In the Saudi city of Diriyah, one of the districts blending the historical with the modern is Al-Bujairi. Its originality lies in its mosques and small houses scattered all around, which bear witness to the social life and architecture of the past.
There are numerous international and local restaurants and stores, covering an area of 15,000 square meters, with details inspired by Najd’s originality. Its history is full of architecture and superb historic views of the Al-Turaif Quarter, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are special bike paths and visitors can stroll along the trails that trace the Kingdom’s history and stories, when Diriyah was the capital of the first Saudi state.
The recently opened Bujairi Terrace offers a high-end experience near Wadi Hanifa, where visitors’ senses are immersed in Michelin-starred international tastes, in four restaurants, between Italian, French, Spanish and American cuisines. The Terrace welcomes a number of restaurants opening their doors for the first time in the Middle East, such as: Mastro’s and Bruno’s, in addition to Café de Lisplanade. Guests can also discover the delights of traditional Saudi dishes presented in a modern way at the Takiya restaurant.
Bujairi Terrace lives up to its promise of becoming the Kingdom’s premier fine dining destination.
Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO, Ad Diriyah Gate Development Authority
“The opening of Bujairi Terrace demonstrates tangible progress in the implementation of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy,” said Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO, Ad Diriyah Gate Development Authority. “It is an exciting illustration of the far-reaching and ambitious national transformation which we are all honored to contribute to. The exciting mix of local Saudi and internationally renowned restaurants will help ensure Bujairi Terrace lives up to its promise of becoming the Kingdom’s premier fine dining destination.”
Inaugurated on the 4th of December 2022, the Bujairi Terrace project boasts over 20 world-renowned restaurants offering visitors exquisite international cuisine as well as a wide variety of traditional local dishes in beautiful surroundings.
Highlights
1. Maiz
Maiz is unique fine dining concept that brings authentic Saudi cuisine in a thematic Saudi Arabian cultural setting, that is part of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plan, located in Diriyah.
Maiz is set up in an idyllic setting far away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life. It offers authentic Saudi food to locals and tourists and brings the best cuisines from around the regions that make up the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the world’s first such authentic Saudi restaurant that brings out the best of the Saudi culture, heritage and cuisine.
2. Chez Bruno
Chez Bruno is an award-winning French restaurant specializing in truffles, located just outside the old market town of Lorgues. Bruno features black truffles in all its dishes. Bruno, which has been in his family for over two generations, is expanding to Saudi Arabia for the first time, offering Diriyah Gate diners something completely new.
3. Altopiano
A Middle Eastern-influenced Sicilian restaurant. The hints of Arabia is found in the menu’s dishes including stuffed meats and vegetables and the use of fruits in savoury dishes and nuts in desserts. The Saudi-born brand promises to rediscover forgotten recipes bridging the Italian and Arab worlds, using fresh, seasonal and Saudi ingredients wherever possible.
4. Cova
Born in Milan in 1817, Cova is the oldest pasticceria in Italy and has made it’s way to the city for the first time. Specialising in pastries, both sweet and savoury, COVA is more than just that. Serving traditional Italian dishes fo lunch and dinner, the menu goes beyond mini cakes and éclairs. Don’t be afraid to tap into mains like saffron risotto, beef tenderloin tagliata, and a classic burrata.
5. Hakkasan
Chinese restaurant Hakkasan is described as having one of the largest terraces overlooking the heritage site. It will offer visitors a high-end Chinese experience blending Cantonese recipes with contemporary influences. The kitchen team will create modern dishes using traditional techniques and top-quality ingredients.
6. Angelina Paris
Angelina Paris is a French café offering Riyadh residents a direct entry into the world of Parisian flavours and interiors. The café embodies 20th-century France by combining simplicity with Parisian tradition. In 1903, the confectioner Anton Rumpelmayer founded Angelina with his son René, a tea house at No.226, Rue de Rivoli, named after his daughter-in-law, Angelina.
7. Sum + Things
Sum+Things is a modern concept store and dining destination featuring a store, lounge, café and gallery, all under one roof. Sum + Things is the first of its kind in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East created by Saudi-based Aseel Holding.
8. Sarabeth’s
The famous bakery chain was founded by Sarabeth Levine in 1981 in New York, with the production of her family’s 200-year-old recipe for orange apricot marmalade. Breakfast dishes include chia pudding parfait, morning fruit bowl, French toast, waffles, pancakes, omelettes, smoked salmon with scrambled eggs on a multigrain bagel.
9. Long Chim
The restaurant was conceived by David Thompson, the founder of the legendary Thai restaurant Nahm. It will offer a casual but still authentic take on Thai food, with dishes like sour orange prawn curry, grill, red snapper fish cakes, and grilled beef salad with roasted rice. Long Chim has restaurants in Sydney, Perth and London. Long Chim means “come and try” in Thai.
10. Tatel
Some of Tatel’s specialties include Spanish tortilla with black truffle, Bluefin tuna carpaccio with housemade olive oil, and paella with seafood and a vegetarian option as well.
Bujairi Terrace is located in Diriyah, about 18 km from the center of Riyadh. It’s open during the winter season, from Saturday to Wednesday, from 10:00 to midnight, while working hours on Thursday are from 10:00. until 01:00 and on Fridays from 14:00 to 02:00.
