zone, you’re never too far from your next bite.
Kabana serves comforting Afghan fusion dishes with a Mediterranean twist, perfect for a satisfying meal between matches and for those looking for authentic Middle Eastern flavours, Al Nakheel is the place to be.
Pressed for time? Shake Shack never fails with its fast and familiar burgers and fries. If you want to keep things light but energising, Poke Bar’s poke bowls and their signature Berry and Banana Acai are just the pick-me-up you need.
And here’s the best part: with cafés and kiosks like ½ Million and Coic Lounge dotted throughout the gaming zones, grabbing a snack or a drink is effortless and never out of reach.
Still Looking For Something More?
Located inside Riyadh’s iconic Kingdom Centre Tower, Al Mamlaka Social Dining is a modern take on the food hall concept. Here, you can sample dishes from over 20 local and international brands all under one roof, perfect for groups with varied tastes.
You’ll find Nozomi serving sushi and contemporary Japanese plates, La Rustica firing pizzas from wood ovens, and Assembly, putting a modern spin on Middle Eastern comfort food. For non-alcoholic drinks with flair, Blended by Lyre’s mixes up inventive spritzes and concoctions like no other.
Round things off with something sweet from Floozie Cookies or a slice of layered cake from Hanoverian, the German patisserie brand that’s already a hit in Riyadh.
After your meal, head to the Sky Bridge on the 99th floor for panoramic views of Riyadh. It’s especially striking at sunset, and a perfect way to cap off your visit.
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