Al Balad fish restaurant where diners pick their fish by weight and have it fried or grilled with rice; meals are reported at SAR 50-100 (~$13-27).
Ba'eshen Fish is a traditional fish restaurant at the end of Hawateen Alley, beside the north gate of Al Nada Market in Al Balad, the historic quarter of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The format is simple and long-established in the Hijaz: diners choose their fish from the display, it is weighed, and the kitchen then fries or grills it and serves it with rice. The signature dishes are fried najil, grilled hareed and fried prawns, all of which reflect the Red Sea catch that has supplied Jeddah's old city for generations. Prices are among the gentlest for sit-down seafood in the city, with meals reported at about SAR 50-100 (roughly $13-27) per person depending on the weight and species chosen. The dining room is the main draw beyond the food. Rooms are laid out in the majlis style, with low seating and floor cushions, so the experience feels closer to eating in a traditional Hijazi home than in a conventional restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxed, communal and often lively, particularly in the evening when residents and visitors exploring the heritage district arrive together. Dress is casual, though modest clothing is expected in Al Balad. Alcohol is not available in Saudi Arabia, so tea, juices and soft drinks accompany the meal, and sweet courses are often taken next door at Bait Al Marsi in the same alley. The restaurant is reported to open daily from about 12:15 to 23:00, although hours should be confirmed before visiting. It does not run a formal reservation system; the practice is to walk in, and waits can form at peak times such as Friday and Saturday evenings and during the cooler months when tourism to the historic district rises. Visitors who prefer a calmer seating often arrive at the start of lunch service or after the main dinner rush. Because the fish is sold by weight, it helps to ask the price of the chosen fish before it is cooked, particularly for larger species or prawns. The alley location also makes it easy to combine the meal with a walk past the coral-stone merchant houses of Historic Jeddah.
| Price | About SAR 50-100 (~$13-27) per person |
|---|---|
| Hours | Reported daily about 12:15-23:00; confirm before visiting |
| Reservations | Walk-ins; diners choose fish by weight, then it is fried or grilled |
| Address | Hawateen Alley, end of Al Nada Market, near the north gate, Al Balad, Jeddah 22233, Saudi Arabia |
Signature dishes
- Fried najil
- Grilled hareed
- Fried prawns
Good to know
- Known for
- Choose-your-fish dining with floor seating in majlis rooms
Location
Hawateen Alley, end of Al Nada Market, near the north gate, Al Balad, Jeddah 22233, Saudi Arabia
21.4881, 39.1872 View on map
Highlights
- Pick-by-weight fish, fried or grilled and served with rice
- Floor seating in traditional majlis-style rooms
- Fried najil, grilled hareed and fried prawns
- Meals reported at only SAR 50-100 per person
Tips for visiting
- Ask the price of the chosen fish before it is cooked, since it is sold by weight.
- Arrive at the start of lunch or after the evening rush to avoid waits.
- Expect floor seating in majlis rooms; wear comfortable, modest clothing.
- Finish with marsi at Bait Al Marsi, next door in Hawateen Alley.
- Hours are reported as roughly 12:15-23:00 daily; confirm before visiting.
When to visit
Early lunch or later in the evening avoids the busiest periods. The cooler months, from November to March, make the walk through Al Balad most pleasant.
Accessibility
The restaurant is in a historic alley in Al Balad with majlis-style floor seating, which can be difficult for wheelchair users and for those who cannot sit low. Visitors with mobility needs should check in advance whether a table can be arranged.
Frequently asked questions
How does ordering work at Ba'eshen Fish?
Diners choose a fish by weight, and the kitchen fries or grills it and serves it with rice. Fried prawns and hareed are also on offer.
Is seating on the floor?
Many rooms follow the traditional majlis style with low seating and cushions, which is part of the restaurant's character.
How much does a meal cost?
Meals are reported at about SAR 50-100 (roughly $13-27) per person, depending on the fish chosen.
Does the restaurant take reservations?
It operates mainly on a walk-in basis, so queues can form on busy evenings.