We have some good news – a low budget is absolutely no obstacle to eating well in Jeddah. While the city certainly has its fair share of pricey restaurants, they’re far outnumbered by the countless small cafes, stalls, food trucks and canteens selling delicious, everyday staples at a very reasonable price. Many of these venues are older and more traditional than the upscale spots, so eating here is a way to see a completely different side of Jeddah.
Choose your eating-out locations carefully. Al Balad is a treasure trove of great-value, old-style restaurants, many of which are known for a particular regional specialty. Along the public beaches and parks, you’ll find low-cost snack stalls, budget-friendly diners and food trucks, often open until late at night. These are our pick of the best budget eats in Jeddah.
1. Picnic at the Corniche
Picnicking is practically a national sport in Saudi Arabia, and the best place for an al fresco meal in Jeddah is along the Corniche. Bring a blanket and head to one of the many parks and gardens that line the 30km waterfront. These areas get busy in the cooler evenings, so arrive early if you want to nab a nice shady spot in time for sunset.
If you don’t have time to prepare a meal in advance, head to one of the food trucks often parked along the Ash Shati public beach area, such as X Bite for juicy burgers that won't empty your wallet.
2. Baissa Mandi Meat
Mandi is a dish of meat, rice and spices that’s originally Yemeni, but variations are commonly eaten all over the Middle East. It’s particularly popular in Saudi Arabia and can be found at many inexpensive eateries. Head to Al Balad to try this fragrant specialty prepared in traditional style. Al Shadwi Restaurant slow-cooks the meat in an underground pit, while Baissa Mandi Meat serves authentic goat head mandi. It can be a little tricky to find these small restaurants in the winding Al Balad alleyways, so get their locations from the linked Google Maps at www.visitalbalad.com/taste.
3. Hunt for Happy Hours
Many of Jeddah’s restaurants, particularly those based in hotels, have special offers if you dine at a certain time. Discounts, two-for-one deals and free dishes are all there for the taking if you plan your evening out accordingly. Casa Mia, Siddharta Lounge and Mövenpick Jeddah are just some of the venues in Jeddah with regular offers – keep an eye on their social media accounts to see what’s on, and make sure you grab a table during their happy hours.
4. Al Baik Fried Chicken
Al Baik is a local institution and is often called Saudi’s answer to KFC (fans swear Al Baik’s fried chicken is crispier and tastier). The fast food chain got international recognition when the late TV chef Anthony Bourdain was filmed in Jeddah’s Red Sea Mall branch, savouring deep-fried chicken pieces with creamy garlic sauce – he pronounced them ‘really good.’ There are plenty of outlets all across Jeddah and a visit here is an easy, affordable treat for families eating out on a budget.
5. Palm Beach Shawarma
You’re never going to be far from a decent shawarma stall or food van in Jeddah, whether you find yourself downtown, in the malls or along the Corniche. These wraps of spit-roasted chicken or other meat, fries, garlic mayo, tahini, chili sauce, pickles and fries are the quintessential wallet-friendly snack in Saudi. Try Palm Beach KSA, which is cheap, cheerful and reliably good. There are several branches listed on their Instagram page and most are open from 7am to 2am – after all, you never know when you might need a shawarma fix.
6. Central Fish Market
Central Fish Market is a fun food and cultural experience, but it’s also one of Jeddah’s cheapest places for a fantastic seafood meal. Visitors can pick what they want to eat from the iced stalls (there are lots of local catches marked 'baladi,' as well as lobster, prawns and fish from further afield in the region). Prices vary depending on supplies when you visit, but typically are lower than they would be in a supermarket.
You can also haggle a little if you want to. Next, take your purchases to the cleaning counter and then to the on-site restaurant to be grilled or fried (approx SAR15 per kilo) and eaten on the spot. An absolute bargain for what’s probably the freshest seafood meal you’ve ever had.
7. Choose bargain local staples
Jeddah’s best-loved everyday foods are almost always good value – look out for kabsa (Saudi’s ‘national dish’ of meat and rice), falafel wraps, hummus with hunks of bread, samosas filled with potatoes, meat and veggies, and ful medames, a garlicky fava bean stew. These dishes are ubiquitous in casual canteens and diners across town, especially in and around the Al Balad area, and you can expect them to cost very little.
8. Take a trip to an ice cream parlour
Jeddah is home to some gorgeous ice cream parlours and a trip here is a perfect feel-good treat any time – but especially if your budget is running a little low. Penguin's, which has multiple branches across Jeddah, is a great option for anyone who loves soft serve (their cute, old-fashioned ice cream parlour style is a big draw too).
There are an array of flavours on offer, including banana, lotus, grapefruit and coffee, as well as the classic chocolate, berry and vanilla varieties. Mix them up if you fancy, choose a cone (everyone loves the Oreo ones), get your toppings added and you’re good to go. Shakes and coffee are also available, and ice creams start from just SAR12, so there’s no chance of breaking the bank here.
