There are plenty of restaurants in Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh but you can’t just go spending money without knowing which one is the real value for money.
Don’t worry. I am here to help you.
The Diplomatic Quarter or DQ as the locals like to call it isn’t just a place to bring in your passports or enjoy the green fields it is a hotspot for some of the best restaurants in Riyadh.
If you are looking for buffets, Lebanese food, or even international cuisine you will find it at this corner of Riyadh.
And being one of the top places in Riyadh I assure you will enjoy your lunch or dinner with a fantastic view.
So grab your passports because you will be walking out with a visa and a full stomach from the Diplomatic Quarter.
1. Goji Kitchen
This restaurant is all about giving you a taste of everything and by everything I mean everything. This restaurant in the diplomatic quarter of Riyadh is known for its buffet that has hundreds of dishes to choose from.
You will feel full before you even try half of this buffet.
They have a wide variety of international cuisines, but they are most popular for their Indian food. If you are someone who just can’t stick to one flavor (we’ve all been there, right?).
From Indian food and sushi to Arabic shawarmas and pastas you will get everything at this hit location.
And did I mention the ambiance?
With a combination of white and brown color scheme, the place is welcoming and calm. If the weather is good get your seat outdoors and enjoy the view with palm trees and green grass around the restaurant.
Location
This restaurant is located in the Marriot Hotel Diplomatic Quarter at 6781 3087 Abdullah Alsahmi St, Al Safarat, Riyadh 12511, Saudi Arabia
Cuisine Variety and Specialties
Now on to the main thing THE FOOD.
You can get everything you think of at this restaurant. The most famous dishes they have are the Indian dishes which include biryani, garlic rice, and palak panner but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
If you love Asian food then you can get fresh sushi on their lunch and dinner buffet. They also have a whole fresh food section for those vegetarians that includes salads, fresh juices, and fruits.
On the Arabic food section in the buffet, you will get lamb chops, slow-cooked beef, and creamy hummus too.
I could go on for hours about their menu, and it still wouldn’t do justice to the variety and flavors they offer.
If you are going in there for the first time I would recommend the red sauce pasta and their chicken biryani.
I TOTALLY FORGOT!
You can also find a dedicated dessert section with pastries and cakes that will be enough for your sweet tooth.
Timings
This restaurant at Diplomatic Quarter offers breakfast dinner and lunch all under one roof. Their timings are:
Wednesday 6:30 am–11 pm
Thursday 6:30 am–11 pm
Friday 6:30 am–11 pm
Saturday 6:30 am–11 pm
Sunday 6:30 am–11 pm
Monday 6:30 am–11 pm
Tuesday 6:30 am–11 pm
My Experience At Goji Kitchen Diplomatic Quarter
When you walk into this place you will instantly be impressed by the design and layout of the restaurant. Being in the diplomatic quarter they have kept their quality really good.
The staff is friendly and will help you find the best seating spot and guide you through the menu items.
I went for their biryani and I wasn’t disappointed. The biryani had a perfect balance without being too spicy. I also tried their sushi which was fresh and smelled really good too.
The waiters kept checking up to see if I needed anything which is a good gesture and makes you feel more comfortable.
The slow music adds to the ambiance and gives you a nice relaxed vibe.
I have to admit, I walked in hungry and walked out completely stuffed (and happy)! Overall I would rate this place 8.5 out of 10 for their ambiance and food and 9.5 out of 10 for their service.
Summary Of Goji Kitchen
Location | Marriott Hotel, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh |
Cuisine Variety | International buffet – Indian, Asian, Arabic, Italian, Vegetarian options |
Popular Dishes | Chicken Biryani, Red Sauce Pasta, Sushi, Garlic Rice, Lamb Chops |
Ambiance | Modern, calm, white & brown color scheme, outdoor seating with palm trees |
Special Features | Live cooking stations, fresh salad & juice section, dedicated dessert section |
Timings | 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM (Daily) |
Price Range | Mid-to-high, buffet-style pricing |
My Rating | Food: 8.5/10, Service: 9.5/10 |
Best For | Buffet lovers, international cuisine enthusiasts, casual family dining |
2. Joe & The Juice – Healthy Restaurant At Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh
Did someone mention sandwiches and juices?
Joe & The Juice came all the way from Denmark to serve you delicious and healthy sandwiches, juices, and salads at Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh.
This restaurant At Diplomatic Quarter is known for serving healthy and delicious food combined with a unique ambiance.
The interior design is a combination of brown and green colors which symbolizes health and freshness. The unique thing is the pink color in some parts of the interior which makes this place stand out.
They have a wide range of juices but if you are into fitness I would recommend trying their protein shakes.
DISCLAIMER!
Once you try them you will be coming here every single day.
Apart from this this restaurant also has a nice outdoor dining area but the downside is that the view does not complement the overall vibe of the restaurant.
The inside however does feel healthy with green plants all over the restaurant and those small green sofas are definitely comfortable.
Timings
The Diplomatic Quarter restaurant is popular for its breakfast and its timings are usually:
Wednesday | 7 am–12 am |
Thursday | 7 am–12 am |
Friday | 7 am–12 am |
Saturday | 7 am–12 am |
Sunday | 7 am–12 am |
Monday | 7 am–12 am |
Tuesday | 7 am–12 am |
Must-Try Dishes
I would recommend this place for breakfast because their food will keep you energized throughout the day. I loved their sandwiches section the most and I would recommend:
- Spicy Tuna Sandwich
- Tunacado Sandwich
- Joe’s Club Sandwich
- Jos’S Green Mile
- Green Tuna Bowl
If you’re a fan of fruit-filled beverages, the Power Shake (vanilla milk, strawberries, banana) is a must-try!
My Experience At Joe & The Juice
I visited this place for breakfast because I needed a good start to my day. You will be amazed by how good the interior feels. Forget about the food you will be sitting here making snaps all day long.
The neat and clean atmosphere was relaxing and the warm welcome by the staff complimented the overall feel.
The tuna sandwich did not disappoint with well-seasoned tuna and fresh lettuce and tomatoes it was not only healthy but also delicious.
Next was the unique Tunacado Sandwich. This was a unique combination of Tuna and Avocado and I just don’t know how they made it so good.
The tuna and the creamy avocado perfectly complemented each other and created a nice light taste.
I also tried the Green Vegan Bowl, packed with avocado, spinach, and onions, topped with a zesty lemon dressing. The portion size was generous and offered great value for money.
Even though I arrived early, I had some trouble finding parking, which was the only issue I encountered during my entire experience at this restaurant.
Overall I would give a nice 8.5 out of 10 rating to this restaurant for its food, service, and ambiance.
Summary Of Joe & The Juice
Location | Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh |
Cuisine Variety | Healthy sandwiches, salads, juices, and shakes. |
Popular Dishes | Tunacado Sandwich, Spicy Tuna Sandwich, Power Shake. |
Ambiance | Fresh and cozy, with green plants and comfortable seating. |
Special Features | Outdoor dining, healthy options, protein shakes. |
Timings | 7 AM to 12 AM every day. |
Price Range | Moderate. |
My Rating | 8.5/10 – Great food and ambiance, but parking can be difficult. |
Best For | Healthy breakfast and light meals in a relaxed setting. |
3. Leila – Lebanese Restaurant In Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh
Lebanese food is among the most popular cuisines in Riyadh and the good news is that you can find it at Diplomatic Quarter too.
Leila has branches all over the Middle East and is famous for their authentic, healthy, and traditional Lebanese dishes.
The restaurant offers a welcoming atmosphere, blending both traditional and modern elements to create a unique dining experience.
With large windows and huge walls, the place seems ancient and traditional while the soft lights and slow music add a touch of modernism to it.
The restaurant has comfortable seating, green plants for a refreshing touch, and natural light, adding to the laid-back, relaxed ambiance.
If you enjoy Al Fresco dining then you can choose to sit outdoors during those rainy or cool days to enjoy your dinner.
Must-Try Dishes
I wish I could tell you to try their whole menu because each and every item is just perfect. I tried their cold mezze, hot mezze, and grills and platters menu. The items that you should try if you visit this place for the first time are:
- Artichoke Salad (221 Kcal)
- Raheb Salad (150 Kcal)
- Hummus Shawarma (728 Kcal)
- Chicken Osmanliyeh (453 Kcal)
Timings
Thursday | 7:30 am–11:30 pm |
Friday | 7:30 am–11:30 pm |
Saturday | 7:30 am–11:30 pm |
Sunday | 12–11:30 pm |
Monday | 12–11:30 pm |
Tuesday | 12–11:30 pm |
Wednesday | 12–11:30 pm |
My Experience at Leila
On my visit to Leila, I tried their Hummus with Diced Veal, and it did not disappoint.
The creamy hummus along with the tender veal and crunchy pine nuts, was a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
The Raheb Salad was a refreshing dish, with the smoky flavor of the grilled eggplant perfectly complemented by the pomegranate and fresh mint.
For the main course, I had the famous Chicken Osmanliyeh.
The chicken was crispy and flavorful, with the garlic dip adding just the right amount of tanginess. The portion sizes were big and I couldn’t move because I ate too much.
The ambiance at Leila was warm and welcoming, though the restaurant was quite busy during my visit, making it a little challenging to get immediate service. Despite this, the overall experience was pleasant.
I would rate this place an 8 out of 10 for its service, ambiance, and food.
Summary Of Leila
Location | Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh |
Cuisine Variety | Authentic Lebanese dishes, including cold mezze, hot mezze, salads, grills, and platters. |
Popular Dishes | – Artichoke Salad (221 Kcal) – Raheb Salad (150 Kcal) – Hummus Shawarma (728 Kcal) – Chicken Osmanliyeh (453 Kcal) |
Ambiance | Multiple branches across the Middle East. Outdoor seating is available. Laid-back and relaxed atmosphere |
Special Features | Multiple branches across the Middle East. Outdoor seating available. Laid-back and relaxed atmosphere |
Timings | Thursday to Saturday: 7:30 AM – 11:30 PM Sunday to Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 11:30 PM |
Price Range | Moderate to high. |
My Rating | 8/10 for food quality, ambiance, and service. |
Best For | Casual dining, family gatherings, and enjoying authentic Lebanese dishes in a cozy atmosphere. |
Conclusion
So that’s my list of the Best Restaurants in the Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh. I have tried over twenty restaurants at this location and picked three of my favorites.
New restaurants in Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh are opening every day but before you try any other restaurant make sure you try these and let me know what your experience was like.