Where We Are Going Today: Bianca Bakery & Restaurant in Riyadh

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Bianca Bakery & Restaurant has quickly become a go-to for diners in the capital seeking both comfort food and elegant presentation. (Supplied)
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Bianca Bakery & Restaurant has quickly become a go-to for diners in the capital seeking both comfort food and elegant presentation. (Supplied)
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Bianca Bakery & Restaurant has quickly become a go-to for diners in the capital seeking both comfort food and elegant presentation. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 September 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Bianca Bakery & Restaurant in Riyadh

Combining the charm of a European cafe with the refinement of a fine-dining destination, Bianca Bakery & Restaurant is tucked inside the fashionable Via Riyadh complex.

It has quickly become a go-to for diners in the capital seeking both comfort food and elegant presentation. The restaurant is immaculate, the atmosphere warm and the interior beyond stylish.

The menu is impressive, featuring a wide range of offerings from fresh salads and artisanal pizzas to indulgent desserts and classic pastries.

The Bianca Salad is highly rated for its freshness, while the almond croissant proved a star choice. The pizzas — particularly the Margherita — stood out for their flavor and authentic Italian sauce while the steak, although flavorsome, could have been presented a little better. The tiramisu and cheesecake were both exceptional.

There were some niggles, with slow service during peak hours and main courses arriving before drinks and appetizers.

Bianca also operates a bakery that supplies fresh pastries to other venues across Via Riyadh, but with its fantastic desserts, quality coffee and excellent pizzas, it is well worth a visit — whether for a chic breakfast, casual lunch or refined dinner.
 

 

 

 


Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia announces final wave of restaurants

Updated 15 December 2025
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Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia announces final wave of restaurants

DUBAI: The Michelin Guide in Saudi Arabia on Monday unveiled the final wave of restaurants in its three-part rollout, with three new Bib Gourmands awarded to restaurants in Riyadh, and one each in Jeddah and AlUla.

A total of 52 restaurants, spanning across Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla, make up the Michelin Guide Saudi Arabia 2026 selection, with 11 establishments earning the Bib Gourmand distinction.

The Bib Gourmand award highlights restaurants within the selection which offer good quality food at an affordable price, whereas the Michelin Selected restaurants are noted for the high standard of their cooking and consistency. It’s an endorsement that they’re worth visiting, aligned with the guide’s professional standards.

 

 

In Riyadh, the newly awarded Bib Gourmand restaurants include Lebanese eatery Em Sherif Café, local favorite Najd Village, and Persian-inspired Sasani. 

Jeddah’s new Bib Gourmand awardee is Samia’s Dish, known for its Hijazi classics.

And, finally, in AlUla, the Bib Gourmand was awarded to Tofareya, a local favorite in a charming village house at the foot of AlUla’s fort, serving authentic Saudi dishes.

 

 

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, said in a statement: “Michelin Inspectors enjoyed dining everywhere whether humble village houses steeped in heritage to chic contemporary spaces that celebrate modern design. The country’s tables showcase a rich mix of influences, blending Saudi roots with Levantine warmth, Peruvian flair, and international sophistication. This diversity reflects a nation proud of its culture yet open to the world.”

The wave of announcements mark a milestone in the Kingdom’s evolving culinary landscape.

Poullennec spoke to Arab News in Paris in October the future of Saudi Arabia’s food scene. “When we are talking about Saudi, we still have to consider that it’s an emerging both gastronomic and hospitality destination … the second step … is to see more independently run and smaller properties blossom.”