Top 6 Popular Dishes You Must Try in Riyadh

Kabsa. There is no way better to answer what is for lunch than a Kabsa. It’s almost everyday lunch for Saudi people. It is a rice dish that can be cooked with chicken or meat, it’s not only exclusive for Saudis but all Arab countries share this passion towards Kabsa. Each side of the country has its own way of preparing it, and depending on the way, the taste will differ too. Here are some of the best restaurants serving it.

Al Hamra Bukhari Restaurant

Address: Al Aqiq, Riyadh

https://goo.gl/maps/pv6JhU7pHzBxUU2d9

 

 

 

 

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Al Saddah Restaurants

Address: Al Quds, Riyadh

https://goo.gl/maps/At4XDPTFZdrxU8DS9

 

 

 

 

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Mutabbaq

 The name mutabbaq in Arabic means "folded". This is a common dish in Saudi Arabia, although it might not be originally from here. It is pan-fried bread or crepes stuffed with beaten eggs, chopped leeks, chives, or green onion and minced meat, then folded and cut to squares. Here are some places that serves very delicious Mutabbaq in different varieties.

Ghawar Restaurant

Address: Al Malaz, Riyadh

https://goo.gl/maps/gkx8LF9Fj9GJuhSH8

AlGarmoshi Restaurant

Address: Almasiaf, Riyadh

https://goo.gl/maps/AyLEtdHX7UjU6Tgw5

Shawarma

Shawarma is a popular dish around Middle East, especially in Saudi. It consists of meat or chicken cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly-turning vertical rotisserie or spit. Then, thin slices are shaved off the cooked surface and stuffed in Pita bread. Sauces are what makes it so special, be it garlic sauce with chicken, or tahini sauce for meat. You can try this dish at one of the following restaurants.

Mama Nourah (Chicken Shawarma)

Address: Ar Rahmaniyyah, Riyadh

https://goo.gl/maps/U4wEd4rz96PEeT4F8

 

 

 

 

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Jalelah (Chicken Shawarma)

Address: Ar Rawdah, Riyadh

https://goo.gl/maps/uiqkssgdhGMZMejA6

 

 

 

 

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Usta Asim (Meat Shawarma)

Address Al Malqa, Riyadh

https://g.page/usta_asim_?share

 

 

 

 

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Falafel and Sabah

Falafel is considered one of the top to-go foods for Saudis. It is a deep-fried ball made from ground chickpeas, broad beans, or both. It’s basically a sandwich served in pita bread like a bucket. Yet, Saudis likes it to be wrapped in a saj-bread called (sabah), usually with boiled eggs, fried cauliflowers, fried eggplant, slices of tomato and minced parsley with tahini sauce (a lot of it). Here are some restaurants where you can have the best falafel in town.

Dam Felafel

Address: Hittin, Riyadh

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Abu Jbara

Address: An Nafal, Riyadh

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Maamul & Kleiga

Maamul is a filled butter cookie, with a date or nots filling. It’s a popular sweet in Saudi, yet it is rarely freshly made. Kleiga is similar in the concept, but it is mainly filled with date or date molasses mixed with some spices like cardamom, cinnamon and sometimes rose water, and glazed with egg wash, which may sometimes be scented and colored with saffron. Both are usually served with Saudi coffee. Here is the best spot where you can get both of them freshly baked.

Mamola

Address: At Taawun, Riyadh

https://goo.gl/maps/8TQjwy2hfPcibwVR8

 

 

 

 

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Kebdah (Liver) Sandwich

Craving for a good nurturing morning or night meal, a liver dish is your choice. It is one of the main street foods in Riyadh. People can’t get enough of it. It’s simply a liver fried with minced onion, bell peppers and tomato, flavored with Saudi spices and then stuffed in a sandwich with cream cheese. Here is one of top buffets in town that serves it the best.

Fahd buffet

Address: Ar Rawdah, Riyadh

https://goo.gl/maps/jQXGiodgLqoiCBzw9