30 Must-Try Eateries

Saudi Arabia is a country renowned for our own outstanding traditional cuisine.

It’s also no secret, that the Kingdom is teeming with delicious restaurants to satisfy every taste and preference.

Whether you're a local resident or a visitor seeking culinary inspiration, we've compiled a comprehensive list of our top dining destinations that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

From high-end steakhouses to fast food joints and picturesque venues perfect for capturing the ultimate Instagram shot, our selection encompasses a diverse range of options.

So, get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a wide variety of mouth-watering flavors, and embark on an unforgettable culinary journey through Saudi Arabia's finest dining establishments.

Traditional Fare

When in Saudi, we highly recommend trying wholesome, flavourful, and traditional Saudi eats, or for delicious local dishes with a twist, check out our recommendations. In no particular order, these are some of our team’s favourite restaurants for tasty traditional Saudi fare.

Takya (@takya_sa)

A fusion kitchen, Takya serves up interesting combinations of Western food and traditional Saudi dishes. Try local plates such as the red jareesh, a flavourful dish made of cracked barley, chicken, onion, tomatoes, and a blend of traditional spices, served with caramelised fagha and cranberry. Expect modern interiors, and contemporary twists and takes on traditional regional dishes.

Najd Village (@najdvillagesa)

If you’re looking for a truly traditional dining experience, you need to visit Najd Village. The past is beautifully captured in the interiors and the food. Seated on the floor, you will feast on traditional meals like matazeez and magloba, or share a sofra with a variety of dishes.

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MAIZ (@maizriyadh)

Self-described as a “collision of Saudi heritage and cuisine,” Maiz serves up elevated and fine dining takes on your favourite traditional dishes from home. Traditionally themed, Maiz aims to (and succeeds in) serving up authentic dishes from the kingdom.

Fast Food

Sometimes the only thing that will really hit the spot is something quick and delicious. Fast food options in Saudi are aplenty, and here are some of the local favourites.

Animal (@animal.ksa)

Served on canteen trays, these are made to be devoured. Whether you choose the crispy buttermilk chicken or juicy beef patties, both are served with a delicious array of toppings and between two pillowy buns. We always make sure to leave room for the ultra-Instagrammable chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich.

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Burger Boutique (@burgerboutique)

Taking a sustainable, fresh, and organic approach to good mood food, Burger Boutique serves up juicy smash burgers will all the toppings. With a wide variety of options, from flatbreads to salads, sliders to burgers, you won’t go hungry. Our top recommendation? Try Heat Wave from the Signature Burgers section of the menu. Make sure to save room for dessert, share the Biscoff monkey bread or chocolate brownie pudding.

BirdLot (@birdlot.sa)

Burgers, buckets, wings, and strips! Get ready to go crazy for crispy, delicious fried chicken and fresh salty fries. This place is all about chicken and they do it really well. We love the spicy crunchy chicken bucket, and we also highly recommended the classic chicken burger.

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Steakhouses

Big, juicy, tender steaks. Whether you’re on the hunt for a good bite, or have been looking for a steak dinner night out with the other half, we’ve got you covered with some of our favourite steak spots in Saudi.

Smokey Beards (@smokeybeardsq)

This is a no-frills but all-the-flavor type of steakhouse. Or more correctly, a smokehouse. Focused on doing brisket and ribs to perfection, this establishment really knows how to do meat that just falls off the bones.

Sides are kept traditional (in the American sense); you’ll find onion strings, potato salad, and slaw, as well as mac and cheese on the menu. It’s a hard yes from us.

Porterhouse (@porterhouse_ksa)

If you’re after a really reliable steak joint, Porterhouse is worth a visit. Dive into dishes like its mini wagyu burgers stacked with onion jam, melted Gruyère cheese, and crispy potatoes between two buns, and the grilled bone marrow served with salad and grilled chapati bread. You’ll also find a great selection of premium meats cooked to perfection. Delicious!

Marble (@marblecuisine)

Referring to the intricate marbling of fat found within prime cuts of meat, Marble is a fine dining butcher and smoker, and is focused on a farm-to-table concept. With open-flame grilling and in-house smoking, the meat served at Marble is full of flavor. The menu is simple and split between smoked ribs or brisket, marble burger or open flame cooked ribeye steak.

Fine Dining Restaurants

Saudi has so many incredible, and international fine dining options. If you’re celebrating a big life moment or maybe even a birthday, these are some of the top fine dining restaurants in the nation. Discover flavours from around the world.

Cool & Unique Cafes

What would this list be without some cool, quirky, Instagrammable spots? Saudi’s café scene is thriving, and here are a few spots where you’ll find us hanging out on the regular. Whether you’re after a good coffee or a place to meet with friends, we’ve got you covered.

SARABETH’S (@sarabeths.sa)

One for those with a sweet tooth, New York import Sarabeth’s is known worldwide. Although you can get savory dishes, we recommend diving into the tall stack of freshly made American pancakes drizzled with sweet maple syrup. The food is incredibly good and the coffee is poured to perfection! You can’t go wrong adding this spot to your list.

LOOK UP (@lookup_cafe)

Bringing together neon lights and glowing black light art in one cool space, Look Up is a café with nightclub vibes and we love it. Hosting concerts by local musicians, Look Up most definitely brings the community together. Share shisha with your friends or grab delicious bites like dynamite shrimp, burgers, fries, and pizzas.