Home › Food tours › Riyadh
Food tours in Riyadh: what to eat and which tour to book
Riyadh sits in Najd, the central plateau of Arabia, and its traditional food is desert-farm food: wheat, dates, rice, lamb and camel, laban (buttermilk), and Arabic coffee with cardamom. The Najdi classics are jareesh (cracked wheat cooked with yoghurt and meat, named the national dish in 2023), margoog and qursan (wheat-dough dishes in meat and vegetable stew), and kabsa, the spiced rice and meat dish served on large platters across the kingdom. Day to day, the city also eats a huge amount of Yemeni mandi, Levantine shawarma, Indian and Pakistani food from its large expatriate communities, and mutabbaq stuffed pancakes as a street snack. Eating out is a late, family affair, and many places are busiest after 21:00.
Use this page to know what to order and where, from the old souqs of Dira to Diriyah and the restaurant strips in the north, with rough prices in riyals. The tours shown are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm the price, start time and meeting point on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Riyadh
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kabsa كبسة (kabsa) | Long-grain rice cooked in a spiced stock (cardamom, cinnamon, black lime, cloves, saffron) with lamb, chicken or camel, served on a big shared platter with tomato sauce (daqoos) and salad. | Traditional Saudi restaurants across the city, many with family sections and floor seating; also in most homes on Fridays. | roughly SAR 35–70 (about €8–16) for a chicken portion; lamb platters for sharing SAR 120–300 |
| Jareesh جريش (jareesh) | Crushed wheat slowly cooked with laban or yoghurt, meat or chicken and spices until thick and creamy, topped with fried onions. A Najdi comfort dish, often eaten in Ramadan. | Restaurants specialising in Najdi or traditional Saudi food, especially in central Riyadh and Diriyah. | roughly SAR 20–45 (about €4.50–10) a portion |
| Margoog and qursan مرقوق / قرصان (margoog / qursan) | Two Najdi stews: margoog has thin sheets of wheat dough cooked in a meat and vegetable stew (pumpkin, courgette, tomato); qursan uses thin, crisp bread discs soaked in a similar stew. | Najdi restaurants and traditional Saudi food places; more common in winter. | roughly SAR 30–60 (about €7–14) |
| Mandi مندي (mandi) | A Yemeni dish of rice and very tender lamb or chicken, traditionally cooked in an underground oven so the meat smokes over the rice. Hugely popular in Riyadh. | Yemeni mandi restaurants all over the city, often with private family rooms and floor seating. | roughly SAR 30–60 (about €7–14) for a chicken portion; lamb more |
| Mutabbaq مطبق (mutabbaq) | A square of thin, stretched dough folded around minced meat, egg, leek and spring onion and fried on a griddle. Sweet versions use banana and cheese. | Street stalls and small shops, especially in the evening; also in older areas like Al Batha. | roughly SAR 8–20 (about €2–4.50) |
| Arabic coffee with dates قهوة عربية وتمر (qahwa and tamr) | Lightly roasted coffee boiled with cardamom (and sometimes saffron or cloves), served in small cups without handles, always with dates. Pouring and accepting it is part of hospitality; shake the cup gently when you've had enough. | Offered in homes, hotels and offices; coffee houses and date shops all over the city, which sell dozens of varieties such as sukkari, khalas and ajwa. | coffee often free as hospitality; a box of good dates roughly SAR 30–100 (about €7–23) |
| Shawarma شاورما (shawarma) | Chicken or beef shaved from a vertical spit, wrapped in thin bread with garlic sauce, pickles and fries. The city's favourite late-night snack. | Shawarma shops on almost every commercial street, many open past midnight. | roughly SAR 8–20 (about €2–4.50) a wrap |
| Luqaimat لقيمات (luqaimat) | Small, crisp fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup (dibs) or honey and sesame. Especially popular in Ramadan and winter evenings. | Street stalls, dessert shops and seasonal events. | roughly SAR 10–25 (about €2.30–5.50) a portion |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Dira (Deira) and Souq Al Zal
The old centre near Masmak Fortress and the Justice Palace. Souq Al Zal sells carpets, antiques and incense, and the surrounding streets have traditional restaurants, date shops, spice and coffee sellers and small cafés.
Diriyah and Bujairi Terrace
The restored mud-brick town on the north-west edge of Riyadh, birthplace of the first Saudi state and a UNESCO site (At-Turaif). Bujairi Terrace, facing At-Turaif, has a row of upscale restaurants, including Najdi and Saudi cuisine, cafés and terraces.
Al Batha
A crowded commercial district south of the centre, home to many South Asian, Yemeni, Filipino and African workers, with very cheap Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Yemeni restaurants, bakeries and street snacks.
Olaya and Tahlia Street (Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Road)
The business district's restaurant and café strips, with Saudi, Lebanese, Turkish and international chains, specialty coffee shops and dessert places, busy late into the night.
Riyadh Season zones (Boulevard City and others)
During Riyadh Season, the city's winter entertainment festival, zones such as Boulevard City host large food courts and international restaurants alongside concerts and attractions. Ticketed entry for some zones.
Food tours in Riyadh compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riyadh: Ravioli Cooking Workshop from Scratch – Women's Only | 3 hours | from €914 per group | — | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| Riyadh: Full-Day Riyadh Exploration Tour with Optional Lunch | 8 hours | from €142 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Riyadh: Edge of the World Picnic with Saudi Traditional Food | 7 - 8 hours | from €84 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Riyadh: 2-Day City Tour with Lunch | 2 days | from €391 per person | max 15 | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Riyadh: Food Trail Guided Tour at Qasr Al-Hukm | 4 hours | from €288 per group | private | Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them. | Check dates |
Riyadh: Ravioli Cooking Workshop from Scratch – Women's Only
On GetYourGuide · run by Seyaha
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €914 per group
- Included
- Live cooking session with a chef Tomato bruschetta appetizer Luxurious dessert (tiramisu or chocolate mousse) Refreshing hibiscus and pineapple drink The experience does not include children under the age of 9
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
- Starts
- Beginning of the experiment The meeting took place in the studio, and the participants were received and welcomed. Cooking experience Start by preparing the pasta dough from scratch, choosing the filling, shaping the ravioli, cooking it with the chosen sauce under the supervision of the chef, and finally serving the dishes and enjoying the tasting experience with the rest of the participants. End of experiment The experience concludes and participants bid farewell after a unique and special experience.
Riyadh: Full-Day Riyadh Exploration Tour with Optional Lunch
On GetYourGuide · run by DMC Arabia Tourism LLC
- Length
- 8 hours
- Price
- from €142 per person
- Rating
- 4.2 ★ from 28 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Driver Assistance Entrance to National Museum, Murabba Palace& Masmak Fort Lunch (if option selected) Drinks Gratuities
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Riyadh: Edge of the World Picnic with Saudi Traditional Food
On GetYourGuide · run by Ayedh Tours
- Length
- 7 - 8 hours
- Price
- from €84 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 3 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Transportation in an air‑conditioned 4x4 vehicle Professional English‑speaking guide Visit to Edge of the World (Jebel Fihrayn) Visit to the Bat Cave Short guided hike to the main viewpoint Traditional Saudi desert pi…
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Meeting Point: Exit King Fahd National Library Station on Riyadh Metro. The Gucci store will be directly in front of you. Meet your guide there.
Riyadh: 2-Day City Tour with Lunch
On GetYourGuide · run by Yella Schoff
- Length
- 2 days
- Price
- from €391 per person
- Group size
- max 15
- Included
- Visit to the National Museum of Saudi Arabia Visit to Murabba Palace Walk around Al Masmak Fort Visit to Deira Al Zal Souq Lunch at a local restaurant serving Najdi cuisine Visit Faisaliah Tower, the first skyscraper…
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Riyadh: Food Trail Guided Tour at Qasr Al-Hukm
On GetYourGuide · run by Seyaha
- Length
- 4 hours
- Price
- from €288 per group
- Group size
- private
- Included
- Tour Guide Additional Meals
- Suits
- Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them.
- Starts
- The tour begins with departure to the Qasr Al-Hukm District.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Street food is evening food: shawarma, mutabbaq, luqaimat, grilled corn and falafel, sold from shops and stalls rather than open-air markets. Areas like Al Batha and the old centre have the cheapest options. The summer heat pushes almost everything after dark.
Sit-down meals
Traditional restaurants often have family sections and private rooms with floor seating, where kabsa, mandi or a whole lamb (for groups) is shared from one platter, eaten with the right hand or a spoon. Modern restaurants and cafés in the north, Olaya and Diriyah are international in style. Dinner is late, from around 20:30, and many places stay open past midnight.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes are still uncommon. Food experiences in Riyadh are more often guided visits to souqs and date shops, Arabic coffee and dates ceremonies, and desert camp evenings with a traditional dinner. Check what is served and whether transport is included.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | SAR 60–100, about €14–23 (coffee and pastry, shawarma or mandi lunch, mutabbaq or Indian dinner) |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | SAR 180–300, about €40–70 (café breakfast, Saudi restaurant lunch, sit-down dinner) |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | SAR 500+, about €115+ (dinner at Bujairi Terrace or a luxury hotel restaurant) |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Possible. Indian and Pakistani restaurants are plentiful and have many vegetarian dishes; Levantine places offer hummus, falafel, mutabbal, fattoush and grilled halloumi. Traditional Saudi dishes are meat-based, and rice is often cooked in meat stock.
Halal: All food served in Saudi Arabia is halal by law; pork and alcohol are not sold. Non-alcoholic beers and 'Saudi champagne' (apple juice with sparkling water and fruit) are common substitutes.
Gluten-free: Rice dishes (kabsa, mandi, saleeg), grilled meats and many salads are naturally gluten-free, but jareesh, margoog, qursan, bread, mutabbaq and luqaimat are wheat-based. Awareness is growing in modern restaurants and supermarkets carry gluten-free products; traditional restaurants rarely understand the request.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Unmetered taxis or private drivers quoting high fares to restaurants, souqs or Diriyah. Use ride-hailing apps (Uber and Careem both operate in Riyadh) or the Riyadh Metro where it runs.
- Dates and saffron sold at tourist-inflated prices in souqs, or low-grade saffron sold as premium. Compare prices at a few shops, buy dates from established date shops, and buy saffron from reputable stores with sealed packaging.
- Whole-lamb or platter orders that turn out to be priced per kilo or per person, giving a much higher bill than expected. Ask the total price and portion size before ordering a large platter for a group.
Top tours & activities in Riyadh
Rent a car in Riyadh
Compare rental cars from local and international companies, with free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare car rentals in RiyadhPlan the rest of your Riyadh trip
Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
Can I eat in public during Ramadan?
During Ramadan, restaurants and cafés are generally closed during daylight and open from sunset (iftar) until late at night, with many serving until suhoor before dawn. Eating, drinking or smoking in public during fasting hours is not acceptable and can lead to fines. Hotels may serve guests privately. The evenings are lively, with special Ramadan menus and dishes like jareesh and luqaimat.
Is alcohol available in Riyadh?
Alcohol is banned for the general public in Saudi Arabia and is not served in restaurants, hotels or bars. Restaurants serve fresh juices, mocktails, non-alcoholic beer and Arabic coffee instead. Don't try to bring alcohol into the country; penalties are serious. Check current rules before travel, as policies have been changing for specific groups.
Do I need to tip in Riyadh?
Tipping is not required but is appreciated. About 10% in sit-down restaurants is generous, and many people simply round up or leave a few riyals. Some upscale restaurants add a service charge; check the bill. Delivery drivers and hotel staff appreciate small tips. Prices usually include 15% VAT.
What time do people eat in Riyadh?
Late. Lunch is usually around 13:00–15:00 and dinner from about 20:30 until midnight, later on Thursday and Friday nights and in summer, when the daytime heat keeps people indoors. Many restaurants and cafés stay open past midnight. Friday mornings are quiet; many places open after midday prayers.
Are there rules for women and families in restaurants?
Separate entrances and family sections are no longer required, and mixed seating is now common, especially in modern restaurants and cafés. Some traditional restaurants still have a single men's section and a family section with private booths; families and women usually sit in the family area. Modest dress is expected in public.
How much should I budget for food per day?
Eating at shawarma shops, mandi restaurants and South Asian places, about SAR 60–100 (roughly €14–23) a day is enough. A mix of cafés and sit-down Saudi or Levantine restaurants costs roughly SAR 180–300. Upscale restaurants at Diriyah or in luxury hotels can be SAR 300–600 per person. Specialty coffee often costs SAR 15–25 a cup.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.