Cucina, the modern trattoria at Riyadh Marriott Hotel, is adding two things to your calendar: a new Southern Italian Brunch every Saturday, and a one-night Dinner Incredible KSA 2025 gala on Wednesday, 1 October, from 7 pm. Expect a 12-course menu built by six international Michelin-starred chefs and six Saudi talents, plus live jazz at brunch. Tickets are on sale now.
What’s new and when
Cucina is leaning into its Amalfi-leaning menu with a weekly brunch and a chef-heavy gala service. Here’s the short version before you pretend to read the rest.
- Southern Italian Brunch runs every Saturday, 12.30 pm to 4.00 pm
- Price is SAR 325 per person
- Dinner Incredible KSA 2025 is on Wednesday, 1 October, 7 pm
- The gala is a 12-course “Saudi Meets World” menu by 12 chefs
- Booking: +966581085117 or cucina.riyadh@marriott.com
Cucina says the space mixes a cosy lounge, open kitchen and terrace, with a modern Italian look and herbs from its own hydroponic farm. The current menu covers hand-rolled pasta, Neapolitan pizza, Sicilian-style seafood and house-made gelato.
Dinner Incredible KSA 2025: one night, 12 courses
A single sitting on 1 October aims to be one of Riyadh’s bigger culinary moments this year. The event pairs six Michelin-starred international chefs with six Saudi chefs on a themed tasting menu: “Saudi Meets World.”
- 12 chefs, 12 courses, 1 menu
- International names include Bruno Menard, Jacob Jan Boerma, Michael Bao, Giorgio Diana, Pavlos Kyriakis, Marc Bernhart, Kay Baumgardt
- Saudi talents include Hisham Baeshen, Turki Ben Hellabi, Rakan Aloraifi, plus Vero founder Sara Bajabir for chocolates
- Head of Dinner Incredible Middle East: Chef Daniele Chiari
- Host venue lead: Chef Daniele Valente of Cucina
Expect Aperò bites by Chef Daniele Valente, then a run of dishes that fold Saudi ingredients into global techniques. Highlights named include an eggplant mosaic with preserved citrus and avocado curry, a Saudi-Japanese course from the regional team, grouper mosaic with okra stew, roasted baharat chicken with pomegranate and spiced lentils, Angus striploin with Saudi caviar, and slow-braised lamb shoulder with loomi and cumin lentil soup. Desserts span a modern take on masoob, a trio of date, coffee and camel milk sweets, and a Saudi chocolate praline selection. Seats are limited.
Brunch details: Southern Italy on a Saturday
The new Saturday service is a seated, sharing-style spread with live Italian jazz and mocktails. Timing is 12.30 pm to 4.00 pm. Price is SAR 325.
- Starters: Burrata di Andria, vitello tonnato, parmigiana di melanzane
- Mains: risotto al limone e gamberi, tagliata di manzo
- Sweets: cannoli siciliani, tiramisù classico, house-made gelato
- Drinks: fresh juices, crafted mocktails, Italian coffee
- Entertainment: live Italian jazz band and singer
It’s a familiar format in Riyadh, but here the focus stays on Southern Italian staples served to the table, not a buffet that’s been crying softly under a heat lamp. The live band gives it some theatre without shouting over the food.
Venue snapshot: where you’re eating
Cucina sits inside Riyadh Marriott Hotel and is led by Italian-born Head Chef Daniele Valente. The setting reads modern trattoria: open kitchen, private dining room, lounge, terrace, playful signage and greenery. The kitchen leans on imported Italian produce and an in-house hydroponic herb garden.
- Location: Riyadh Marriott Hotel
- Lead: Chef Daniele Valente
- Style: modern trattoria with terrace and private room
- Produce: mix of imported Italian and house-grown herbs
- Core dishes: hand-rolled pasta, Neapolitan pizza, seafood, gelato
If you’ve been collecting new-school Italian spots in Riyadh, this one ticks the boxes without turning into a theme park. The menu looks familiar, but the collaboration dinner is the curveball.
Dinner Incredible: what it is and why it exists
Started in 2020 by Italian chef Giorgio Diana, Dinner Incredible brings together a dozen chefs to support farmers and small producers in each host country. The KSA edition keeps that brief, with Cucina hosting and contributing.
- Founded: 2020 by Giorgio Diana
- Mission: support farmers and small producers in host countries
- Format: 12 chefs, collaborative tasting menu
- Riyadh 2025: “Saudi Meets World,” hosted at Cucina
If you care about where the food comes from as much as the plating, that origin story matters. It’s not just a chef selfie parade; there’s a point beyond the flex.
How to book
Spaces are limited for the 1 October gala. Brunch is weekly but still benefits from an advance reservation. Use the contact details below.
- Phone: +966 58 108 5117
- Email: cucina.riyadh@marriott.com
- Brunch: Saturdays, 12.30 pm to 4.00 pm, SAR 325
- Dinner Incredible KSA 2025: Wednesday, 1 October, 7 pm
What is Dinner Incredible KSA 2025 at Cucina?
A one-night gala dinner on Wednesday, 1 October, featuring a 12-course tasting menu by six international Michelin-starred chefs and six Saudi chefs under the theme “Saudi Meets World.”
Who are some of the chefs involved?
Named chefs include Bruno Menard, Jacob Jan Boerma, Michael Bao, Giorgio Diana, Pavlos Kyriakis, Marc Bernhart, Kay Baumgardt, Hisham Baeshen, Turki Ben Hellabi, Rakan Aloraifi and Sara Bajabir.
When is the Southern Italian Brunch and how much is it?
Every Saturday from 12.30 pm to 4.00 pm. The price is SAR 325 per person.
What’s on the brunch menu?
Starters such as burrata, vitello tonnato and parmigiana; mains like lemon prawn risotto and tagliata; desserts including cannoli, tiramisù and house gelato. Drinks include fresh juices, mocktails and Italian coffee, with live Italian jazz.
How do I book a table?
Call +966 58 108 5117 or email cucina.riyadh@marriott.com. Seats for the 1 October dinner are limited.
Note: Event date and timings are Riyadh local time.
