Words by Megha Paul
How do you launch one of the world’s most intimate fine dining concepts? If you’re legendary French chef Daniel Boulud, you head to Riyadh, and you do it quietly.
Hidden inside Café Boulud at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, Julien is not your typical high-profile restaurant. With only 12 seats and just three nights on offer, this dining room isn’t just exclusive, it’s ephemeral. A total of 36 guests will experience this once-in-a-lifetime meal, personally crafted and hosted by Boulud himself.
Best known for his two-Michelin-starred Restaurant DANIEL in New York and a mantel full of James Beard Awards, Boulud has never done anything quite like this. Julien – named after both his father and his son – is a stripped-back, chef-at-the-pass concept where the storytelling is plated, not spoken.
Featuring a French culinary journey set in a vintage-inspired ambiance, chef Daniel Boulud’s café offers timeless elegance, seasonal classics and modern creations that reflect his Lyon roots and passion for exquisite dining
Here, Riyadh’s gilded hospitality meets the art of French cuisine with precision and restraint. Expect a seasonal, multi-course tasting menu rooted in classic French technique, but with Saudi-inspired surprises that nod to local produce and flavours. It’s not fusion, it’s conversation.
What makes Julien more than a pop-up is its ambition. At a time when Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in transforming its cultural and culinary landscape, Boulud’s presence feels symbolic. It’s not just about star power, it’s about reimagining luxury in a place that’s quickly rewriting the rules of hospitality.
While Julien offered a fleeting, intimate experience, it also served as a preview of a much larger vision taking shape just beyond the chef’s table: the soon-to-open Café Boulud Riyadh, Boulud’s first-ever restaurant in the Kingdom and a major new chapter in his global culinary journey.
Located in the elegant lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, Café Boulud marks the debut of the iconic brand in the Middle East. In addition to his two-Michelin-starred restaurant DANIEL in New York, Boulud oversees a global portfolio that includes Café Boulud in Toronto and Palm Beach, Maison Boulud in Montréal, Brasserie Boulud in Dubai, and restaurants in the Bahamas, each shaped with local nuance and unwavering precision.
The restaurant is located in the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre, marking Daniel Boulud’s first entry into Saudi and his second in the region, following Brasserie Boulud at Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
Café Boulud introduces Boulud’s signature four-pillar culinary philosophy: La Tradition, honouring timeless French classics; La Saison, celebrating seasonal ingredients; Le Potager, focused on vegetable-forward creations; and Le Voyage, inspired by his global travels. The menu promises a refined yet approachable expression of French cuisine, adapted to reflect both Boulud’s Lyonnais roots and the region’s local sensibilities.
The Riyadh kitchen is led by executive chef Nicolas Lemoyne, a Lyon-born talent who trained under both Boulud and the legendary Paul Bocuse. His approach blends classical French technique with subtle nods to local flavours, a balance that resonates with both connoisseurs and curious diners alike.
The restaurant’s interiors, by the acclaimed Rockwell Group, channel understated French elegance: antique mirrored glass, marble textures, soft lighting, and a serene conservatory terrace designed to feel like a hidden garden in the heart of the Kingdom Centre.
Café Boulud’s Middle East debut blends French elegance with garden calm, daylight, and marble in a refined glass-enclosed room
While the official launch is still ahead, the quiet elegance of Julien offered a taste of what’s to come. During my interaction with chef Boulud at the preview, he spoke passionately about Riyadh’s growing food culture and the city’s evolving role on the global dining map. “There’s something incredibly dynamic happening here,” he said, glancing around the intimate room with quiet pride. When I asked him to name his favourite dish, he chuckled and replied with a twinkle in his eye: “The dish I love the most is the one I haven’t created yet.”
That spirit of curiosity and craftsmanship runs through every detail at Café Boulud, from the menu to the setting to the cultural dialogue it sparks. The restaurant joins a curated collection of new culinary experiences at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, including Pierre Hermé Paris and Obaya Lounge, forming part of a larger strategy to position the hotel as a culinary leader in the region.
With its intimate setting, exceptional pedigree, and thoughtfully localised menu, Café Boulud Riyadh is set to become a landmark destination in the city’s upscale dining scene – a blend of timeless technique, Saudi soul, and global ambition. The restaurant will open to the public in the near future.
Factbox
Located in: Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh At Kingdom Center
Address: Kingdom Centre, Olaya St, Al Olaya, Riyadh 11321, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966 11 211 5500
Website: fourseasons.com/riyadh/dining/restaurants/cafe-boulud/