20 Best Places to Eat in Saudi Arabia: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Saudi Arabian cuisine is a rich and aromatic celebration of ancient spice routes, succulent meats, fragrant basmati rice, and warm hospitality. From traditional Najdi lamb kabsa enjoyed in carpeted floor majlises to world-class modern dining in Riyadh and fresh Red Sea seafood in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia's culinary scene is a vibrant feast.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

• Kabsa: The national dish of Saudi Arabia consisting of long-grain basmati rice cooked with tender lamb or chicken, tomatoes, saffron, cardamom, cloves, and black lime.
• Jareesh: A comforting traditional porridge made from cracked crushed wheat cooked with meat, broth, onions, and rich butter or ghee.
• Saleeg: A creamy, risotto-like dish native to the Hejaz region made of short-grain rice boiled in rich broth with milk, mastic, and tender chicken or meat.
• Margoog: Thinly rolled pieces of wheat dough boiled in a rich spiced vegetable and meat stew until tender and flavorful.
• Kleija: A famous spiced pastry from Qassim filled with sweet date molasses, cardamom, and ginger.

20 Best Places to Eat in Saudi Arabia

1. Najd Village
   • Cuisine: Authentic Traditional Najdi
   • Location: Takhassusi Street, Riyadh
   • Must-Try Dish: Traditional Lamb Kabsa & Jareesh
   • About the Place: Designed like a traditional mud-brick Najdi fort where guests dine on plush floor cushions, enjoying heritage Saudi feasts.
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2. Al Baik
   • Cuisine: Iconic Saudi Fast Food / Broasted Chicken
   • Location: Multiple Locations Nationwide (Origin: Jeddah)
   • Must-Try Dish: Al Baik Broasted Chicken Meal with Garlic Sauce
   • About the Place: Saudi Arabia's legendary and beloved fast-food institution famous for crispy broasted chicken and signature garlic sauce.
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3. Takal Restaurant
   • Cuisine: Hejazi Traditional Cuisine
   • Location: Jeddah
   • Must-Try Dish: Authentic Hejazi Saleeg & Margoog
   • About the Place: Celebrated historic eatery in Jeddah serving soul-satisfying traditional dishes rooted in Hejazi heritage.
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4. Myazu Riyadh
   • Cuisine: Contemporary Japanese Fine Dining
   • Location: Sulimaniyah, Riyadh
   • Must-Try Dish: Black Cod Miso & Wagyu Beef Robata
   • About the Place: An acclaimed upscale Japanese restaurant in Riyadh offering sophisticated contemporary fusion plates and stylish design.
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5. Suhail Restaurant
   • Cuisine: Modern Luxury Saudi & Khaleeji Cuisine
   • Location: Al-Malqa, Riyadh
   • Must-Try Dish: Saffron-Infused Lamb Mandi & Date Pudding
   • About the Place: High-end luxury dining elevating traditional Saudi Arabian recipes into modern gourmet masterpieces.
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6. Al Nakheel Restaurant
   • Cuisine: Traditional Saudi & Middle Eastern Grill
   • Location: Riyadh
   • Must-Try Dish: Mixed Grills & Mandi Lamb
   • About the Place: A spacious outdoor garden restaurant in Riyadh serving classic charcoal-grilled meats and regional favorites.
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7. Meem Cafe AlUla
   • Cuisine: Contemporary Cafe & Local Fusion
   • Location: AlUla Old Town
   • Must-Try Dish: Date Pastries & Cardamom Latte
   • About the Place: Charming desert cafe located in AlUla Old Town serving artisanal coffee and pastries made from local AlUla dates.
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8. Nozomi Riyadh
   • Cuisine: Contemporary Japanese & Luxury Dining
   • Location: Al-Dabab Street, Riyadh
   • Must-Try Dish: Lobster Tempura & Wagyu Truffle Maki
   • About the Place: Acclaimed upscale dining venue in Riyadh known for luxurious Japanese cuisine and elegant atmosphere.
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9. Al-Salloum Traditional Restaurant
   • Cuisine: Authentic Qassimi & Najdi Heritage
   • Location: Buraydah, Qassim
   • Must-Try Dish: Qassimi Kleija & Haneeth Lamb
   • About the Place: Located in Qassim province, celebrated for serving the most authentic date pastries and slow-roasted haneeth meats.
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10. Byblos Jeddah
    • Location: Jeddah Waterfront
    • Must-Try Dish: Lebanese Mezze & Grilled Seafood
    • About the Place: Premium waterfront dining overlooking the Red Sea serving exquisite Lebanese and Mediterranean dishes.
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11. Somewhere AlUla (Hegra Oasis)
    • Cuisine: Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Fusion
    • Location: AlUla Oasis
    • Must-Try Dish: Potato Hummus & Truffle Shawarma
    • About the Place: Trendy open-air garden restaurant nestled within the palm groves of AlUla oasis, offering inventive sharing plates.
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12. Mabanna Al-Balad Restaurant
    • Location: Al-Balad, Historic Jeddah
    • Must-Try Dish: Hejazi Megal & Samak Mashwi (Grilled Fish)
    • About the Place: Set inside a restored 19th-century coral stone mansion in historic Jeddah, serving classic Hejazi coastal cuisine.
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13. Entrecôte Cafe de Paris Riyadh
    • Cuisine: French Steakhouse
    • Location: Al-Raidah Digital City, Riyadh
    • Must-Try Dish: Entrecôte Steak with Secret Herb Butter
    • About the Place: Renowned Parisian steakhouse bringing its legendary single-course steak and secret herb sauce to Riyadh.
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14. Amici Italian Restaurant
    • Cuisine: Authentic Italian
    • Location: Khobar, Eastern Province
    • Must-Try Dish: Wood-Fired Neapolitan Pizza & Homemade Gnocchi
    • About the Place: Popular Italian restaurant in Khobar known for authentic wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta dishes.
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15. Urth Caffé Riyadh
    • Cuisine: Organic Cafe & Bakery
    • Location: Al-Thumama Road, Riyadh
    • Must-Try Dish: Spanish Latte & Organic Shakshuka
    • About the Place: Famous organic LA cafe brand in Riyadh serving specialty coffee, healthy brunch dishes, and artisan pastries.
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16. Al-Qandeel Palace
    • Cuisine: Traditional Saudi & Yemeni Mandi
    • Location: Medina
    • Must-Try Dish: Yemeni Mandi Lamb with Basmati Rice
    • About the Place: A classic traditional dining venue in Medina serving succulent meat slow-roasted in underground pit ovens.
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17. Assarain Restaurant
    • Cuisine: Asiri Mountain Cuisine
    • Location: Abha
    • Must-Try Dish: Asiri Aseeda with Honey and Ghee
    • About the Place: Traditional mountain restaurant in Abha serving comforting Asiri dishes like wheat aseeda served with mountain honey and clarified butter.
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18. San Carlo Cicchetti Riyadh
    • Cuisine: Venetian Italian Tapas
    • Location: As-Sahafa, Riyadh
    • Must-Try Dish: Truffle and Parmesan Fries & Risotto
    • About the Place: Stylish Venetian restaurant offering small-plate Italian cicchetti in a chic, vibrant setting.
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19. Le Relais de l'Entrecôte Jeddah
    • Cuisine: French Steakhouse
    • Location: Al-Shati District, Jeddah
    • Must-Try Dish: Steak Frites with Secret Sauce
    • About the Place: Iconic French steakhouse overlooking Jeddah's northern coast, serving the famous steak-and-fries set menu.
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20. Al-Tazaj Fast Food
    • Cuisine: Fresh Grilled Chicken Fast Food
    • Location: Nationwide Branches
    • Must-Try Dish: Fresh Barbecue Chicken with Garlic Rice
    • About the Place: A legendary Saudi fast-food chain famous for serving fresh, tender charcoal-grilled chicken marinated in special Arabic spices.
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Featured Image

Traditional Saudi Kabsa and Gourmet Middle Eastern Feast