Gymkhana — Restaurant in Shmeisi Municipality

From the moment I walked into Gymkhana restaurant, I knew I was in for something special. The atmosphere was inviting, filled with a delightful blend of aromas that made my mouth water before I even glanced at the menu. But what truly made the experience remarkable was the outstanding service, especially from the manager, Mr. Abdulaziz.

Mr. Abdulaziz greeted us with a warm smile and an enthusiasm that instantly made us feel at home. It was clear he genuinely cares about every guest. He took the time to chat with us, sharing insights about the dishes and offering personal recommendations that turned out to be spot on! His passion for the restaurant and its offerings shines through, making you feel like you’re not just another customer, but a valued guest.

Furthermore, during our last visit, we encountered a slight hiccup with our reservation. Instead of letting it dampen our spirits, Mr. Abdulaziz swooped in with his signature grace and professionalism. He swiftly resolved the situation, ensuring we were seated comfortably and even offered us complimentary drinks as an apology. It was this kind of thoughtful gesture that truly showcased his commitment to exceptional hospitality.

And it wasn’t just about fixing problems; it was the way he interacted with us throughout the meal that made the experience truly shine. He checked in regularly, sharing stories about the restaurant’s culinary philosophy. His passion for food and service is palpable, and it creates an atmosphere where you can relax and savor every moment.

Then there was Mr. Sid, our waiter, who was also fantastic. He approached our table with a big smile and a friendly demeanor that instantly put us at ease. His attentiveness was incredible—he seemed to know just when we needed a refill or a little extra time to decide.

Together, Mr. Abdulaziz and Mr. Sid transformed our meal into a memorable experience. They created an atmosphere that felt warm and welcoming, where we could truly relax and enjoy our time. It’s rare to find such dedicated service, and it made all the difference.

In a world where so many dining experiences can feel impersonal, Gymkhana, under the careful guidance of Mr. Abdulaziz, stands out as a beacon of warmth and hospitality. It’s not just about the delicious food (which is a highlight in itself); it’s the way they care for you, turning what could be a simple meal into an unforgettable experience. If you’re looking for a restaurant that knows how to treat its guests right, Gymkhana is the place to be. You’ll leave feeling not only satisfied...

I came for the Iftar set menu after a recommendation from my friend. I also invited a colleague from abroad who has never been to KSA Before.

The ambiance of the restaurant was fantastic with beautiful decorations and atmosphere. We were greeted and seated at our table which had nice dates and beverages.

The dinner consisted of starters, first course, main course and a desert. Coming to a fine dining place, I expected to be wowed by the food quality as well as its presentation but unfortunately, neither of these factors were above average. The only items that tasted outstanding were the chicken (starter) and the guava lassi. The rest of the food looked an tasted worse than my next door Indian restaurant where I pay 50 SAR for my meal. The prawns were rubbery, the curry has no viscosity, the rice was plain, the meat was extremely chewy and the lentil soup felt as if it was poured from a can.

Even the desert which is always a treat in a fine dining Indian restaurant was extremely basic and looked as if it came for a cafeteria. As a matter of fact it wasn't even an Indian desert.

The final nail in the coffin came when the bill was presented and to my surprise all the water and tea that we ordered was billed separately. While the tea was marvelous, the waiter was supposed to inform us that both of the items will be charged. Instead of doing that or at least trying to explain the situation, he stood there grinning at me as if he was satisfied with me spending double of what I planned. Furthermore, to charge people for water during the month of Ramadan doesn't seem right.

A shame to have wasted my time and money for this Iftar. Maybe the regular dining is good but judging by the food's quality and presentation I doubt it is.

Update: received a call from the restaurant representative who explained that in London the food quality is different. Too bad that I didn’t fly there. He also said that the iftar menu is not reflective of their usual quality which begs a question as to why have the iftar menu to start with? He also offered help with reserving a table in the future as if I couldn’t do it on my own. Brilliant...

‏ I went with my family to the Michelin-starred restaurant(gymkhana), they welcomed us in a wonderful way, the atmosphere of the restaurant was very calm and elegant, the details of the decor and lighting were excellent, the waiter (Shaheer) welcomed us and helped us with our order in a distinguished way, the food was served and it was more than wonderful , full of distinctive flavors, and while we were enjoying the food, a work group of 12 people sat next to us and started talking very loudly and laughing in a lowly way, which prompted me to call the restaurant manager (Abdulaziz) to deal with the customers who did not respect their presence in a fine dining restaurant, and Abdulaziz noticed their lack of respect and the loudness of their voices and their behavior that does not even happen in fast food restaurants!! He spoke to them in a decent way and directed them to respect the restaurant's policy, so we were surprised that they laughed at the restaurant manager's instructions while he was talking to them!! then he turned up the music and stood next to us to make sure every thing is Ok , but guess what happened? The ( group) continued to practice disrespect again , so I again ask Abdulaziz to stop this farce! We were surprised by one of the members of that group jump to our table interrupting me explaing the uncomfortable situation to the manger Abdulaziz , So after ‏many times maneger trying to talk to them in a professional and respectful way asking them to follow the resurant a policy but they were not responding to him This situation proved the professionalism of the restaurant manager (Abdulaziz) and his handling of the situation with kindness and firmness at the same time. He warned them and spoke to them in a sophisticated manner, but it seems to me that this work group is not accustomed to attending Michelin-starred...