Flavor with a View: Where the Gastronauts Go
We’ve raved about the foodie culture and richly diverse cuisines to be found across Saudi (and for good reason!), but this one’s for the gourmands always looking for the next gastronomic adventure. Whether it’s a taste of dishes from around Saudi Arabia, fusion twists on the classics, or the juiciest bites from around the world, we’ve got you covered with some of the best homegrown eateries in the Kingdom of Flavor. And vegetarians are most welcome, too!
1. Takya (Diriyah) – Saudi with a difference!
With its earth tones, palm fronds and wicker furniture conjuring the traditional Saudi coffeehouse, Takya, (meaning, “a place to relax,”) may seem a world away. But it’s in the heart of chic Bujairi Terrace, rubbing shoulders with iconic local eateries and Michelin-starred giants. Oh, and the view! The outdoor seating has a majestic view of the complex of palaces at the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage site on the horizon.
In keeping with the cozy vibe, Takya’s dishes are designed to be shared, and the friendly staff are happy to help you choose from the moment they set down your complimentary breadbasket and olives. Favorites include the slow-cooked Lamb Hasawi with nuts and red-grain rice, and the Sayadiya – a tantalizing dish of pan-seared fish on a bed of fluffy, spiced rice and caramelized onions. The vegetarian options are no slouch either, with Takya’s take on Motabbaq – a three-cheese and sun-dried tomato filo pastry – or the mouthwatering Pumpkin Date Salad with spinach, caramelized pecans and black quinoa.
Make sure to book ahead, and you can include a guided tour of the historic At-Turaif district nearby.
2. The Lucky Llama (Jeddah) – So you think you know sushi?
A homegrown brand bringing the best of Nikkei cuisine to the Kingdom, The Lucky Llama is a must-visit. The Nikkei are Peruvians of Japanese origin, and the fusion – as you can imagine! – is a feast for the senses, combining the best of these seafood-loving cuisines on your plate.
How about starting off with a virgin Sake Sour and a Katsu Sando? The latter is a deceptively simple name for mouthwateringly crispy Black Angus beef in truffle butter toast. The salmon, scallop and shrimp nigiris are as delicious as you’d expect, but vegetarians should also beware: the KFC Maki Roll – that’s Korean fried cauliflower, avocado, tanuki and jalapeno – is also as addictive as it is spicy! And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, look no further than the Caramel Flan, guaranteed to be sweeter than your first love.
3. Marble (Riyadh/Dhahran) – For the discerning carnivore
Abdulrahman Alsowailem found his passion for everything to do with meat while studying aviation in the United States. Unable to find the caliber of steak he liked back home, Abdulrahman exchanged his pilot’s cap for a chef’s hat. In just a few years, he turned a pop-up that served four items a few times a week into a culinary institution, going toe-to-toe with established steakhouses.
The menu is still centered around signature beef dishes, like the melt-in-your-mouth smoked brisket, (eight-hour!) slow-cooked ribs, and the Marble Burger, which comes topped with caramelized onions, cheese in a brioche bun. But as they strive to create a farm to table experience, Marble have added more seasonal variations to the menu, like a spiced roast lamb and rice dish for Eid Al Adha (when lamb dishes are customary), or tropically inspired mocktails for the summer.
4. Flour & Firewood (Riyadh) – To brunch or not to brunch
Flour & Firewood (or FNF for short) instantly makes a statement with its dark wood furniture and massive Frida Kahlo mural. You can find fresh sourdough, crusty baguettes, and buttery croissants, but there’s so much more to this place than meets the eye. Alongside pesto pizzas and plates of eggs, beef bacon and hashbrowns, FNF’s menu includes some truly Saudi takes on standard American and Italian fare.
Care for flapjacks with a healthy drizzle of maple syrup? Check. But how about trying them with a tahini and date syrup instead? Crunchy chicken tenders with ranch? You got it, but can we suggest the deep-fried (zero-alcohol) beer-battered fish bites with harissa sweet chili dressing? There’s plenty for vegetarians too, like the luxurious shitake spaghetti, the creamy roasted pepper rigatoni (generously topped with burrata cheese). And perhaps the French toast – involving a thick slice of house brioche topped with syrup, icing sugar and berries – didn’t have to exist, but the world is certainly a tastier place for it!
