Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) today announces the F&B brands for its 15,000 square metre premium dining destination as part of the $50.6 billion USD (190 billion SAR) transformation of the historic city of Diriyah, located 15-minutes north-west of Riyadh city centre.
Due for completion in early 2022, the asset collection will feature 18 food and beverage brands, four of which are Michelin starred restaurants – Bruno, Tatel, Hakkasan and Long Chim, meticulously curated to cater for both local and international markets, and forms part of the overall first phase of DGDA’s development.
As part of DGDA’s ambitious goal to reveal Diriyah as Saudi Arabia’s foremost historical, cultural and lifestyle destination, the premium dining destination, constructed based on traditional Najdi architecture, will enjoy uninterrupted views of Diriyah’s Jewel of the Kingdom, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, and birthplace of the First Saudi state.
The food and beverage brands and operators have been hand-picked, offering various global flagship names as befits Diriyah’s status and prominence, as well as Middle Eastern and particularly Saudi cuisine to ensure authenticity and context.
A list of the confirmed brands is below, with additional names forthcoming:
- World Class Global Brands (all new to KSA)
- Angelina, Parisian cuisine
- Brunch & Cake, all-day dining
- Bruno, Michelin-starred French-Italian cuisine *
- Café de L’Esplanade, French cuisine
- COVA, Italian cuisine
- Flamingo Room by tashas, International cuisine
- Hakkasan, Michelin-starred London-based modern Chinese cuisine *
- Long Chim, Michelin-starred Thai cuisine *
- Mastro’s, steakhouse
- Sarabeth’s, American cuisine
- Tatel, Michelin-starred Spanish cuisine *
- Villa Mamas, Middle Eastern cuisine
Mastro’s, Bruno and Café de L’Esplanade are all brand new names to the wider Middle East region. It’s the first time that Mastro’s will have opened a restaurant outside the USA, and the first time that Bruno and Café de L’Esplanade have restaurants outside of France. COVA, a historic Pasticceria dating back to 1817 recognized for an opulence that delivers tailored creativity on a plate, Cova makes its foray into the KSA as the epitome of a time capsule of Italian tradition.
*Denotes Michelin starred restaurant
- Local Saudi-Owned Brands
- GRIND, café dining
- Somewhere, all-day dining
- SUGAR, desserts
- Sum + Things, all-day dining
- TAKYA, Saudi contemporary cuisine
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO, DGDA, stated: “The forthcoming opening of Bujairi Terrace demonstrates tangible progress in the implementation of His Royal Highness Mohammed Bin Salman’s Vision 2030, an exciting illustration of the far-reaching and ambitious vision we are honored to be part of with Saudi Arabia’s monumental transformation. We’re delighted to partner with such esteemed dining brands and to have attracted several new to market restaurant operators, representing an enriched consumer experience which will be unmatched in the region.”
Jonathan Timms, President, Diriyah Development Company said: “Bujairi Terrace’s superb location within Riyadh province and overlooking the Jewel of the Kingdom, UNESCO World Heritage Site At Turaif, has led to a world-class curation of global F&B brands. We look forward to providing an iconic dining setting for our partners’ brands, many of whom will be opening for the first time in Saudi Arabia and some even as a first in the Middle East, which we anticipate will attract first rate dining guests from both the local as well as international markets.”
On completion, the development will feature an array of world-class cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, office and residential areas, including 38 hotels, a diverse collection of museums, and a bustling retail heart to complement the newly-revealed Bujairi Terrace. Overall, it is anticipated that the development will add 27 Billion Saudi Riyals to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s GDP, provide 55,000 job opportunities and attract 27 million visitors annually.