Craving authentic Italian food in Riyadh? Vera Italia has officially opened its doors at Sahara Mall, promising a warm welcome and a taste of Italy in the heart of the capital. The new venue was founded by friends with a shared passion for Italian cuisine and culture.
The interior leans into clean design with grey walls, wooden floors, and soft cream and green seating. Photos and posters of old-school pizzerias and Vespas add a nostalgic Italian touch.
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The menu takes a classic route with plenty of appetisers like arancini with truffle, rustic bruschetta, and melty aubergine parmigiana. There are soups and salads too, including lentil or creamy mushroom chicken soup, as well as burrata and caprese with fresh ingredients.
But if you’ve come for pizza and pasta, you won’t leave disappointed. Expect traditional Margherita, spicy Diavola, or veggie-packed Parmiggiana pizzas. Pasta dishes are just as tempting, from house-made lasagna and slow-cooked ragu to truffle ravioli and shrimp tagliatelle.
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The dessert menu offers Italian classics and inventive twists. The tiramisu comes in two versions — a traditional one and a local favourite infused with Saudi coffee. There’s also La Nutellosa, a dessert pizza topped with Nutella and fresh fruit.
Vera Italia is open from noon to midnight on weekdays, until 1 AM on Thursdays and Fridays, and from 2 PM on Fridays — perfect timing for everything from lunch catch-ups to relaxed dinners. If you’re in the mood for Italian comfort food in a space designed for sharing, this spot in Sahara Mall is worth checking out.
