Il Terrazo-Brazilian Breezes In Riyadh

Many people have been asking me for the top restaurants in Riyadh and this one I can highly recommend as one of the best places to go in Riyadh. Dining out is one of the best thing to do in Riyadh! Here is my review of this lovely out door restaurant in the heart of Riyadh..

Il Terrazo is a Brazilian barbeque restaurant situated outside on a lovely terrace overlooking the fountains and courtyard of the hotel Al Faisaliyah. Customers can dine while enjoying a fantastic view of the Globe on top of the Faisaliyah tower.

This is my all time favorite restaurant in Riyadh and I’ve been to it numerous times. It has always been a success to bring first time visitors to Riyadh here.  Large group of expats can often be seen dining here as well as young couples on romantic dates.

Il Terrazo restaurant can only be visited by making a booking and it’s advisable to book well beforehand for weekends and bigger parties. The buffet starts at 8pm every night continuing to around midnight.

The lovely terrace is cooled by cooling mists and fans in the summer, and during winter they offer guests heaters and even warm blankets to wrap around you. A rarity in Riyadh, this terrace is not gender-segregated or boxed but totally open and mixed with lively music is playing in the background. The ambiance here is relaxed and as “normal” as it gets in a Saudi restaurant.

At the center of the restaurant there is a buffet island with salads and appetizers on one side and desserts on the other. At the table the customers will be served to side courses such as rice, vegetable and potato dishes accompanied with different sauces from a revolving multi layer tray. In addition to these, the main course, the open fire-barbecued meats are served to the table at frequent intervals by the Kenyan waiters. The waiter will serve a different meat on each round from a long bbq stick. The variety of meats range from beef, lamb, goat, chicken, fish, beef, kudu, jumbo prawns and even camel.  It could be said this restaurant is not for vegetarians!

For starters the guests can indulge in the 5 star salad buffet full of fresh colorful produce. This is by far the best salad bar in town. Additionally there are soups and freshly baked breads to choose from. For drinks they have a great Saudi Champagne and some tasty non alcoholic wines on offer.

After the guests literally feel like bursting from all the juicy meats they have sampled combined with the tasty side dishes on offer, it’s time for dessert. Equally high quality dishes are on offer at the dessert table. The desserts are presented in cute ready made small portions and some are available for the guests to indulge in as much as they like.  A variety of fresh exotic fruits are also available. Everything can be topped off with a choice of sauce!

If by now you are not ready to be towed out with a Toyota pick-up truck, there’s also an ice cream bar with a choice of delicious flavors and more sauces!

The buffet costs 200sr per person excluding the drinks. The restaurant offers a nice Saudi champagne and for those who want to splurge a bit, an excellent selection of non-alcoholic wines and sparkling wines which will be served from a standing ice cooler.

Another great thing about this restaurant is the friendly smiling service by the African waiters. If informed beforehand they will sing a Happy Birthday song while playing African drums.  Certainly a night to remember!

For more restaurant reviews go here: http://blueabaya.blogspot.com/p/riyadh-restaurant-reviews.html

Star ratings:

Overall: ****1/2

Ambiance: *****

Decor: *****

Food: **** 1/2

Service: ****1/2

Value for money ****
Kid Friendliness: ****
Romance Factor: *****