Irth – Cruise Saudi – Aroya Cruises

Submitted by: SMC Design
Lead Designers: Alan Stewart & Liz Richardson, SMC Design
Outfitter: MJM Marine
Completion date: 30/11/2024

Irth, the flagship Saudi restaurant of Aroya Cruises, offers guests an immersive dining experience showcasing speciality dishes crafted from the freshest local produce sourced from all five regions of Saudi Arabia. The design of Irth by SMC draws deeply from the traditional arts and crafts of the Kingdom, with invaluable input from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture. This collaboration has ensured that every design element authentically reflects Saudi heritage.

The design process for Irth, guided by the Ministry of Culture, focused on four key zones:

1. Entrance and culinary narrative: Setting the stage for the culinary journey.
2. Local produce and retail display: Showcasing the region’s diverse ingredients.
3. Saudi coffee experience and show kitchen: Highlighting traditional coffee preparation, and Saudi cuisines.
4. Main dining area: Featuring a performance space and private dining options.

The entrance to Irth introduces guests to the rich culinary landscape of Saudi Arabia, setting an inviting tone for the dining experience. A series of five tapestries, each representing one of Saudi Arabia’s regions, map the origins of the ingredients used in Irth’s dishes while celebrating the local farmers and their fantastic produce.

Inside, guests are welcomed at the Maître D’ and retail desk, crafted from Acacia wood, a nod to Saudi Arabia’s most common tree. ‘Irth’ branded Saudi products such as coffee, dates and olive oil from across the Kingdom are used in Irth’s dishes and are displayed for sale for guests to take home.

At the heart of the restaurant is the show kitchen, where the head chef prepares traditional Saudi dishes, including breads baked in Tandoor ovens and culinary foul cooked in a special pot. Additionally, a barista roasts coffee beans from all five regions, creating the region’s signature coffee blends.

The restaurant’s materials and colour scheme draw inspiration from Saudi’s diverse landscapes and architecture, with warm, earthy tones and textures that echo the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The ceiling features a contemporary take on traditional tapestry weaving, and back-illuminated in the evenings to create a warm ambiance to the restaurant. Olive trees divide the seating areas, reinforcing Irth’s commitment to showcasing local Saudi produce in a profound and meaningful way.