Al Saudi

Al Saudi is a Saudi restaurant in the As Sulimaniyah district of Riyadh, listed at Al Amariyah, serving the traditional rice-and-meat dishes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The menu centres on mandi, a fragrant rice dish traditionally cooked with meat over smoke; mathbi, meat grilled on hot stones or in a tray and served over rice; and madfoun, a slow-cooked pot dish. The restaurant is also known for hashi camel kabsa, a version of the national rice dish made with young camel meat, which gives visitors an opportunity to try a regional specialty rarely found in Western menus. This is traditional home-style cooking, so there is no chef lineage or Michelin context to speak of; the focus is hearty portions, well-seasoned rice and meat cooked until tender. Dining rooms follow the usual Saudi pattern, with a separate family section and often traditional seating where groups eat from shared platters. The atmosphere is casual, noisy at peak hours and geared towards families and groups of friends. Dress is informal but modest. Alcohol is not served, so drinks are typically Arabic coffee, tea, laban and soft drinks. Reservations are generally not required and walk-ins are accepted, though groups may wish to telephone ahead on +966 9200 09515 for busy Thursday and Friday evenings. Prices are moderate, at roughly SAR 45 to 90 per person, and platters are designed for sharing, which makes the cost per person lower for groups. The listed hours are daily from 11:00 to midnight, but visitors should verify these as they may shift around prayer times and holidays. For travellers exploring the central districts of Riyadh, the restaurant is a practical stop for a filling local meal, and the camel kabsa in particular offers a distinctive taste of Najdi and Arabian desert cooking at an accessible price.