The restaurant will open in KAFD.


Saudi Arabia is filled with exciting restaurant openings, from homegrown concepts to celebrity chefs. Now, Chotto Matte, a Nikkei restaurant that combines Japanese and Peruvian food, will come to Riyadh. Located in KAFD, the venue is set to open in January 2025, and here’s what we know. 

In 2013, Chotto Matte was created by Kurt Zdesar, who had previously worked for Hakkasan and Nobu. In Japanese, the name is a casual phrase and translates to “wait a minute”. The restaurant brings together influences from Japan and Peru, and prides itself on offering Nikkei cuisine. The restaurant can be found in London’s Marylebone and Soho, Doha’s The St. Regis Marsa Arabia, Miami South Beach, San Francisco Union Square and Toronto Downtown.

Chotto Matte Riyadh

If the previous Chotto Matte menus are anything to go by, Riyadh is in for a culinary treat. The menu spans small plates, raw bar, sushi bar, robata and sides. The menu showcases premium ingredients, from the charcoal grilled meat from the Australian Jack’s Creek to Japanese Grade A5 Wagyu Beef.

The small plates include Jumbo Prawn Tempura, Spicy Chicken Karaage and Wagyu Beef Gyoza. Mains include Amazonian BBQ Salmon, Black Cod Aji Miso, and Octopus with spicy yuzu. Desserts include Matcha Crepe Cake, Mochi Ice Cream and Passion Fruit Crème Brulee. 

Chotto Matte Riyadh

Founder and Owner of Chotto Matte, Kurt Zdesar, commented on the opening: “We are happy to bring the Chotto Matte experience to Riyadh, where the blend of Japanese and Peruvian flavours has been embraced globally. KAFD’s dynamic environment perfectly reflects our vision for innovation, and we can’t wait to welcome guests to enjoy our unique culinary offerings in this exciting new location. Riyadh’s rapidly evolving and vibrant culinary scene is a perfect match for our concept, and we are excited to be part of the city’s growing food culture.”

Each Chotto Matte venue is a culinary destination celebrated for its innovative and sustainably sourced Nikkei cuisine, expertly crafted cocktails, and striking contemporary design. The new Riyadh location, set in KAFD—a vibrant, cutting-edge business and entertainment hub in the heart of the city—offers a lively atmosphere, exquisite dishes, and an array of creative mocktails.

From its successful debut in London to becoming a global sensation, Chotto Matte has established itself across the globe. The brand continues to grow, with exciting new openings planned in Tbilisi and Dubai.

Check in with FACT for the latest news and things to do in Riyadh. 

GO: Visit https://chotto-matte.com for more information.