The story
Azzurro, the Italian restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Riyadh on Makkah Al Mukarramah Road, earned 11.5 points from Gault&Millau in 2026. The kitchen leans on Italian pantry staples and a short, personal menu.
The meal opens with rustic bread, grissini and focaccia, served with extra virgin olive oil from Ursini and historic balsamic vinegar from Giuseppe Giusti in Modena. The menu is concise, and the chef's Italian roots show in a personal touch. Dishes rely on fresh, seasonal ingredients, seasoned with restraint.
Two- and three-course lunch menus offer good value in a hotel of this standing. In the evening the terrace turns softer, with Italian melodies played live.
Recognition
Details
History
Bathed in warm red hues and golden light, Hong offers a serene, elegant setting where calm and refinement prevail. Nestled within the Ritz-Carlton, the décor (velvet armchairs, carved wood, and calligraphy panels) reflects the grace of imperial China. The menu showcases refined Cantonese cuisine, combining precision and balance. Standouts include the steamed shrimp dumplings, delicate and flavorful with two soy dips; the steamed seabass with soy, Sichuan pepper, and asparagus, remarkably tender and aromatic; and the vegetable fried rice, light and perfectly seasoned. Service is polished and attentive, enhancing a dining experience marked by finesse and harmony. While à la carte prices are on the higher side, the set and sharing menus offer a richer selection and a more attractive option for discovering Hong’s refined Cantonese cuisine.
Location
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