Al Olaya is one of the oldest districts in the Saudi capital filled with hotels, shops and plenty of restaurants and cafés. Beaming will life at all hours of the day, this popular location is no stranger to all sorts of cuisines. From Indian and Asian to Italian and French, restaurants in Al Olaya don’t disappoint and promise to deliver again and again. These are all the fab eateries in Al Olaya to dine at now.
Superb restaurants in Al Olaya
Biryani 65
Who doesn’t love a good Pakistani meal? One of the restaurants in Al Olaya serving up classics is Biryani 65.
Specialising in, well, biryani, pair your rice dish with spicy curries, parathas and other staple items. Feeling breakfast? This spot serves that morning meal until 4pm (hello, late risers).
Open daily noon-midnight. Al Olaya, @biryani65.
Burger Boutique
For one of the best patty and buns in town, this popular Al Olaya restaurant plates up grass-fed concoctions including bacon Swiss, classic beef, crispy chicken, as well as sliders like Roma and Machine Gun.
Add in some spicy jalapeños, sriracha bacon and chipotle sauce for little kick in each bite.
Open Sun-Wed noon-1am, Thu-Sat noon-2am. Al Olaya, burgerboutique.com (055 072 0864).
Crazy Pizza
Now we’re on to some fresh-out-the-oven pizzas. Crazy Pizza will have you craving another slice. A go-to pizza restaurant in Al Olaya, this spot hails from Porto Cervo in Italy and is known for its thin crust, hand-tossed ‘zas.
On the menu, you can eat your way across focaccia stuffed with buffalo mozzarella, bresaola, tomatoes, rocket salad and parmesan, as well as staples like a margherita and formaggi.
Open daily 1pm-1am. As Sulimaniyah, Al Olaya, crazypizza.com/riyadh (9200 07275).
La Rustica
Self-proclaimed as ‘the best pizzeria in Riyadh’ by the team behind La Rustica, this spot opened its doors in 2016 and has since been sending out hot pizzas fresh out the oven.
Here, you’ll find classic Napoletana pizza and simple margherita, as well as fungi, truffle, fior pizza and more.
Open Sun-Wed 1pm-12.30am, Thu-Sat 1pm-1am. Wadi Al Artawi St, Al Olaya, larustica.sa (055 325 2521).
LPM
LPM, the French fine-dining Al Olaya restaurant found near the Mandarin Oriental hotel, is an art (French cuisine) fans dream. With Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck art fixtures scattered throughout, the chic white table clothes and beige chairs make for the perfect pop-to-luxe dining experience.
When dining here, don’t forget to start your meal with warm prawns in olive oil and sea bass carpaccio before digging into the escargot de Bourgogne if you adore some fine-dining snails.
Open Sun-Thu 12.30pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 1pm-11pm. Al Olaya, lpmrestaurants.com/riyadh.
MAMO Michelangelo
Found in Al Faisaliah Tower, MAMO is one of the Italian restaurants in Al Olaya. Created in 1992, the spot brings the flavours of Italy with a hint of the South of France.
Feeling like you’re dining in the French Riveria, the menu also boasts Italian flavours including pizzas and pastas. When here, enjoy the lobster spaghetti and gnocchi.
Open daily 12.30pm-3.pm; 7.30pm-11pm. Al Faisaliah Tower, Al Olaya, mamo-michelangelo.com.
Meraki
Feeling taste of Greece? Meraki is one of the Al Olaya restaurants that will take you straight to a Greek island. Here, you’ll be spoiled for choice with mezze-style spreads including tzatziki (cucumber and yoghurt) and htipiti (red pepper and cheese) in this dimly lit space.
Open daily 1pm-midnight. Al Olaya, meraki-restaurant.com.
Nevermind Burgers and Shakes
Our city loves its burgers, that’s no secret, and restaurants in Al Olaya sure do deliver on these patty and bun bites, especially at Nevermind.
When fine-dining isn’t what you’re craving, you can always head here for a burger and fries, with a classic shake on the side. Go that extra mile and dunk your chips into your vanilla milkshake. Why not?
Open daily 11am-2am. Al Olaya, @nevermindriyadh.
Nozomi
This London-based eatery is found on King Fahd Highway and is all about Japanese eats.
While you tuck into your wagyu sliders, yellowtail sashimi and black cod with pickled relish and miso, you’ll be in for a show of your life with dancing geisha and a virtual DJ.
Open daily 1pm-1am. Al Olaya, @nozomiksa.
The Pampa Grill
Found in Narcissus Hotel right in the middle of Al Olaya and Tahlia Street, The Pampa Grill specialises in Argentinian steak sourced from around the world.
On the menu, enjoy all kinds of A beef, lamb, Kobe, wagyu and Dutch veal.
Open daily 6pm-11pm. Narcissus Hotel, Al Olaya, narcissusriyadh.com (011 294 6300).
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Yauatcha
There’s no heading here without enjoying some dim sum. Created by the group behind Hakkasan, this spot is found in Al Faisaliah Mall and has interiors inspired by Japan including cherry blossom trees. Vegans, you’ll enjoy a selection of dishes here too.
Open daily noon-11.30pm. Al Olaya, yauatcha.com.
Yokari
Found in Centria Mall, this spot ticks all the right boxes when it comes to Japanese eats.
Once you make your way through the calming interiors, fill up your spread with sushi and maki, as well as a staple Japanese wagyu and king crab legs with truffle butter and shiitake mushrooms.
Open daily 1pm-midnight. Centria Mall, Al Olaya, yokari.com (011 288 6999).
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