There are hundreds of breakfast restaurants in Riyadh and sometimes it can be difficult to choose between so many options.
Riyadh’s food scene has seen a massive rise in the past few years with Japanese, Indian, and Pakistani restaurants taking over the city.
BUT
Having the same breakfast every day can be boring. It’s good to have a few breakfast spots in your mind so you don’t wake up standing blank in the middle of your kitchen.
If you are looking for an affordable, premium, or healthy breakfast Riyadh will not disappoint you.
After visiting tons of different breakfast places in Riyadh, we have picked the top 5 locations for breakfast that you must try at least once.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s find the best breakfast restaurants in Riyadh.
1. Bofia
The first breakfast restaurant in Riyadh on our list is this traditional and modern restaurant. This restaurant is open from 7 AM to 4 PM and has quickly become a go-to spot for many people.
The restaurant is named after the traditional canteens which serve quick, local, low-priced delicious meals and drinks.
If you are looking for an affordable breakfast in Riyadh then this place should be on top of your list. The restaurant is famous for its breakfast and low prices.
They have a very detailed menu that includes things like shakshouka, hummus different kinds of Kebdah, falafel, and drinks like coffee, tea, and pots.
Location:
The restaurant is located in Shorofat at 7089 Abi Bakr As Siddiq Rd, An Nada, Riyadh 13317, Saudi Arabia
Must Try Menu Items
We went for breakfast at this restaurant at around 10 AM and everyone ordered different things. While we enjoyed most of the dishes but the most favorites for us were:
- Truffle Cheese Kebdah
- Harissa Eggs
- Vegetable meat
- Fresh orange juice
Positive Reviews About Bofia
Positive reviews covered different aspects of the restaurant and mainly focused on food. While there were compliments for almost every dish the shakshuka got a lot of positive reviews.
People mentioned that the ground seating is better than the chairs and the prices are really good for the amount of food served.
The restaurant’s hygiene and ambiance were also mentioned in many positive reviews.
Negative Reviews About Bofia
They have an overall 3.6-star rating on Google with almost 2k reviews. Negative reviews mention several different aspects of the restaurant.
Most reviewers mentioned that the restaurant has a very slow service and takes almost an hour to get your food ready. This is not ideal because usually people are in a rush in the morning.
The next thing that got a lot of negative reviews is their Kabdah I don’t know why but I actually liked it a lot.
People also mentioned that the tea is served cold sometimes and most cheese dishes are usually not available.
2. AOK Healthy Breakfast
This breakfast restaurant came all the way from London to Riyadh. If you are health conscious then this place is for you.
AOK was introduced with the concept of limited gluten, dairy, and refined sugar. It opened in Riyadh in June 2022 and has ever since been a popular spot for healthy breakfast.
The interior design and ambiance of this restaurant are minimalist yet very attractive. They have options for both open-air and indoor dining.
They have truly made healthy food delicious with options ranging from healthy pancakes all the way to hamburgers and salads.
Location:
KAFD Wadi حي, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13519, Saudi Arabia
Must Try Breakfast Items At AOK
We tried different items for breakfast because we wanted to make sure we gave an honest review about their food. Three dishes that are surely a must-try when you visit this place are:
- A.O.K. Pancake (94.0 SR): I have to tell you these are the best pancakes I tried in Riyadh. These gluten-free pancakes are served with organic maple syrup, coconut chantilly, and fresh berries.
- Egg Sandwich In Brioche Bread (43.0 SR): you don’t find this kind of bread anywhere else so enjoy it to the fullest here. This dish includes brioche bread, truffle mustard, and baby spinach.
- Smoked Salmon Bagel (52.0 SR): if you want a heavy breakfast then this one is for you. The ingredients include noug cream cheese, smoked salmon, and radish shavings.
Positive Reviews About AOK
Many reviewers mentioned their breakfast which is good because that is exactly what I was looking for.
Customers mentioned that the portions of food are really big and is a total value for money. People who have tried this restaurant in London mentioned that the taste is just the same as that in London.
Their pancakes, Avocado and Egg on Sourdough, seabass, and crunchy avocado toast got the most love from the positive reviews.
Negative Reviews About AOK
Most negative reviews involved the restaurant staff and slow service.
Most of the negative reviews mentioned that their order arrived very late just like the previous restaurant.
Customers also complained that the outdoor seating while beautiful is not comfortable at all because people sit too close to each other. Usually, the tables are empty but they will tell you that they are reserved so you have to adjust somewhere else.
There were also many reviews about finding hair in food but luckily I checked mine and it was fine.
Some reviewers also commented that the waiters don’t really have an understanding of the menu and culture of Saudi.
3. Urth Cafe Riyadh
As a global chain, this café/restaurant has branches all over the world, and fortunately, there’s one in Riyadh as well.
When I visited this café the only word that could describe it was
UNIQUE
I have never seen a place like this before. The place is a combination of modern, healthy, and premium in one place. The café has an earthy look with small trees and flowers inside the dining area.
I guess its name Urth is actually taken from the word EARTH. The café offers a healthy breakfast and its menu is insanely detailed.
You will find each and every healthy dish on its menu from salads to fruits to fresh juices everything is available in this café.
Location:
They have several branches but the one I visited is at Roshn Front – Shopping Area Airport Road, King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia.
Positive Reviews
These reviews are all about the great décor and breakfast in this restaurant. People just like me were really impressed by the unique interior design of the restaurant.
Reviewers mentioned menu items like iced mocha coffee, New York cheesecake, Italian cappuccino, Crusted French toast with a side of scrambled eggs, and Buttermilk Pancakes were some of the most popular among the five-star reviews.
Customers also mentioned that this is probably the best breakfast restaurant in Riyadh for families and friends.
Negative Reviews
There may be 2 out of 100 reviews that criticize the food in restaurant. Most of the reviews for this specific branch are all about the poor service from the managers and waiters of the restaurant.
People mentioned that when you go there for solo lunch or breakfast you are not valued. A few of the customers mentioned that when they got there they were told to change seats frequently which was very disrespectful for them.
Apart from that some people mentioned that the manager was rude. I didn’t have an interaction with the manager but he surely didn’t look very friendly.
4. Avindar Café Breakfast In Riyadh
This is a modern café that blends Arabic taste with European cuisine to bring out new flavors. The café is focused only on breakfast and has different options like Arabic breakfast, pancakes, and crepes.
This restaurant has a very interesting interior design that is a blend of modern and countryside. The chairs are old school yet comfortable and the restaurant can accommodate large number of people.
When you enter this place you will see flowers almost everywhere and hear the sound of birds. If you are someone like me who loves forests then you will enjoy this place for sure.
Location:
This breakfast restaurant is located at MPV2+W2, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12221, Saudi Arabia.
Must Try Dishes At Avindar
I went with a group and tried almost all their menu items. Some were really good while most were normal. The dishes that I would recommend are:
- Arabic Breakfast Liver
- Mini Pancakes with Fruits
- Akkawi Pie
- Continental Breakfast
Positive Reviews
When I was visiting the restaurant it only had 140 reviews on Goole. Because of this, it was a bit difficult to decide what I would be trying and how my experience should be here.
The positive reviews were all about the great ambiance, calm atmosphere, and aesthetic vibes. People really enjoyed the food in restaurant and most even mentioned that this is probably the best restaurant for breakfast in Riyadh.
People mentioned that the portions were really big and were served right on time.
Negative Reviews
There weren’t many reviews but a few negative reviews mentioned that the Thyme Pie and spinach pie could have definitely been improved.
Some reviewers mentioned that the price was high compared to the taste of the food.
Apart from that most people seem to be satisfied with the restaurant.
5. Gonia Café Riyadh
Inspired by Greece Gonia café is an ideal sport for breakfast and brunch in Riyadh. The café is bright and colorful with different colors like greens and yellows filling up the walls.
It has a relaxing and calm atmosphere perfect for starting your day with a cup of coffee. The decor is inspired by Greece, with white walls and soft music in the background. The cafe feels peaceful, and the friendly staff make sure you have a great experience.
Location:
This breakfast café is located in: شركة بن كليب العقارية Al Takhassousi, حي النخيل, Riyadh 12384, Saudi Arabia.
Must Try Menu Items
Spanish Latte (Hot)
Passion Fruit Mojito
Fajitas Chicken Sandwich
San Sebastian Cheesecake
Positive Reviews
Positive reviews mentioned that the restaurant has a variety of coffee beans such as Columbian, El Salvador, Ethiopian, etc.
Their ambiance is mentioned in almost all the positive reviews I saw. People also seem to be loving their cheesecake and recommending them to new customers who visit this place.
While their hot drinks don’t get much attention people seem to be loving their deserts their Crepe and Tiramisu are found in a lot of positive reviews.
Negative Reviews
The main concern for many customers was that the place is supposed to be calm and relaxing but you can smell shesha in this place which ruins the whole experience for many people.
Their espresso also got quite some hate in the negative reviews and customers mentioned that it is just not worth the price.
People also frequently mentioned that the staff is not well trained and disrespects customers.
Conclusion
So there you have it! The top breakfast restaurants in Riyadh that are a must-try for you. After visiting many breakfast locations in Riyadh and carefully analyzing each I shortlisted these five as my favorite locations.
Riyadh is a big city and there are still many hidden breakfast places that I would have to explore so you can expect part two of this blog soon in the next month.
Till then try these restaurants in Riyadh and let me know what your experience was like.