Fish Market

Fish Market is a Michelin Selected seafood restaurant on Hussein Basalamah Street in the Al Shati district of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, not far from the Corniche. The concept follows a long Jeddah tradition: fresh fish is displayed, diners choose what they want, and the kitchen cooks it to order. The Red Sea supplies the core of the menu, and the cooking keeps to simple, direct methods that let the fish speak for itself. Signature dishes include grilled hamour, the grouper that is among the most valued fish of the Gulf; fried najil, the local fish served crisp and hot; and prawns. The Michelin four-dollar price band signals a higher-priced meal, and a typical bill runs about SAR 150-350 (roughly $40-93) per person, depending on the species and weight selected and on how much shellfish is ordered. The dining room has the lively, busy feel of a seafood house, with a mood that is social and family-oriented and noise levels that rise in the evening as tables fill. Dress is casual to smart-casual, with modest clothing expected in Saudi Arabia. Alcohol is not available in the kingdom, so the drinks list centres on juices, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Opening hours are not published, so visitors should confirm before visiting. Reservations are recommended, particularly for larger groups and for Thursday and Friday evenings, and can be made through the restaurant's Instagram or Google Maps listing. Booking a day or two ahead is normally enough for small parties. As fish is sold by weight, it helps to ask for the price of the chosen fish before it goes to the kitchen, and to ask how it is best prepared, since grilling and frying suit different species. The Al Shati location makes the restaurant a convenient dinner stop after a walk along the Corniche, and it is a straightforward choice for visitors who want to try the Red Sea catch without travelling into the old city.