Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's capital, a fast-changing desert city where the mud-brick Masmak Fortress, the National Museum, the Kingdom Centre Sky Bridge and the UNESCO-listed At-Turaif district in Diriyah sit within a short drive of each other.
Riyadh's home cooking is Najdi: rice-and-meat platters such as kabsa, mandi and mathbi, wheat dishes such as jareesh, saleeg and margoog, and Arabic coffee with dates offered first to every guest. Saudi chains such as Al Romansiah, Najd Village and Kudu sit beside Levantine, Persian, Indian and international fine dining at Bujairi Terrace, VIA Riyadh and KAFD. Alcohol is prohibited everywhere in Saudi Arabia, so menus feature mocktails, fresh juices, laban and specialty coffee.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Riyadh.
Kabsa
Spiced rice cooked with chicken, lamb or camel, the national dish.
Where to try: Dr. Kabsa, Al Romansiah, Najd Village
Price: About SAR 35–90 (~$9.3–24)
Mandi and mathbi
Slow-cooked meat over smoky rice (mandi) or grilled on hot stone (mathbi).
Where to try: Al Saudi, Najd Village
Price: About SAR 45–100 (~$12–27)
Jareesh
Cracked wheat cooked with meat and yoghurt-based sauce, a Najdi staple.
Where to try: Aseeb Najd, Maiz, Suhail
Price: About SAR 30–80 (~$8–21)
Saleeg
Creamy white rice cooked in milk and broth, served with chicken.
Where to try: Takya, Maiz, Aseeb Najd
Price: About SAR 40–100 (~$11–27)
Madfoon
Meat buried and slow-cooked with rice, popular in the Hijaz and Najd.
Where to try: Al Romansiah, Dr. Kabsa
Price: About SAR 45–100 (~$12–27)
Arabic coffee with dates
Lightly roasted cardamom coffee served in small cups with Sukkari or Ajwa dates; the first gesture of hospitality.
Where to try: Souq Al Zal, Bujairi Terrace cafes, any Saudi restaurant
Price: About SAR 10–40 (~$2.7–11)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
French
Specialty Coffee
African
Indian
Japanese
Lebanese
Modern Saudi
Persian Kebab
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Al Baik broasted chicken
Saudi fast-food chain famous for crispy chicken; meals are reported from about SAR 17 (~$4.5) for four pieces to SAR 33 (~$8.8) for eight pieces.
Find it at: Several branches across Riyadh, including Makkah Road and Al Kharj Road
Kudu sandwiches and breakfast
Saudi chain founded in Riyadh in 1988 serving sandwiches and breakfast for a few riyals.
Find it at: Branches citywide
Fuul, kebdah and shakshuka breakfast
Early-morning breakfast plates served from 05:00 at specialist breakfast restaurants.
Find it at: Tameesa, Al Yasmin
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Souq Al Zal
Old Riyadh market near Masmak Fortress with dates, spices, incense, oud and brass coffee pots; a good place to taste dates and buy Saudi coffee.
Hours: Daily 09:00–12:00 and 16:00–22:00
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Alcohol is prohibited across Saudi Arabia, so no restaurant serves it; mocktails, laban and fresh juices are the norm.
Some restaurants pause service for 20–30 minutes at prayer times; mall restaurants mostly stay open.
Thursday and Friday evenings are the busiest; reserve fine-dining tables ahead through the restaurant line or app.
Modern restaurants admit women and men travelling alone; traditional venues may have a family section.
During Ramadan most restaurants open only after sunset (iftar), and eating or drinking in public by day is not permitted.
A 15 percent VAT is included in menu prices; tipping of about 10 percent is customary where no service charge is added.
Food-delivery apps such as HungerStation and Jahez are widely used and work for solo travellers in hotels.
- Vegetarian
- Easy at Levantine and Indian restaurants through mezze, falafel and vegetable curries; Saudi rice dishes are normally meat-based.
- Vegan
- Possible at Levantine places and cafes; ghee and yoghurt are common, so ingredients should be checked when ordering.
- Halal
- All meat is halal; pork and alcohol are not sold anywhere in Saudi Arabia.
- Gluten free
- Grilled meats, rice dishes and salads are the safest orders.
- Allergies
- Nuts, sesame and dairy are common in date sweets and Arabic desserts; allergies should be stated clearly when ordering.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | About SAR 15–50 (~$4–13) per meal | Al Baik and Kudu meals, breakfast plates at Tameesa, shawarma and specialty coffee. |
| Mid-range | About SAR 60–150 (~$16–40) per meal | Najdi sit-down meals at Najd Village, Al Romansiah, Dr. Kabsa and Takya. |
| Upscale | About SAR 250–500 (~$67–133) per meal | Fine dining at Bujairi Terrace, VIA Riyadh and KAFD, such as Cafe Boulud, Gymkhana, Cipriani and Chotto Matte. |