Riyadh Fine Dining on a Budget: The Saudi Winter Treat-Dinner Guide (Riyadh, Jeddah & Eastern Province)
- Sarah Green
- Nov 18, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 19, 2025
There’s a moment every year — somewhere between the first cool evening in November and the sudden social rush of December — when expat life becomes a flurry of dinners, visiting relatives, early end of year catch-ups, and “Oh we should go somewhere nice for once.”
And then you look at the bill and remember: Riyadh isn’t shy about its prices.
If you’re searching for Riyadh fine dining options this winter, you’re not alone — it’s the season for treat dinners and visiting family.
That’s exactly why we booked Fez at the Mövenpick — it was on The ENTERTAINER, it had been on our list for ages, and it felt like a smart winter-treat choice. Happily, it turned out to be one of the best dinners we’ve had in ages. Warm service, beautiful interiors, those views. It set the tone for winter, actually — which is why I pulled together the places that really shine at this time of year. Some happen to be on the ENTERTAINER too; some just deserve a spot on your list.
Our visit to Fez was supported by The ENTERTAINER, but — as always — all thoughts and recommendations are entirely my own.
Our visit to Fez was supported by The ENTERTAINER, but — as always — all thoughts and recommendations are entirely my own.
Our Family Night at Fez: A Gorgeous November Treat
We booked Fez on a Saturday evening, just as the city started glowing.
From the 15th floor of the Mövenpick, Riyadh looks exactly as it always feels: permanently on fast-forward. KAFD glitters, the ring-road tail lights stretch west in one unbroken red ribbon, and the Zaha Hadid–designed metro station glows a bright green. The metro trains skim across the city with that delightful, bustling, almost toy-town feeling you’d see in a Richard Scarry book, and even the towers flash their aviation lights — a quiet metronome above the rush. Only from up here do you feel the city’s sheer momentum — people in constant motion, always on their way somewhere.
Inside Fez, it was the opposite: calm, warm, beautifully Moroccan. Lattices, patterned screens, amber lighting, fountains quietly trickling in the background. We arrived early (British dinner hour), so the place was quiet and we were given a perfect window table.
The service was superb — attentive without hovering — and when a menu is this wide, asking for recommendations is essential. Ours did not miss.
The Food: A Mini Moroccan Feast
Starters
We ordered Harira Soup (lamb and fish versions), both rich, gently spiced and deeply comforting. Alongside came a parade of small salads and bites:
Chebakia — flower-shaped sesame pastry drenched in honey; sweet, fragrant, traditionally eaten during Ramadan, and a lovely pairing with the warm soup
Zaalouk — smoky aubergine
Zucchini M’charmel — lightly spiced courgette
Pumpkin salad & shakshuka
A selection of briouates (crispy filo parcels stuffed with cheese and meat)
It was the kind of starter spread where you keep saying, “I’ll just have a little more,” knowing full well you won’t stop. And we didn’t.
Mains
We chose three tagines to share:
Chicken Tagine with Lemon & Olives - bright and tender
Lamb Tagine with Prunes - velvety, rich, beautifully sweet
Fish Tagine with Bell Pepper - light, fragrant, perfect for balancing the others
Generous portions, and flavours that feel slow-cooked and thoughtful.
Drinks
The standout: a matcha, mint, apple cider vinegar and chilli mocktail. Sharp, green, refreshing - like a health tonic that got dressed up for dinner.
When it comes to Riyadh fine dining, winter is the best time to explore the city’s treat-night favourites — from Japanese robata to polished hotel dining.
Winter Dining Shortlist: Where to Book in Riyadh
These restaurants feel genuinely special at this time of year — the “treat dinners” that suit visiting families, birthdays, date nights and early festive celebrations. Some are on the ENTERTAINER, which helps, but they’re here because they’re good. The list is long… I got carried away.
High-flame Japanese robatayaki with dramatic plates and that special-occasion buzz.
Modern Anatolian cooking in a sleek, polished room. A reliable favourite for celebrations.
Beijing-style classics, handmade noodles, crisp white tablecloths — a proper night out.
Refined Indian cooking with depth, aroma and generosity. Excellent for impressing visitors.
Pan-Asian glamour with mood lighting and clever sharing dishes. Dress up and enjoy.
Warm, Moroccan, atmospheric — plus those panoramic city views.
Italian, elegant and consistently excellent — ideal for special occasions or visiting family.
French Mediterranean, reliably polished, and a favourite for celebratory dinners.
Agora — Greek seafood and breezy, coastal-feeling interiors — perfect for lighter winter dinners, and they host lovely live music nights from time to time.
Modern European plates served in gorgeous interiors. Perfect for a dress-up evening.
Playful Latin American dishes with nightlife energy — fun, theatrical, always lively.
High-end Japanese with impeccable detail. A true “treat night” restaurant.
Californian cuisine meets Riyadh glamour — polished, stylish and reliable.
The go-to place for your turkey dinner or a polished festive feast. Generous portions and great service.
Classy, calm and ideal for larger group dinners. Excellent service and elegant interiors and also good for festive dinners in December. Nomas is the place.
Paris in Riyadh. A beautiful spot for a celebratory dinner, long lunch or “impress the visitors” meal.
Grand, opulent and very Riyadh. A favourite for birthdays, anniversaries and holiday-season indulgence.
Winter Dining Shortlist: Where to Book in Jeddah
Jeddah has its own winter magic — sea breeze, late-night energy, and restaurants that feel especially lovely when the weather cools. Some of the places below happen to be on the ENTERTAINER, but all of them are here because they’re worth booking.
Japanese robatayaki done with flair. Stylish, buzzy and brilliant for a celebration dinner.
Pan-Asian with a sleek coastal feel. Perfect for groups or a fun night out.
Modern Middle Eastern flavours with beautiful plating. Warm, intimate, very Jeddah.
A contemporary seafood-led menu with a chic, minimalist setting. Light and elegant.
Fine Indian dining by a Michelin-starred chef. Rich flavours, sophisticated plates.
A long-time Jeddah favourite for refined Asian dining — reliable, atmospheric, luxurious.
Brazilian steakhouse dining with coastal views — generous, lively, perfect for families or groups.
Clean, modern Japanese cooking with a loyal following. Consistently good.
Winter Dining Shortlist: Where to book in Eastern Province
A smaller list than Riyadh or Jeddah, but a good one — perfect for winter evenings, visiting family and treat dinners by the sea.
Ruya Ithra - Dhahran
Modern Anatolian cooking in a beautifully designed setting inside the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture. Elegant, warm and reliably impressive.
Café de Paris - Al Khobar
Classic European-style dining with polished service and excellent steaks. A solid choice for celebrations or visiting relatives.
A lively Brazilian churrascaria with generous tableside cuts and a colourful, celebratory atmosphere. Great for groups.
High-end Japanese with glamour, drama and beautiful sushi. A brilliant pick for birthdays, anniversaries or any night you want to feel a bit “on holiday.”
People Also Ask
Is fine dining expensive in Riyadh?
Yes. Which is why many people quietly rely on the ENTERTAINER — the 2-for-1 mains make a very noticeable difference.
Is the ENTERTAINER worth it?
If you dine out a few times a year at the higher end, it usually pays for itself.
Are these restaurants family-friendly?
Absolutely. Fez was ideal with children, especially if you go early.
Where to Book Depending on the Occasion
And because choice paralysis is real in Riyadh, here’s a quick pick-and-choose guide depending on what you’re celebrating.
For Date Night
ROKA, Ruya, Mr. Chow
For Visiting Parents Who Want “Somewhere Nice”
Fez, Ruhi Indian, Café de Paris
For a Birthday or December Celebration
TAO Lounge, Rasoi by Vineet Bhatia, Ruya Ithra, Fairmont
For Friends Who Love a “Try Something New” Night
Mayara, MAIDE, Wakame
Before you book, check which of these are on the ENTERTAINER — it’s the little hack that makes winter dinners feel smugly affordable.
Treat Season Without the Stress
Treat season is officially upon us — that sweet spot of cool evenings, visiting family and the annual, “Go on then, let’s book somewhere nice.” Riyadh is spoilt for choice, and hopefully this guide takes the pressure off choosing where to go next.
If you end up at any of these places, let me know how you get on — and tell me if you uncover a new favourite.
And if you’re planning winter visitors? Start here → What's on in Saudi Arabia 2025/26
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