Edge Riyadh Al Rabie proudly announces the official opening of The Alley on June 1, introducing a bold new social and entertainment destination designed to redefine hospitality experiences in North Riyadh.

Blending elevated casual dining, immersive entertainment, live sports culture, and social-driven experiences, The Alley is positioned to become one of Riyadh’s premier lifestyle destinations, with a major focus on delivering one of the city’s most exciting FIFA World Cup viewing experiences.

As football culture continues to unite communities across the Kingdom, The Alley will serve as a dedicated destination for fans to experience the energy and excitement of the FIFA World Cup in a dynamic and vibrant atmosphere. Featuring large-screen live match broadcasts, high-energy social seating, curated food and beverage experiences, and themed match-night activations, the venue is designed to transform every game into a complete hospitality event.

“The Alley was created around moments that bring people together, and there is nothing more powerful than the atmosphere surrounding the FIFA World Cup,” said management at Edge Riyadh Al Rabie. “We wanted to build a destination where guests can experience every match with energy, excitement, and a true sense of community.”

Located within Edge Riyadh Al Rabie, The Alley reflects the growing demand for experience-led hospitality concepts that combine entertainment, dining, and social engagement in one destination. Designed for both hotel guests and the wider Riyadh community, the venue offers a modern social environment tailored for repeat visits and everyday experiences.

Among its standout offerings is The Alley Game Night, a recurring social activation combining interactive games, curated bites, drinks, and entertainment experiences in a lively setting designed to encourage connection and group engagement.

Sports entertainment remains central to the venue’s identity, with The Alley’s Match Night Experiences expected to become a major attraction during football tournaments and international sporting events. The FIFA World Cup screenings will feature immersive viewing experiences paired with special menus, promotional packages, and an atmosphere specifically curated for football fans and group gatherings.

In addition to major sporting events, The Alley is strategically positioned as an after-work and evening destination for North Riyadh’s expanding residential and corporate communities. Daily activations, happy hour experiences, and flexible lounge-style seating create an accessible yet elevated environment suitable for casual meetups, celebrations, and informal business gatherings.

The opening of The Alley further strengthens Edge Riyadh Al Rabie’s diversified hospitality ecosystem, supporting the property’s broader vision of integrating accommodation, dining, entertainment, wellness, and social experiences into one connected destination.

As Riyadh continues its transformation into one of the region’s leading lifestyle capitals, The Alley represents the city’s growing appetite for hospitality concepts centered around atmosphere, entertainment, and community.

With its official opening on June 1 and its upcoming FIFA World Cup match experiences, The Alley is set to become one of North Riyadh’s most exciting new social destinations — delivering unforgettable nights, vibrant energy, and experiences guests will continue returning for.

The first edition of the Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Gala took place on June 2, 2026, at Radisson Manhal – Riyadh, marking a major milestone for the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving culinary and hospitality sectors. In the presence of ambassadors and official representatives, the gala and awards ceremony brought together chefs, restaurants, hospitality professionals, journalists, influencers and partners to highlight culinary excellence and honor the talents shaping the future of Saudi gastronomy.

Held in collaboration with the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, under the Ministry of Culture, with the support of HSME, the event marks the official launch of Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed the standing of the prestigious Yellow Guide as a trusted benchmark for culinary quality, creativity and excellence in the Kingdom.

A major highlight of the evening was the unveiling and distribution of the official Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Guide. Featuring a carefully curated selection of almost 250 restaurants across five of the Kingdom’s major cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, Abha and Dammam — the guide sets a new national benchmark for culinary quality and creativity, positioning Saudi Arabia firmly on the global gastronomic stage. Through this national selection, the guide aims to uncover hidden gems, showcase regional diversity and highlight Saudi Arabia’s distinctive flavors, traditions and innovations. The guide also shines a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of women restaurateurs and chefs, whose leadership continues to shape and elevate Saudi Arabia’s dining scene.

Each selected restaurant receives an official Gault&Millau plaque, reflecting its inclusion in the national guide and acknowledging its contribution to the growth and visibility of the Kingdom’s dynamic F&B industry.

The evening also honored exceptional culinary and hospitality talent through five special trophies, three of which were presented to brilliant women in the industry:

• Chef of the Year: Wed Saleh
• Pastry Chef of the Year: Hachem Taleb
• General Manager of the Year: Sara Katanani
• Emerging Chef of the Year: Elia Kaadi
• Young Talent of the Year: Nihal Felemban

A special Inspiring Leadership Award was presented to Mayada Badr, CEO of the Culinary Arts Commission, for empowering the industry and for her valuable work and vision

Patrick Hayoun, CEO of Gault&Millau France and International, said: “The launch of Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia represents an important step in our international journey and reflects the remarkable momentum of the Kingdom’s culinary scene. Through this first edition, we are proud to highlight almost 250 restaurants and recognize the chefs, teams and talents shaping a distinctive Saudi gastronomic identity. Gault&Millau’s mission has always been to discover, support and promote culinary excellence, and Saudi Arabia offers an extraordinary landscape of creativity, ambition and authenticity.”

Mayada Badr, CEO of the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, added: “The launch of the first Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Gala reflects the growing maturity, creativity and diversity of the Kingdom’s culinary sector. At the Culinary Arts Commission, we are committed to preserving Saudi culinary heritage while empowering chefs, restaurants and hospitality professionals to innovate and reach new levels of excellence. This platform contributes to strengthening the visibility of Saudi gastronomy locally and internationally while supporting the Kingdom’s broader cultural transformation.”

Joumana Dammous Salame, managing director of HSME, commented: “We are proud to support the launch of Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia in collaboration with Gault&Millau and the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission. This first edition is an important moment for the Kingdom’s culinary scene, bringing together restaurants, chefs, journalists, influencers and partners around one shared ambition: to celebrate excellence, encourage innovation and give Saudi gastronomy the recognition it deserves on both the regional and international stage.”

Beyond recognition, the gala provided a platform for connection and collaboration, fostering dialogue, visibility and new opportunities for Saudi culinary talent within the region and beyond.

The Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia platform is built around three primary components:

Printed Guide: The Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Guide will serve as a key resource for exploring the Kingdom’s culinary scene. The edition includes expert reviews of top restaurants, chef profiles and signature recipes. It also features city- and region-based highlights, along with toque ratings from 1 to 5, covering a wide range of price points and making the guide accessible and inclusive for all readers.

Digital Platform: The Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia website, part of the international platform, will offer an engaging digital experience with updated restaurant reviews, practical details and direct links, providing greater visibility for local establishments.

Annual Gala: The Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia Gala is designed as an annual cornerstone gathering, offering networking opportunities for chefs, journalists, influencers and partners while showcasing Saudi culinary excellence to both national and international guests. Honoring the country’s top culinary talents, the event will feature an awards ceremony with Gault&Millau plaques and trophies.Through this collaboration, Gault&Millau and the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission aim to elevate local culinary talent, create new industry standards and promote international connections that will help shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s culinary landscape. Further editions are planned, with new cities set to join the prestigious listing

Editor’ note:  Attached list of

• restaurants with 3 toques – REMARQABLE RESTAURANTS
• restaurants with 2 toques- CHEF’S RESTAURANTS
• restaurants with 1 toque- GOURMET RESTAURANTS
• Selected restaurants

ABOUT GAULT&MILLAU

Founded in 1969 by journalists Henri Gault and Christian Millau, the Yellow Guide has dedicated over 50 years to identifying and listing the finest restaurants, artisans and specialty shops across various regions. Today, Gault&Millau continues its mission to support chefs and emerging talents worldwide by discovering and promoting local gastronomy on a global scale.

As a recognized authority in gastronomy and hospitality across 20 countries, Gault&Millau has become a benchmark for culinary excellence, building a prestigious network of over 14,000 restaurants and attracting millions of followers. With the expertise of more than 400 professional inspectors, Gault&Millau aims to discover, celebrate and elevate both established and emerging culinary talents. The brand’s mission is to showcase local culinary traditions globally, offering a trusted standard of quality and fostering growth within the industry.

ABOUT THE SAUDI CULINARY ARTS COMMISSION

Founded in 2020, the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission is leading the further development of the Kingdom’s culinary arts sector. By driving investment and building robust regulatory frameworks, the Commission is supporting the next generation of Saudi chefs and hospitality professionals as they aspire to reach their full potential.

Together with the Ministry of Culture, the Commission is working to unlock a thriving cultural sector to preserve and elevate the culinary traditions that make the Kingdom unique.

To learn more about the Saudi Culinary Arts Commission, please visit https://culinary.moc.gov.sa/en and the Commission’s pages on Instagram @mocculinary and X @MOCCulinary.

ABOUT HOSPITALITY SERVICES MIDDLE EAST (HSME)

Founded over 30 years ago, Hospitality Services specializes in organizing hospitality and foodservice exhibitions and events across the region, including HORECA Lebanon, HORECA Jordan, HORECA Kuwait, HORECA Riyadh, HORECA Oman, Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Dubai, Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie Riyadh and Whisky Live Beirut. The firm’s events extend to publications and platforms that serve the hospitality, foodservice and tourism industries, namely Hospitality News Middle East, Lebanon Traveler and Taste & Flavors.

La Maison Ani, the French brasserie by Chef Izu Ani and Fundamental Hospitality, will open at Mall of the Emirates in September 2026. The 367-square-metre restaurant will seat 142 guests across an interior dining room, open show kitchen, and a wraparound Parisian-style terrace. The brand’s second address in Dubai, after the Fashion Avenue flagship that has welcomed approximately 385,000 guests annually since its debut in 2022.

“To me, no one is a customer,  everyone is a guest. When someone walks into our home, our maison, we welcome them with care, warmth, and the desire to create something truly special for them. Food is our way of transmitting happiness to others.

What we do was never designed to be transactional. It is an invitation, a personal moment rooted in love, generosity, and respect. Respect for one another, for the ingredients we work with, and for the home we open to others every single day.” says Chef Izu Ani.

The new location will bring the brand closer to Al Barsha, Dubai Marina, JBR, and the Palm – neighbourhoods with a strong appetite for refined, all-day dining. It also marks the continuation of an international expansion that now spans London’s Knightsbridge, Doha, and confirmed openings in Monaco, Miami and Riyadh.

“La Maison Ani was built to travel, but Dubai will always be home. Mall of the Emirates allows us to deepen our roots in the city where everything began, while continuing to prove that homegrown concepts, born here, can resonate anywhere in the world” Says Evgeny Kuzin, founder of Fundamental Hospitality.

The Space

The interiors will carry La Maison Ani’s signature Parisian romanticism into a new setting. Soft coral tones will flow through fabric-panelled walls and leather moulding details, anchored by light walnut timber flooring and Palissandro marble table tops. Croissant-inspired artisan tilework will line the boulangerie counter, while Eiffel Tower-motif shelving and trellis glass globe lighting will add sculptural warmth overhead. The signature chandeliers complete the picture, unmistakably La Maison Ani.

A show kitchen and dedicated pâtisserie display will anchor the dining experience, with freshly baked breads, viennoiseries, and pastries presented throughout the day.

The 62-seat wraparound terrace, framed by an iron pergola, will offer something rare for a mall setting: a dining experience that genuinely transports into a Parisian garden planted in the heart of one of Dubai’s most visited destinations.

The Table

La Maison Ani at Mall of the Emirates will operate as a true all-day dining destination. The day will begin with the boulangerie: freshly baked baguettes, flaky croissants, artisanal breads, before moving through light, seasonal lunch options to the richer, more considered flavours of the evening brasserie service. The full pastry programme will run alongside every service.

The menu will mirror the Dubai Mall flagship, rooted in Chef Izu’s vision of craftsmanship, tradition, elegance, and French passion, with the same signature dishes that have defined the brand since its debut.