Where We Are Going Today: Yauatcha – Chinese restaurant in Riyadh

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Updated 09 September 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Yauatcha – Chinese restaurant in Riyadh

  • The highlight for many is the outdoor terrace, a serene space adorned with cherry blossom trees, offering sweeping views of the city skyline

There is dim sum, and then there is dim sum at Yauatcha in Riyadh.

The Chinese restaurant and tea house on the upper floor of the glamorous Al-Faisaliah Mall has quickly established itself as one of the capital’s most luxurious dining experiences.

With its soft lighting, elegant seating, and sophisticated ambiance, Yauatcha is a place that makes diners feel like VIP guests from the moment they walk in. 

The highlight for many is the outdoor terrace, a serene space adorned with cherry blossom trees, offering sweeping views of the city skyline. Even on hot summer evenings, the terrace is a perfect spot to unwind over jasmine tea and an assortment of carefully crafted dim sum — delicate small bites that are as beautiful as they are flavorful.

Signature dishes include the crispy duck salad, a favorite for its rich flavors and textural balance, and the hot and sour chicken soup, which offers just the right amount of spice.

The wok-tossed tiger prawns with garlic rice are another standout, perfectly seasoned and generously portioned. They also offer vegetarian options, ensuring that everyone, regardless of dietary preference, finds something to enjoy.

For meat lovers, the wagyu smoked beef has earned rave reviews, with its melt-in-the-mouth texture and buttery flavor. Paired with spicy prawns or seafood dumplings, it is an unforgettable experience.

Yauatcha also shines in the dessert and mocktail department. And while prices lean toward the higher side, the quality of the food, service, and setting make it worthwhile.

Parking in the area can be a bit of a challenge, but guests will find that the short wait is a small price to pay for the experience. 

Whether for a romantic date night, a celebratory dinner, or simply to indulge in high-end Chinese cuisine, Yauatcha provides a culinary journey that blends taste, elegance, and atmosphere.

 


Tashas’ founder lauds Kingdom’s ‘appetite for authentic dining experiences’

Updated 18 November 2025
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Tashas’ founder lauds Kingdom’s ‘appetite for authentic dining experiences’

  • Saudi is ‘exciting’ location, says Natasha Sideris
  • Dining here is ‘deeply social and family-oriented’

DUBAI: With outposts in London, Dubai and South Africa, restaurant brand Tashas is making headway in Saudi Arabia with the recent opening of a branch in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District.

Founded in 2005 by South Africans Natasha Sideris and her brother Savva, the Riyadh cafe features a curated dinner menu alongside the brand’s well-known daytime offerings, as well as its largest cake display to date with over 25 options.

Jill Okkers is the culinary director. (Supplied)

Culinary director Jill Okkers said the Kingdom’s culture has played a key role in shaping the Riyadh menu. “Dining in Saudi Arabia is a deeply social and family-oriented experience, it’s about connection, generosity and shared moments,” she said.

The Riyadh cafe features a curated dinner menu alongside the brand’s well-known daytime offerings. (Supplied)

“That balance really comes down to staying true to our DNA while being open enough to let the local culture influence us in a meaningful way,” she added.

“In Saudi Arabia, we might work with local dates, spices or breads in ways that still feel distinctly Tashas — approachable, elegant and layered with nostalgia.”

Culinary director Jill Okkers said the Kingdom’s culture has played a key role in shaping the Riyadh menu. (Supplied)

Discussing the new location, CEO and founder Sideris said recently: “Since the opening of Flamingo Collection in Bujairi Terrace, alongside our partners, Janiya, we had been looking for a location for our first Tashas.”

She said that KAFD was the “most aligned in terms of an entry into the market.”

Tashas was founded in 2005 by South Africans Natasha Sideris and her brother Savva. (Supplied)

Sideris added that each branch is tailored to its setting. “We’ve always followed a simple formula: every Tashas is 75 percent the same and 25 percent unique.

“The Kingdom is such an exciting region for us; there’s an appetite for authentic dining experiences, and we see considerable potential to grow here in a meaningful way.”