RESTAURANT IN KSA |
A New Benchmark for Saudi Arabia’s Culinary Scene
Saudi Arabia’s dining landscape has entered a remarkable new chapter, and few openings capture this evolution better than Julien by Daniel Boulud. Hidden within Café Boulud at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, the intimate 10-seat chef’s table has quickly become one of the Kingdom’s most coveted reservations, and one of its most acclaimed.
The restaurant recently received three toques in the inaugural Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Guide 2026, placing it among only four restaurants in the Kingdom to earn the guide’s highest distinction. The accolade arrived during the launch of Gault&Millau’s first-ever Saudi edition, further cementing Riyadh’s position as a rising global dining destination.
For food enthusiasts across the GCC, Julien represents more than a luxury dining experience. It reflects the region’s growing appetite for immersive gastronomy, where exceptional cuisine is paired with storytelling, craftsmanship and exclusivity.
A Personal Tribute from Daniel Boulud
Created by internationally acclaimed French chef Daniel Boulud, Julien is among the chef’s most personal projects to date. The restaurant takes its name from both his father and son, who share the name Julien, making the concept a celebration of family, heritage and culinary legacy.
This sense of intimacy extends beyond the name. Every aspect of the experience has been carefully curated to foster connection, between chef and guest, tradition and innovation, and global culinary excellence and local culture.
An Experience Hidden Behind Café Boulud
The journey begins discreetly within Café Boulud at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh. Guests are guided through a thoughtfully designed passageway featuring artisanal displays that build anticipation before revealing the dining room itself.
Beyond the entrance lies an elegant chef’s table setting centred around an open kitchen. With only ten seats available, every diner enjoys an unobstructed view of the culinary team at work, transforming dinner into a live gastronomic performance.
The concept reflects a growing trend across the Middle East, where discerning diners increasingly seek experiences that offer authenticity, interaction and exclusivity rather than traditional notions of luxury alone.
French Gastronomy with Contemporary Flair
Leading the kitchen is Executive Chef Thierry Motsch, whose impressive résumé includes some of France’s most prestigious culinary institutions, including Le Meurice, Le Louis XV and L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.
Working under Daniel Boulud’s vision, Motsch has created a ten-course tasting menu that showcases the precision of French gastronomy while embracing modern techniques and subtle regional influences.
Each course is designed to tell a story. Signature highlights include pigeon prepared in two ways, dates filled with foie gras and hamachi finished tableside with theatrical precision. The result is a menu that feels refined yet approachable, rooted in tradition yet distinctly contemporary.
Where Global Excellence Meets Regional Identity
One of Julien’s most compelling qualities is its ability to bridge international culinary expertise with local relevance. While firmly grounded in French technique, the restaurant incorporates ingredients and flavor profiles that resonate with diners in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf.
This approach reflects a broader shift taking place throughout the region. Today’s Middle Eastern dining scene is increasingly shaped by meaningful cultural exchange rather than simple replication of international concepts. The most successful restaurants are those that create a dialogue between global influences and regional tastes, a balance Julien achieves with remarkable sophistication.
Type of Cuisine: French cuisine.
Address: 8596 Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal, King Saud University, Riyadh 12371, Saudi Arabia
