Saudi Arabia Food Culture | Traditional Cuisine & International Restaurants

Saudi Arabia food culture has developed largely from surrounding regions, so visitors to the Kingdom have a pleasant variety of both local dishes and international cuisine to explore. While traditional culinary experiences are best enjoyed with locals, popular tourist destinations like Riyadh and Jeddah ensure that guests to the Kingdom can dine on authentic Saudi food yet still have international restaurants and fast food favorites around every corner.

Saudi Arabia food culture | Must-try traditional dishes

Many traditional dishes enjoyed in Saudi Arabia are much like the Middle Eastern cuisine found in the surrounding countries of Yemen, Egypt, Oman and the UAE. In fact, most of these countries have been “swapping” recipes and flavors for centuries, so it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint where a dish originated. Saudi Arabia food culture follows this culinary code for the most part, but the country does lay an indisputable claim to one dish, and that’s kabsa.

Kabsa

Tamees

4 Middle Eastern foods to try in Saudi Arabia

• Kabsa – this dish is a delicious blend of basmati (usually) rice cooked with a variety of meats, vegetables and spices. The beauty of traditional kabsa is the way it is cooked. The name kabsa actually comes from the Arabic word kbs, meaning pressed. The ingredients for kabsa are traditionally cooked together – or pressed – in one pot, creating a sensuous blend of melt-in-your-mouth flavors. In Saudi Arabia, kabsa is prepared with all kinds of meats, including chicken, beef, goat, lamb and even camel. Fish and shrimp options are available as well. In addition, most kabsa is flavored with a combination of cloves, cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, bay leaves, black pepper, nutmeg and black lime, or limes that have been dried in the sun.

• Tamees – associated with Afghan cuisine but also a staple food for many Saudis, tamees is a flat bread traditionally baked in a tandoor, or a cylindrical clay or metal oven. Tamees is eaten with many Saudi Arabian dishes, but two popular stews served with tamees are ful (sometimes spelled fuul) and adas. Both are flavored with cumin, garlic, lemon juice and chilis, but ful is prepared with fava beans, while adas contains lentils.

• Umm Ali (Om Ali) – known traditionally as an Egyptian dessert, umm ali is similar to bread pudding but prepared with puff pastry and no eggs. This sweet and simple dessert is a mixture of flaky breads baked with milk, sugar, raisins, coconut, cinnamon and almonds (or sometimes pistachios).

• Dates – Saudi Arabia is ranked fourth in the world in producing dates, and the country offers all kinds of dates to sample. Visitors can (and should) pick up some souvenir dates from any of the date farms open to tourists or at local souqs. (Travelers who forget to grab some dates before heading home can buy all they need at any airport gift shop in Saudi Arabia.)

Umm Ali (Om Ali)

Dates

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Street food culture in Saudi Arabia

Street food has its place in every country, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. Middle Eastern favorites like falafel and shwarma wraps are just a couple cheap and quick street food options that can be found in local shops and restaurants. Tourists, however, might feel more at ease eating at popular street food chains.

Popular street food restaurants in Jeddah and Riyadh

Operation Falafel – loved for its falafel and schwarma wraps as well as kabsa, ful, hummus and several other Middle Eastern staples.

Riyadh: Northern Ring Branch Road (Rubeen Plaza)
Jeddah: King Abdulaziz Service Road (Etoile Center)

Mama Noura – famous for shwarma, grilled meats and Middle Eastern appetizers and also serves piping hot falafel with hummus.

Riyadh only: branches on King Abdullah Branch Road, Aishah Bint Abi Bakr, Prince Fahad Ibn Saad Ibn Abdul Rahman, King Abdullah Road, Damman Branch Road (Al Yarmuk) and Ath Thumamah Road

Al Baik – best known for tasty fried chicken but also popular for burgers, fries and Western fast food.

Al Baik has dozens of restaurants scattered throughout – Riyadh and Jeddah. Hungry tourists also can find branches in Mecca, Al Lith, Jazan, Medina and Abha.

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Saudi Arabia food culture | traditional experience

For a traditional, sit-on-the-floor and eat-with-your-hands Saudi Arabia food culture experience, head to Al Najdiyah Restaurant in Riyadh. This simple restaurant serves traditional Middle Eastern dishes that are best shared with a group of three or more.

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Saudi Arabia food culture | International cuisine

Saudi Arabia cuisine is influenced by surrounding regions, for sure, but it also flaunts plenty of international fare as well. Visitors from Western and Asian regions will find familiar restaurant chains, world-renowned flavors and creative fusion dishes.

Best international restaurants in Riyadh & Jeddah

Riyadh and Jeddah are two of the most popular cities to visit in Saudi Arabia. Likewise, they both contain a vast choice of upscale restaurants offering everything from Lebanese food to American staples. Many restaurants have branches in both cities, and some are established in multiple locations. Keep your Saudi itinerary simple by visiting the most popular branches in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Leila min Lebanon (just Leila in Jeddah) specializes in simple Lebanese fare served in a cozy atmosphere.

Riyadh: Takhassusi Street
Jeddah: U Shape Center, Prince Saud Al Faisal, Ar Rawdah

Karam Beirut offers an upscale dining experience focused on traditional Lebanese dishes.

Riyadh: Tahlia Street (across from Lamborghini Showroom) in As Sulimaniyah
Jeddah: Patchi shopping mall, King Abdul Aziz Road, Ash Shati

Lusin focuses on Armenian food and provides guests a romantic environment in which to enjoy creative dishes.

Riyadh: Centria Mall, Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Road
Jeddah: Teatro Mall, Al Andalus

Piatto is a popular go-to restaurant for Italian cuisine. Travelers will find five locations in Jeddah and eight branches in Riyadh.

Riyadh: 2587-2605 Northern Ring Branch Rd, Al Maseef
Jeddah: Etoile Center, King Abdulaziz Road

Nozomi is famous for its Japanese cuisine, namely sushi. In this classy establishment, the dishes are as beautiful to look at as they are to eat.

Riyadh: Musad Bin Jalawi, As Sulimaniyah
Jeddah: Al Basateen Mall, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Street, Ar Rawdah

Benihana is loved around the globe for its fast-paced Hibachi cooking style, live performances by world-class chefs and of course, its tasty Japanese food.

Riyadh: Northern Ring Branch Road, Al Taawun
Jeddah: Abdul Rahman At Tubayshi

For Chinese, head to PF Chang’s. In Jeddah, the restaurant is located in the popular shopping district of Al Andalus, and in Riyadh, the restaurant in Sidra Mall is popular for its cozy setting and lively music.

Riyadh: Sidra Mall, Imam Saud Bin Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Road, Ash Shuhada
Jeddah: Le Mall, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Street

For American favorites, both cities feature branches of Texas Roadhouse, The Cheesecake Factory, Big Chefs and Brisket.

Travelers craving a juicy steak or any meat cooked over an open fire should visit The Butcher Shop & Grill in either city and Texas de Brazil in Riyadh or Brasa de Brazil in Jeddah.

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Best international restaurants in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia food culture takes on a personality of its own in the capital city of Riyadh. Visitors will find a show-stopping selection of high-class restaurants and a satisfying number of affordable establishments offering 5-star food.

• The Globe Lounge is a spectacular place to spend a date night. The revolving restaurant “hangs” in the top of Al Faisaliah Tower and serves elegant Wagyu beef and succulent seafood entrées complemented by a panoramic view of Riyadh. The Globe Lounge is the signature restaurant of the Al Faisaliah Hotel. Guests staying at the hotel enjoy a 10 percent discount at The Globe Lounge. A stay at the hotel is not required for guests who want to dine in the restaurant, but reservations are highly recommended.

• Ritage by Maroun Chedid in Riyadh Park is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and prides itself on creating international dishes with Lebanese flair. The founding chef, Maroun Chedid, is well known across Lebanon and now hosts his own cooking academy.

• Fans of LAVASH, 3407 Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Road, claim that the Lebanese food served is some of the tastiest in the city and that eating here is one of the best fine dining experiences in Riyadh!

• Tokyo Restaurant on Al Urubah Road was the first Japanese restaurant to open in Saudi Arabia and has been satisfying customers since 1985. Not only does the restaurant prepare sushi with the freshest ingredients, but it also focuses on building lasting relationships with clientele.

• San Carlo Cicchetti, 8030 Kharijat Ibn Hudhafah, is gaining popularity in Riyadh and is considered one of the most stylish Italian restaurants in the city. Dishes are served by professional Italian waiters in an atmosphere that beckons customers to relax and savor every bite.

• Eataly at Al Malik An Nasir specializes in authentic Italian cuisine, and while the food gets outstanding ratings, the ambiance of the restaurant also scores high with customers.

• Indian food lovers have a few choices, but two of the best are Amaly and Zafran, located on Northern Ring Brand Road. Both offer upscale dining experiences and authentic Indian flavors.

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