Lebanon’s culinary soul finds a new stage in Riyadh, where ELBIE transforms nostalgia into a contemporary dining experience. Blending open‑kitchen theater with time‑honored flavors, it invites guests to rediscover a heritage defined by warmth, abundance, and unmistakable charm.
Lebanese cuisine has long held a special place in the Saudi imagination. For generations, Lebanon was a favored escape — a place where Saudis sought cool mountain air, lively cafés, and the unmistakable flavors of a cuisine defined by generosity and freshness. ELBIE, Riyadh’s newest Lebanese dining destination, channels nostalgia with intention. Its mission is simple yet profound: to bring the soul of Lebanon to the table, and to introduce its culinary heritage to a new generation eager for authenticity.
A Pop-Up That Became a Cultural Fixture
ELIBIE’s origin story has always been more than a culinary reference — it’s a place tied to memory, summers, and the kind of hospitality that Lebanon is known for. Back in 2014, that connection inspired the opening of a Lebanese restaurant in Jeddah built on a simple promise: no fusion, no shortcuts, just the honesty of true Lebanese cuisine. But the desire wasn’t only to serve dishes; it was to recreate the feeling of Lebanon itself and share that experience with Saudi Arabia.
Now, twelve years later, that vision evolves into ELBIE — a Lebanese dining show in Riyadh where cooking, light, music, and design come together to evoke the spirit of Lebanon. It has been created by a generation of Saudis who still carry the country’s mountains, streets, and laughter in their hearts.
Its flagship restaurant in the Diplomatic Quarter is designed as a tribute to Lebanon’s home kitchens, where cooking is not hidden away but performed in full view, becoming part of the gathering itself. The open kitchen is the restaurant’s beating heart. Chefs move with a rhythm that feels almost choreographed — kneading dough, grilling meats, tossing salads, and assembling desserts with a precision that borders on performance. The experience is immersive, elegant, and modern, yet rooted in tradition. For those seeking intimacy, the Chef’s Private Table offers seating for up to twelve guests, complete with its own dedicated open kitchen for a private, live‑cooking encounter.
A Cuisine Defined by Freshness and Warmth
Lebanese cooking is a study in contrasts: bright herbs against warm spices, citrus against creaminess, smoke against sweetness. ELBIE’s menu captures this balance with finesse. Wild zaatar, drizzles of lemon, velvety tahini, and aromatic meats form the backbone of dishes that feel both familiar and elevated.
The Wild Zaatar Salad is a vivid introduction — a bright, aromatic mix built around Lebanon’s most cherished mountain herb, its citrusy lift awakening the palate. Alongside it, the Mloukhieh Bel Zeit offers a more grounded richness. Made from jute mallow, a green beloved across Levantine kitchens, the dish is silky, savory, and gently layered with the natural depth that makes it a comfort staple.
The Shrimp Tajen arrives baked in a creamy tahini sauce, invoking a nutty aroma in contrast to the tender shrimp. The Fawaregh — lamb intestines delicately stuffed with rice, herbs, and spices — is a celebration of tradition. Its tenderness is sharpened by a vinegar condiment that cuts through the richness of the meat.
ELBIE’s Mashrouha, freshly baked open flatbreads, are effortless crowd‑pleasers — especially the Wild Zaatar Mashrouha, a fragrant vegetarian option that highlights the herb’s earthy brightness.
For mains, the Kibbeh bel Saniyah stands out: a baked kibbeh layered with spiced minced meat and pine nuts, its crisp crust complemented by pomegranate molasses and cool yogurt. The Mixed Grill is a celebration of Lebanese mastery — tender lamb, juicy chicken shish tawouk, and perfectly seasoned kofta, best enjoyed wrapped in warm khubus with a swipe of garlic mayo.
Watching the Knefeh Cheese come together is part of the pleasure — stretchy cheese layered beneath a golden semolina crust, prepared with meticulous timing. The Kibbeh Festoon with Ice Cream offers a modern twist: crushed pistachio shells encasing Ashta‑style ice cream, a playful reinterpretation of a classic form.
Hospitality as Heritage
ELBIE promises more than a meal; it offers a cultural embrace. Lebanese hospitality is defined by abundance, comfort, and celebration — values that shape every detail of the experience. The restaurant aims to make every guest feel welcomed, included, and connected to a heritage that has always been shared generously with the world.
In bringing Lebanon’s culinary spirit to Riyadh, ELBIE is not merely preserving tradition; it is passing it forward, ensuring that its flavors, warmth, and stories continue to resonate to the next generation for years to come.
ELBIE Restaurant
1364 Lifestyle Center
Al Safarat, Riyadh
Opening hours:
12:00 PM – 12:00 AM daily
Tel. No.: 9200 03945
Social Media: @elbie.sa
