Guide To The Best Saudi Dishes & Where to Eat Them!

Considered as the national dish of Saudi, Kabsa is a rice dish made with meat and vegetables. The chefs of Saudi make extensive use of dried fruits and nuts in most of their preparations, Kabsa is no exception to this rule! We suggest you grab a spoon and take a deep dive into the mounds of this flavourful rice cuisine!

It includes extensive cooking techniques that may vary from place to place, where a combination of meat, rice, and spices are cooked underground. There is a mild taste and smooth texture that the rice and meat get from hours of cooking underneath. Madfoon is a comfort food for a lot of Saudi households, where the family members grew up with the recipes that were passed down from generations

Often served as a side dish to complement the main of lamb and vegetables, Qursan is a delicious dish saturated with gravy. It includes thin layers of fresh bread dipped in the gravy. It’s another filling comfort food in the domestic households of Saudi. The rich flavors of this preparation puts this on our list of must-try-dishes!

It is made from ground wheat served with chicken, onion and crushed rice. This traditional dish is popular throughout the Middle East, particularly in Saudi. While most of the cuisines mentioned on this list are rich in rice and meat, Jarish is the one for those looking for foods rich in Vitamin B!

Commonly regarded as the national dish of the Hejaz region, saleeg is a white-rice dish, cooked with buttermilk and broth. It is a famous Saudi dish that will never let you down! It is prepared with simple ingredients in no time and hence is absolutely popular in Saudi households. 

It is another chicken and rice dish of traditional Saudi cuisine. It includes chicken pieces sauteed and cooked in spices, served over a bed of aromatic basmati rice. While you may start wondering, how can one country have so many rice dishes? Well, the Saudi recipes are rich in diverse spices, combinations of which are spread across different rice cuisines that they offer.

Each is unique in terms of flavors and invites a completely different palatable experience!

Taking a break from the rice dishes, let’s conclude with the ultimate Saudi street food - Mutabbaq! It is a fried and stuffed pancake that is a famous street food item. There are a variety of fillings options for you to pick from - meats, eggs, garlic, ghee, onion, and peppers.

The flat bread dough is more like roti and requires an expert hand for its perfect shape. Grab one while scouting through the souqs of breathtaking Saudi!

It is a traditional Lebanese restaurant that celebrates the authenticity of home cooking. Established in 1979, Burj Al Hamam has become one of the most popular restaurants in Riyadh. 

Cafe Bateel presents an exciting new concept, Mediterranean fare, in casual dining fashion. The menu presents a combination of Mediterranean cuisine and Asian hospitality. It is a true paradise for gourmets and hosts a number of specialties like pasta, artisanal cakes, french pastries, and premium coffee.

Prepare yourself for a delightful experience at this chic cafe in the heart of Saudi!

Spazio is an Italian restaurant in the Kingdom Tower, Riyadh. It has redefined fine dining with contemporary design, stylish furniture, and warm lighting. Spazio serves appetizing pasta, salad, risotto, and meat dishes. So if your palate starts craving for an Italian variety, head straight to Spazio to satiate that desire!

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Saudi cuisine is known for its unique flavours and rich preparation. The widespread presence of the traditional food of this country hints at the fact that people have retained their tradition and the rich recipes of the past. Also, the coastal location of Saudi surrounded by the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea gives the privilege of providing fresh seafood, one of the primary ingredients used in many of their popular preparations. So if you liked this list, share it with your friends and plan a trip to breathtaking Saudi NOW!