The headcount, then the venue, then the timing. This is how event catering in Riyadh is planned, and how Marble works.
Event catering in Riyadh changes with the occasion: a family dinner at an istiraha, a party, a formal reception or a public event. What they share is that guests remember the food and the service together. This is a short guide to planning the catering for an event in Riyadh, and how Marble works.
The events we serve
Off-site, we serve family and private occasions, parties and receptions, corporate and government events, and public events. Each has its own programme, and the base is the same: a wood smoker, the Marble chef and team on site, and meat carved in front of the guests.
Start with the headcount
The headcount decides the shape of the catering. Off-site catering starts at 50 guests and goes beyond 1,000. For smaller groups, Marble hosts 8 to 24 guests at a private dinner, or up to 80 with a full buyout.
Then the venue
A home, an istiraha, a hall or an event site. The smoker is part of the service and has its place in the site plan, so we agree its position with you during planning, not on the day. We serve Riyadh and every region of the Kingdom, and have worked in Dhahran and beyond.
Then the timing
Set the time guests arrive and the time dinner is served. The chef and team arrive before the guests with the fire lit, so service starts on time. For events with several parts, the catering programme follows them.
Catering the dinner
Most events in Riyadh are held in the evening, and dinner is the centre of them. At a Marble event, dinner comes off the smoker: brisket smoked for 10 hours over samar wood and carved in front of the guests as it is served. The rest of the menu is built around it to suit the occasion. Carving stations are described on the live cooking page.
The menu
Every event gets its own menu, with options for vegetarians and for allergies. Tell us about any dietary needs among your guests when you get in touch, so the menu accounts for them from the start.
A written proposal within 48 hours
After the first contact we send a written proposal with the menu, the programme and the cost within 48 hours, then adjust it with you. The cost is set by the details of the event: the headcount, the menu, the venue and the length of service. That is why we do not quote a fixed price.
A tasting before large events
A large event cannot be judged from photographs. For large events we arrange a tasting at Marble ahead of the day, so the menu is approved after it has been tried.
Common planning mistakes
Choosing the menu before the headcount is fixed. Leaving the smoker's position to the day. Setting the event time without a dinner time. Leaving dietary needs until the day. And the one that costs most: getting in touch late, which leaves little time for the proposal and the tasting.
Cooked on site, or dropped off
In typical catering, food is cooked hours before the event and then carried to it. At a Marble event, the smoking, seasoning and butchery happen in the Marble kitchen, the cooking is finished at your venue, and the meat is carved in front of the guests as it is served. The difference shows on the plate and in the room: the smoker and the carving become part of the event.
Why wood
We smoke in an offset smoker over samar wood, low and slow, with no gas. The fire is tended through every hour of smoking, which gives the meat its smoke without bitterness.
When to get in touch
The earlier planning starts, the more time there is to build, adjust and taste the menu before the day. If your date is close, send the details as soon as you can and we will tell you what can be arranged.
A smaller event at the restaurant
If you have fewer than 50 guests, the restaurant itself may suit you better. A private dinner seats 8 to 24 at a private table or a closed corner, and a full buyout takes up to 80, with the chef and team. Details are on the private dining page.
Who we have served
Marble has served more than 90 private and public events and worked with the Ministry of Energy, NEOM, Ithra and Arab National Bank. It was the best restaurant in Saudi Arabia on MENA's 50 Best 2025, and No. 12 in the region in 2026.
What we need for a proposal
The date and type of event. The approximate headcount. The venue and city. The dinner time. Any dietary needs among the guests. Rough details are enough to start; they are confirmed with the events team.
Booking terms
Group booking terms, including the deposit, are on the policies page.
How to begin
Send the details of your event through the events page and the events team will be in touch. For weddings and engagements, read: catering a wedding night.
