Situated on the bustling Takhassusi Road, Auria offers a high-end dining and bakery experience in the heart of the capital.
The best way to describe the restaurant is modern and cozy, featuring dim lighting, comfortable seating, and attentive staff.
Before diving into the menu and recommendations, it is worth noting the restaurant’s no-children policy — a choice that feels somewhat unusual given that Riyadh is such a family-oriented city.
Those arriving with children under the age of 13, whether with a reservation or as a walk-in, can expect to be turned away and denied service.
The restaurant offers a fine-dining experience characterized by smaller, more refined portions at a higher price point.
Most starters range from SR55 ($15) to SR75, while the majority of main dishes fall between SR85 and SR135.
Among the starters, the highly recommended dishes include the crispy shrimp tempura — four pieces served with a zesty chili-yuzu mayo — and the lobster kari, which features prawns, cream cheese, and a vibrant coriander-jalapeno dressing.
Another top-rated starter is the grilled corn salad, a vibrant mix of avocado, citrus, and fresh herbs topped with caramelized nuts. The shrimp salad also makes for a refreshing beginning, though it remains a third-choice contender when compared to the standout corn salad.
Regarding the pasta, both the penne arrabbiata and the rigatoni pecorino felt somewhat standard. While well-executed, they were not quite as exciting as the rest of the menu.
For the main courses, there is a choice of several proteins, including sea bass, lamb, veal, chicken and steak. Of these, the most highly recommended are the grilled prime angus fillet and the veal al limone.
The steak was exceptionally tender and juicy, yielding easily to the knife, while the veal was light and buttery with a bright citrus finish.
We were warmly greeted with traditional Saudi coffee, and throughout our meal, our coffee cup was never allowed to run dry.
The restaurant itself is very spacious, offering seating on both sides of the dining area.
While the oversized, cozy chairs are a key attribute of the luxurious ambiance, they are quite heavy and difficult to adjust, often requiring the assistance of a server to help you slide in or out of the table.
In addition to the lunch and dinner service, the restaurant offers a breakfast menu which we have not tried yet.
While the no-children policy and the premium price point may be factors, the quality of the food and the quiet, upscale atmosphere make it a notable, under-the-radar destination in Riyadh.
