The Kingdom's food and beverage sector has seen remarkable growth, with Riyadh's vibrant dining scene leading the charge.
As cooler weather settles in, the city's culinary landscape is buzzing with renewed energy. For those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle, food trucks are making a stylish comeback.
Here's a roundup of must-try trucks scattered across the city, offering everything from spiced tea and hearty pasta to Jizani fries and klijas—perfect for warming up and indulging in comfort food.
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Batatis Jizani
What makes fries from Jizan different, you might ask? Jizani fries are cut thicker, a style reminiscent of one origin story of the “French fry.” The thick-cut fries, also known as pont neuf in professional kitchens, were first served by street vendors on the historical Pont Neuf bridge in Paris. And these aren’t your typical frozen potato sticks found in most restaurants. These big bite, crispy-edged, and fluffy-centred spuds are served with special seasonings and sauces like tart tamarind, fiery dakous (local red and green salsas), toum (garlic sauce), and hot sauce. The flavours are spot-on, perfect for satisfying those late-night cravings.
Abi Bakr As Siddiq Branch Road, An Nada, Riyadh
The 60 Pasta
This is a food truck that checks all the boxes when it comes to serving to-go pasta. The sauces are rich, the added mushrooms or chicken are fresh and cooked to order, and it's served with copious amounts of cheese – a delicious trifecta. They serve pasta in foil or scooped into warm, fresh bread that sops up the sauce and keeps goodness coming after you’re done with your pasta. Choose from zingy tomato, creamy Alfredo, or a truffle sauce. You can also customise your pasta with added spice, mushrooms, chicken, or extra cheesy goodness.
Between Wadi Al Hayat and King Fahad Bridge Road, Al Muruj, Riyadh
@the60pasta
Klijas
This truck brings an innovative twist to a traditional dessert from Al Qassim. This UNESCO-recognised treat is baked with its iconic outer diamond pattern. The hollow centre, usually filled with spiced sugar or date molasses, is replaced with fillings like pistachio, cinnamon, and hazelnut chocolate, then dipped in a glaze that complements the flavour. The truck is conveniently surrounded by others serving tea and coffee, so you do not need to go far to enjoy the perfect pairing with these wholewheat disks of deliciousness.
Prince Mohammed Ibn Salman Ibn Abdulaziz Road, Ar Rabi, Riyadh
@klijas_sa
Jithwa Tea
While grabbing your klijas, you don’t need to go too far to find some of Riyadh’s best tea and coffee. Jithwa, the Arabic word for “flamed,” serves a variety of hot drinks, from spiced teas with ginger and cardamom to delicate mint or green tea. Served in take-home nostalgic glass cups that many locals grew up with for afternoon tea, they also offer paper cups and sharing-size thermoses. The menu includes different types of mint, like Taif spearmint (known as ha’bag), Moroccan mint, and their special Jithwa blend tea. They also serve hibiscus, and lemon with ginger or mint brews. If that isn’t your cup of tea (pun intended), they also serve coffee and warm cups of spiced Adani or ginger milk. You really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
Prince Mohammed Ibn Salman Ibn Abdulaziz Road, Ar Rabi, Riyadh
Mp Sandwich
Sometimes, the secret to a great dish is what you leave out, and MP Sandwich proves that less is more. Their focused menu offers three sandwiches, each crafted to perfection. What more could you ask for? All sandwiches are made with the softest buns, filled with Angus beef coated in either a special or spicy sauce, and topped with pomegranate molasses and rocca or crispy onions. True to their slogan, "the sandwich of your dreams," they truly deliver on taste.
Al Takhassou Street, An Nakheel, Riyadh
@mp.sandwich
Rasha
Rasha’s menu features tasty wraps, burgers, and fries, but the real draw is its ice cream and frozen desserts, which may even be better in winter since they don’t melt! The soft serve, with a variety of toppings to choose from, comes in charming clay jars. While other places may offer similar swirled ice cream, Rasha delivers an experience. Indulge in a refreshing dose of vitamin C with their fruit-flavoured sorbets and ice creams, topped with fresh fruit like mango, strawberry, watermelon, pomegranate, and minty lemon. A comfy seating area also invites you to relax and enjoy your order.
Al-Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal Street, Ar Rawabi, Riyadh
@rashah.ice
