Riyadh's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with steak restaurants enjoying immense popularity among locals and visitors alike.
From fancy Wagyu beef to finger-licking sticky ribs, the city boasts a mouth-watering selection of steakhouses that are inspired by everything from the classic Texas BBQ and the traditional bistros of Paris to homegrown talent from right here in the Kingdom.
Nothing beats a good steak, cooked just to your liking with the perfect side dishes. There’s open-flame cooking, impeccable presentation, secret sauces, and menus that beg you to leave room for dessert. We’ve rounded up the best steakhouses in Riyadh and they all excel in their own unique ways. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or simply someone who enjoys a hearty meal, these venues promise a memorable dining experience.
1. Swiss Butter
Swiss Butter is proof that simplicity is the key to success. With three locations across Riyadh, the welcoming neighbourhood steakhouse has a simple menu featuring three main dishes: beef filet, chicken breast, and salmon filet, all smothered in a secret Swiss Butter sauce. Each main is served with a mesclun salad, freshly baked baguette, chilli flakes, and a choice of fries or baked potato.
The casual dining area, adorned with hanging plants and trees, feels like you’re eating in a garden and the fuss-free menu means the dishes are executed perfectly. For dessert, there’s a choice of molten chocolate fondant and pain perdu – both as delicious as each other!
2. Smokey Beards
Texas smokehouses are known for traditional cooking methods that involve slow-smoking meats over wood, often for many hours, to infuse them with a rich, smoky flavour. The likes of brisket, ribs and sausages are given a distinct flavour from the wood that’s used, typically oak, hickory or mesquite.
Smokey Beards is quickly gaining attention as the best smokehouse outside of Texas. It’s got a casual, down-to-earth atmosphere that makes it one of Riyadh’s go-to family-friendly restaurants. Hearty, flavourful, and tender meats are served with syrupy BBQ sauce and sides include southern comfort food classics like mac-n-cheese, coleslaw and potato salad.
3. La Citta
Set up high on the 15th floor of Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Riyadh with a picturesque terrace, La Citta is a sophisticated option for those craving a good steak. They offer an array of perfectly grilled signature bone-in steaks that are sourced from around the world and dry-aged to perfection.
From T-bone steaks to Tomahawks and Australian wagyu tenderloin, there’s a cut to suit every taste and budget. It’s also a great option if you’re dining with non-meat eaters, as the menu is as diverse as it is delicious, with classic pizzas, seafood and plenty of vegetarian options.
4. Uncle Khalil’s BBQ
Khalil Khazander is known as “the Godfather of Smoked Meat”, and for good reason. He sees cooking meat on an open fire as an art form, with Texas-style BBQ cooking that has been hugely popular in Jeddah before opening an outpost in Riyadh.
The ribs sandwich is a must-try here, filled with rack ribs smoked with barbecue sauce over wood for up to 18 hours. As for the sides, the broccoli salad or Mexican salad are great options if you’re feeling virtuous – just don’t skip on the BBQ sauce.
5. Porterhouse
Porterhouse burst onto Riyadh’s restaurant scene in 2016 as one of the city's top steakhouses. Helmed by Chef Khaled Al Hussaini, it offers a refined twist on the classic meat feast in a modern, stylish space that’s ideal for date nights and big dinners with friends.
The most popular appetisers include burrata, kale salad, and spicy Vietnamese carpaccio, but the star attractions are, of course, the steaks. Premium cuts, such as Australian Angus, New Zealand grass-fed, and Korean wagyu, are dry-aged in-house for 21 days and grilled over wood and charcoal for maximum flavour. If you can’t decide, there’s also a tasting menu.
6. Lucca, Riyadh
With two Riyadh locations, Lucca Steakhouse is a popular, high-end steak restaurant. Open-fire cooking and dimly lit, cosy interiors make the dramatic flame displays all the more captivating in this well-loved spot. It’s renowned for its exceptional steaks, including a mouth-watering Wagyu cut and asado for two.
If red meat isn’t your preference, they also serve pasta and chicken burgers. Don’t miss the cotton candy ice cream or baklava for dessert. Quick service and friendly staff make it an excellent choice for business lunches.
7. Marble
Homegrown wonder Marble is led by self-taught head chef Abdulrahman Alsowailem, whose passion lies in showcasing different cuts of premium beef. The brilliance of this restaurant is reflected in the popularity of the smoked brisket, the glorious short ribs, and the famed Marble Burger that brings depths of flavour to high-quality ingredients. Artisanal sauces pair brilliantly with the elite cuts of meat and it’s this simplicity that brings unexpected sophistication to a restaurant with such a singular focus. Marble is a destination for discerning travellers seeking excellence in its purest flavoured-focused form.
8. Beefbar
Beefbar is an international sensation from Monte-Carlo, launched by Riccardo Giraudi in 2005. It has earned global acclaim, winning "No. 1 Steak Restaurant" by the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants for two consecutive years. Now in Riyadh, this luxurious restaurant, inspired by Art Nouveau, is ideal for special occasions.
The dining experience here is a blend of sophistication and playful charm, featuring elegant dishes with whimsical touches like emoji plates and desserts that look savoury. The opulent Art Deco design, with curved mirrors and gold hues, brings a touch of Monte-Carlo glitz and glamour to Saudi Arabia.
9. House of Grill
House of Grill, a relative newcomer to the Riyadh dining scene, has quickly made an impression since opening less than a year ago. Located in the plush Fairmont Riyadh, this steakhouse combines 1920s flair with modern elegance, making it an excellent choice for those looking to impress. The dining space has been designed with Great Gatsby-style interiors, featuring Art Deco touches, old gramophones and radios, and framed photos lining the pillars.
A statement bar also adds to the intimate, glamorous atmosphere. Led by Michelin Star Chef Nicolas Isnard, House of Grill offers personalised service and a sophisticated menu showcasing prime meat cuts, fresh ocean delicacies, and reinvented steakhouse classics. Stylish foodies and connoisseurs will appreciate the charming chef's table experience too.
10. Kintan
For a family-style steak restaurant in Riyadh, Kintan is a fun option that offers something different to the typical steak and fries order. Located in Al Wadi, it’s a renowned Japanese-style yakiniku (grilled meat) experience. Enjoy a fun, interactive dining experience where you can cook your own meat at your table, which is equipped with a built-in smokeless grill. There’s premium kalbi short ribs, wagyu striploin steak and, for those who aren't keen on red meat, the chicken miso is also delicious.
