Best Pizza Places in Riyadh: Where to Go for a Proper Slice
Words by
Fatima Al-Zahrani
Riyadh has a pizza scene that most visitors completely overlook, and after years of eating my way through the city, I can tell you that the best pizza places in Riyadh are scattered across neighborhoods you would never expect, from the old quarter near Al Olaya to the quieter corners of Al Malqa. I have walked into these spots at midnight on a Friday and at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday, and the difference in energy is like visiting two different cities. This Riyadh pizza guide is built from personal visits, not Google reviews, and every detail here comes from actually sitting at the tables, talking to the owners, and watching how each place fits into the broader character of this fast-changing capital.
1. Pizzaro Italian Restaurant – Al Olaya, King Fahd Road
Pizzaro on King Fahd Road has been a staple of the top pizza restaurants Riyadh for over a decade, and it still holds up. The restaurant sits along the busy Al Olaya stretch, tucked between office towers and shawarma shops, and the contrast is part of its charm. The wood-fired oven is visible from the dining room, and you can watch the pizzaiolo stretch dough while you wait. The Margherita DOC is the standout, made with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella that they import weekly. The crust has a proper leopard-spotted char, and the basil is cut fresh every morning.
What to Order: The Margherita DOC with a side of their house-made burrata drizzled in local Saudi sidr honey, which sounds unusual but works perfectly.
Best Time: Weekday lunch around 1:30 p.m., after the office crowd thins out but before the kitchen slows down.
The Vibe: The dining room is loud and family-friendly, with Arabic pop music playing over the speakers. The only real complaint I have is that the air conditioning near the entrance can feel weak during peak summer, so ask for a table toward the back.
Local Tip: If you are driving, parking on King Fahd Road is a nightmare after 6 p.m., so use the valet or walk from a side street. Pizzaro represents the older generation of Riyadh dining, a place that survived the city's rapid modernization by staying consistent.
2. Firegrill – Al Olaya, Tahlia Street
Firegrill is not just a pizza place, but their wood-fired pizzas are among the best in the city. Located on Tahlia Street, it has become a go-to for younger crowds who want a full meal that happens to include excellent pizza. The truffle pizza with wild mushrooms and fontina is rich and earthy, and the thin crust has a satisfying crunch. The open kitchen lets you see the flames licking the edges of the pies.
What to Order: The truffle pizza with wild mushrooms, and do not skip the roasted garlic bread as a starter.
Best Time: Thursday night around 9 p.m., when the place fills up but the kitchen is still firing on all cylinders.
The Vibe: Modern, dim lighting, lots of marble and brass. It feels like a place that could be in Dubai or London, which is both its strength and its weakness. Service can slow down badly during the Thursday dinner rush, so be patient.
Local Tip: Reservations are essential on weekends. Firegrill reflects the new Riyadh, the one that is opening up to global dining trends while still catering to local tastes.
3. Zaatar w Zeit – Multiple Locations, Including Al Olaya and Al Malqa
You might not think of Zaatar w Zeit when you think of the best pizza places in Riyadh, but their flatbread pizzas are a local institution. With branches across the city, including Al Olaya and Al Malqa, they serve a hybrid of Lebanese and Italian that works surprisingly well. The zaatar pizza with labneh and cherry tomatoes is a Riyadh original, and the spicy chicken flatbread has a kick that keeps you coming back.
What to Order: The zaatar pizza with labneh, and pair it with their fresh lemon-mint juice.
Best Time: Mid-morning around 11 a.m., when the bread is fresh out of the oven and the lines are short.
The Vibe: Bright, clean, fast-casual. It is the kind of place where you grab a quick bite between meetings. The Wi-Fi is reliable, which makes it a popular spot for remote workers.
Local Tip: The Al Malqa branch has a small outdoor seating area that most people miss. Zaatar w Zeit is a reminder that Riyadh's food identity is not just imported, it is a fusion that has been evolving for decades.
4. Piatto – Al Olaya, near Kingdom Tower
Piatto sits in the shadow of Kingdom Tower and has quietly built a reputation as one of the top pizza restaurants Riyadh has to offer. The Neapolitan-style pies are the focus, and the dough ferments for 72 hours, which gives it a tangy depth you can taste. The Diavola with spicy salami and Calabrian chili is my go-to, and the crust puffs up with those beautiful air pockets that serious pizza people look for.
What to Order: The Diavola, and if you are feeling adventurous, the pistachio pizza with mortadella is a sleeper hit.
Best Time: Friday afternoon around 3 p.m., when the lunch crowd is gone and the dinner rush has not started.
The Vibe: Intimate, with maybe 10 tables and a small bar. It feels like a neighborhood spot in Naples, which is exactly the point. The only downside is that the tables are close together, so privacy is limited.
Local Tip: Ask the server about the daily specials, which are never on the menu. Piatto is part of the wave of specialty restaurants that have transformed Al Olaya from a business district into a food destination.
5. Luciano – Al Olaya, near Al Faisaliah Tower
Luciano is where I take visitors who want to understand where to eat pizza Riyadh style, meaning a blend of Italian technique and Saudi hospitality. Located near Al Faisaliah Tower, the restaurant has been around long enough to have a loyal following. Their Quattro Formaggi is decadent, made with gorgonzola, fontina, parmesan, and mozzarella, and the crust is thin but sturdy enough to hold the weight.
What to Order: The Quattro Formaggi, and start with the arugula salad with shaved paresan to cut the richness.
Best Time: Sunday evening around 7 p.m., when the week is starting and the mood is relaxed.
The Vibe: White tablecloths, soft lighting, a little formal but not stuffy. It is the kind of place where families celebrate birthdays. The music can get a bit loud on weekend nights, so request a quieter table if that bothers you.
Local Tip: Luciano does a set menu for groups of six or more that is a great value. The restaurant has watched Al Olaya grow from a quiet commercial strip into one of the most dynamic dining corridors in the city.
6. Pizza 400 – Al Malqa, Northern Ring Road Area
Pizza 400 is a local chain that does not get enough credit in any Riyadh pizza guide. With a branch in the Al Malqa area near the Northern Ring Road, they serve New York-style slices that are big, foldable, and satisfying. The pepperoni slice is the classic order, with cups of crispy pepperoni that curl up and hold pools of grease in the best way.
What to Order: The pepperoni slice and a garlic knots side, which are pillowy and brushed with butter and parsley.
Best Time: Late night, around 11 p.m. or midnight, when the slice window is open and the city is winding down.
The Vibe: No-frills, counter service, a few tables. It is the kind of place you stumble into after a long night and leave happy. The seating area is small and can feel cramped when it is busy.
Local Tip: They do a late-night delivery window that goes past midnight, which is rare in Riyadh. Pizza 400 represents the everyday side of the city, the places that feed people without fanfare.
7. Cipriani – Al Khozama Hotel, Al Olaya
Cipriani inside the Al Khozama Hotel is not where most people look for the best pizza places in Riyadh, but the Venetian-style pizza here is exceptional. The Bellini pizza with prosciutto cotto and fresh mozzarella is light and elegant, and the dough is made with a touch of olive oil that gives it a silky texture. The dining room overlooks a garden, and the service is polished without being stiff.
What to Order: The Bellini pizza, and start with the carpaccio, which is sliced to order and dressed simply with lemon and olive oil.
Best Time: Saturday brunch, when the hotel serves a spread that includes their pizzas alongside a full Italian buffet.
The Vibe: Upscale hotel dining, quiet and refined. It is a place for business lunches and special occasions. The prices are higher than most pizza spots, so keep that in mind.
Local Tip: If you are not staying at the hotel, valet parking is your best bet. Cipriani is a reminder that Riyadh's luxury dining scene has deep roots, and the Al Khozama has been a landmark since the 1980s.
8. Il Baretto – Al Olaya, near Kingdom Tower
Il Baretto is another Al Olaya institution that deserves a spot in any serious Riyadh pizza guide. The restaurant has been serving Italian food for years, and their pizza menu is extensive, ranging from classic Margherita to more creative options like the tuna and onion with capers. The dough is made in-house daily, and the toppings are generous without overwhelming the base.
What to Order: The tuna and onion pizza with capers, which is salty and briny and perfect with a cold Peroni.
Best Time: Weekday dinner around 8 p.m., when the kitchen is in full swing and the dining room has a steady energy.
The Vibe: Warm wood paneling, Italian football on the TVs, a mix of expats and locals. It feels like a place that has been around forever, and in Riyadh terms, it has. The noise level can climb when the tables fill up, so it is not ideal for a quiet conversation.
Local Tip: They have a small private dining room that you can book for free if you call ahead. Il Baretto has survived multiple waves of new restaurants in Al Olaya, which says something about the quality and the loyalty of its regulars.
9. The Best Neighborhoods for Pizza in Riyadh
When people ask me where to eat pizza Riyadh style, I always start with the neighborhood. Al Olaya is the undisputed center, with Pizzaro, Piatto, Luciano, Cipriani, and Il Baretto all within a short drive of each other. But Al Malqa has been growing fast, with Zaatar w Zeit and Pizza 400 anchoring a more residential, laid-back scene. The Northern Ring Road corridor is also worth exploring, with several newer spots opening in the past two years.
What to Do: Walk the stretch of Al Olaya between Kingdom Tower and Al Faisaliah Tower, and you will find at least five pizza places within a kilometer.
Best Time: Thursday and Friday evenings, when the streets come alive and the restaurants are at their most energetic.
The Vibe: Al Olaya is the beating heart of Riyadh's dining scene, a place where old and new collide. The traffic can be brutal, so plan your route carefully.
Local Tip: Use the side streets for parking, not the main roads. The city's dining geography is shifting, and neighborhoods like Al Malqa and Al Sahafah are becoming just as important as Al Olaya for food lovers.
10. How Riyadh's Pizza Scene Reflects the City's Evolution
The best pizza places in Riyadh tell a story about the city itself. Pizzaro and Luciano represent the early 2000s, when international chains and Italian imports were the standard. Firegrill and Piatto reflect the current wave, where local chefs are trained abroad and bring back techniques that rival what you would find in New York or Naples. Zaatar w Zeit and Pizza 400 show that the everyday food culture is just as important as the high-end scene.
What to Notice: Look at the menus over the years, and you will see how Riyadh's palate has changed, from heavy cheese and meat to lighter, more balanced flavors.
Best Time: Any time, because the evolution is ongoing. New places open every few months, and the competition keeps everyone sharp.
The Vibe: Riyadh is a city in motion, and its food scene moves fast. What was cutting-edge five years ago is now standard, and the bar keeps rising.
Local Tip: Follow local food bloggers on Instagram, because they are often the first to spot new openings. The city's dining culture is now as dynamic as any in the region, and pizza is one of the best lenses to understand that change.
When to Go / What to Know
Riyadh's pizza scene runs on its own rhythm. Lunch is typically from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and many places are quiet during this window except for the fast-casual spots. Dinner starts late, around 8 p.m. or 9 p.m., and the energy peaks around 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. If you want to avoid crowds, aim for Sunday through Wednesday, when the city is calmer.
Parking is the single biggest headache in Riyadh, especially in Al Olaya. Use valet services where available, or park on side streets and walk. Delivery apps like Hungerstation and Jahez cover most of the top pizza restaurants Riyadh has, but nothing beats sitting in the actual restaurant and watching the pizza come out of the oven.
Dress codes are relaxed at most places, but the hotel restaurants like Cipriani expect smart casual. Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated, and 10 percent is standard. Finally, do not be afraid to ask questions, the staff at these places are proud of what they do, and a little curiosity goes a long way in a city that is still defining its food identity.
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