Food and eating out are popular entertainment options in Saudi Arabia. People are always on the lookout to try the latest concept restaurant in town or the newest franchise chain. Thanks to Vision 2030’s focus on the opportunities for entertainment, event companies are now organizing and hosting family carnivals, bazars and festivals.
These carnivals are typically held in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, and in wide, open spaces that accommodate large crowds and families. Home-based businesses and commercial vendors sell a variety of things like local produce, personalized gift items, knick-knacks, jewelry, handicrafts and several different types of food.
Another trend that is making its presence felt in Saudi Arabia are food trucks. Although the concept of food trucks is the norm in the US (think the Halal Food Guys) and other countries, there has been an increase in the number of food trucks in carnivals at Saudi Arabia. At the Al-Janadriyah festival last month, for example, food trucks definitely won attention.
We give you a roundup of five festival foods and food truck specialties, so that the next time you’re thinking of a fun, family day at your local bazaar you know what to head for!
Ice-cream rolls: Borrowing the concept from street-food in Thailand, many vendors now offer ice-cream rolls. Milk and flavoring are used on an iced plate to “create” ice-cream, shaped into rolls with a spatula, and served in a cup with assorted toppings — definitely a winner with the kids!
Mutabbaq: Food trucks offer everything from fast-food to regional food, sometimes even preparing the food in front of you, to entertain the hungry with their food theatrics. Vendors sometimes put on a show by flipping the dough, adding meat and cheese, cutting it up, and serving it with a flourish.
Pancake creations: Funnel cakes and cotton candy are synonymous with carnivals in the US, but prepare to be wooed by different pancake creations in Saudi Arabia. Waffles are served on a stick, with a generous heaping of chocolate sauce and sprinkles. There are also tiny pancakes with caramel sauce and even cute, little panda pancakes!
Luqaimat: This Ramadan classic is a perfect snack for the cold weather. Soft, fluffy balls of dough are deep-fried and served with the traditional sugar syrup, or date and chocolate sauce. Served right out of the pan, this warm delight is a perfect accompaniment to a cup of karak chai or gahwa.
Chai Karak: Ditch your regular cup of coffee for a cup of authentic, milky, aromatic and refreshing chai karak. The chai karak is a popular attraction at festivals, especially during the cooler seasons, and you may have to brave long queues to get your hands on a cup of chai karak.
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Food trucks: Concept of mobile street vendors comes to Saudi Arabia
Food trucks: Concept of mobile street vendors comes to Saudi Arabia
Where We Are Going Today: Asalet Beirut in Jeddah
or those craving authentic Lebanese flavors, Asalet Beirut in Jeddah offers a wide array of traditional pizzas, manaqeesh and pastries, all baked fresh to order.
The restaurant is known for its simple yet charming setup, catering to locals and visitors. The interior is styled on a homely Lebanese bakery, creating a cozy atmosphere.
One of the highlights of the menu is meat manaqeesh, a dish that has earned high praise for its rich flavor and perfectly baked crust. The meat is seasoned to perfection, blending Lebanese spices with a tender texture that melts in your mouth.
The menu is extensive, offering everything from zaatar and cheese manaqeesh to classic pizzas. While the variety is impressive, some items, such as the labnah manaqeesh, tend to get soggy if not eaten immediately. This makes eating in the car the best way to enjoy the food at its freshest and most flavorful.
The pricing is good with options catering to different budgets, making it a go-to place for quick bites or family meals.
While the food stands out in terms of flavor and variety, the main drawback is the occasional inconsistency in texture if some items sit for too long. However, the vibrant flavors and authentic preparation more than make up for it, especially for those who enjoy freshly baked goods.
Whether you are a fan of Lebanese cuisine or looking to try something new, Asalet Beirut is a great choice for flavorful, budget-friendly meals.
For more information, check their Instagram @asaltbyrut.
Zuma Riyadh ‘feels like a homecoming,’ says Azumi Group CEO
DUBAI: Born in London, coveted Japanese restaurant Zuma opened its doors in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District mere weeks ago, with Azumi Group CEO Sven Koch telling Arab News that Saudi Arabia’s capital city was chosen “because of its cultural importance to the Kingdom.”
With 15 locations across the world, this marks Zuma’s first outpost in the Kingdom — but Saudi foodies are familiar with the luxury brand, Koch said.
“Since its inception in London in 2002, guests from Saudi Arabia have been one of the most loyal Zuma demographics from around the world. Bringing the Zuma experience to the Kingdom feels like a homecoming,” he said.
With interactive sushi and robata counters offering a front-row view of the artistry and precision of Zuma’s chefs, the Izakaya-style restaurant serves traditional Japanese dishes with a modern twist.
There are a few Riyadh-exclusive items on the menu. The Ajwa Date and Miso Toffee Cake dessert comes with ginger crumble, poached pears, and sweet corn mochi ice cream.
It is “a creation that combines the essence of the region’s flavors with Zuma’s renowned techniques,” Koch said.
Koch described Zuma Riyadh as a space that blends Middle Eastern influences and classic Japanese designs.
“Designed by renowned architect Noriyoshi Muramatsu, the space is a blend of Middle Eastern influences and Japanese design, creating an ambiance that is both locally inspired and globally sophisticated,” he explained.
Zuma’s launch in Riyadh was inspired by the cultural and economic transformations that the Kingdom has been undergoing over the past few years, especially in the food and beverage sector.
In 2025, Riyadh will have several new glittering international restaurants including Latin hotspot Amazonico, Japanese-Peruvian eatery Chotto Matte and Italian dessert cafe Cipriani Dolci.
“This transformation has focused on fostering a more vibrant lifestyle, creating a bigger demand for world-class dining and flavors … Zuma Riyadh’s debut in the Kingdom is a testament to the growing demand for exceptional dining experiences while also catering to a clientele that values both tradition and innovation,” said Koch.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Mamola’ dessert shop
- If you are looking for a comforting dessert during the winter season, Mamola’s exclusive winter menu offers large, hot cakes perfect for kashta or desert camping
This Saudi Arabia brand offers a variety of traditional, buttery sweets with a unique twist.
As the name Mamola suggests, the dessert chain with branches across the Kingdom takes inspiration from the iconic mamoul cookie, which is known for being a staple on every Eid Al-Fitr table.
The round mamoul is stuffed with dates, walnuts, pistachios or nuts, and the outer layer is sprinkled with crushed white sugar.
Mamola has different variations of the mamoul cookie: cream, sesame, kunafa, and many more.
My personal favorite is the kunafa mamoul. Resembling kunafa, a traditional Arab dessert, the cookie is filled with cream instead of dates and topped with crispy shredded filo dough.
But Mamola has much more than cookies. From cakes to ice cream, the diverse menu will leave you feeling spoiled for choice.
If you are looking for a comforting dessert during the winter season, Mamola’s exclusive winter menu offers large, hot cakes perfect for kashta or desert camping.
My personal favorite is the cinnamon date cake, served in a heated dish. After the first bite, I was blown away. It was soft and sweet, with salted caramel and pecans balancing its toffee flavor perfectly.
What makes Mamola stand out is their attention to detail in their curated boxes, which come in various sizes, making them the perfect gifts for loved ones.
Pic Group president David Sinapian discusses French brand’s expansion and Gulf success
DUBAI: With three Michelin stars at their flagship restaurant Maison Pic in Valence, France, the president of Pic Group, David Sinapian, and his wife and celebrated chef Anne-Sophie Pic are on a mission to take French culinary genius to the world.
After entering a long-term partnership with French luxury label Dior to open Dior Cafes around the world — starting with two outposts in Japan in December 2024 — Pic and Sinapian have their sights set on the Gulf.
“We have almost reached the potential for development of the catering business in Saudi Arabia, and I believe that the future holds great opportunities for the industry in the Kingdom. It is a no-brainer,” Sinapian told Arab News en Francais recently, three years after the Pic Group hosted a pop-up restaurant in AlUla.
Meanwhile, in the UAE, the group opened La Dame de Pic Dubai at the city’s swanky One&Only Zaabeel hotel in 2024, nabbing a Michelin star in the 2024 guide and being voted the World’s Best New Restaurant 2024 at the fifth annual World Culinary Awards.
“I have witnessed an evolution at a pace that continues to surprise me ... and that’s what characterizes business in the Emirates,” Sinapian said of the famously fast-paced food and beverage industry in the city.
“You can be in fashion one moment and quickly out of it the next, because the market changes, and if you can’t adapt, you’re left behind,” he added.
The Pic Group’s international accolades are the latest in a long list of culinary nods for a brand founded in the late 19th century.
The precursor to Maison Pic, Cafe-Restaurant du Pin opened its rather more humble doors in 1889, with Pic’s great grandmother cooking ingredients hunted and farmed by her husband. Pic’s grandfather, Andre, then took over the family restaurant and earned it three Michelin stars in 1934.
Over the decades, Maison Pic lost and gained stars with the most recent blow being dealt after Pic’s father Jacques died in 1992 — the restaurant lost its third star in 1995 before Sophie-Anne returned in 1997 to head up the kitchen. After 10 years of creating memorable dishes in the restaurant, she gained back the third star in 2007.
“We began to build an ecosystem together and expand our business by opening other restaurants,” Sinapian told Arab News of the period that followed.
In 2009, they cut the ribbon on Pic au Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“I was in charge of building the project in terms of identity, design and team building, while Anne-Sophie began to create a new menu using Swiss products,” Sinapian said, explaining their working relationship.
The Pic name then expanded its activity internationally, with openings in Paris, London, Singapore, Megeve, Hong Kong, and Dubai alongside its projects in Japan.
A new Monsieur Dior restaurant opening in Osaka, Japan, in 2025, will be orchestrated by the French chef.
“Anne-Sophie has had an affinity for Japan for a very long time, and so have I. It’s the love she has for tea, the products, and Japanese refinement,” Sinapian said.
Where We Are Going Today: Just Taco
If you are craving bold flavors and authentic Mexican street food, Just Taco in Riyadh is worth a visit. Known for its lively atmosphere and delicious menu, the restaurant combines casual dining with a fun twist.
The menu features flavorful choices such as the taco mix platter, offering a variety of tacos packed with authentic Mexican spices. For sharing, the loaded nachos are a hit, with crispy tortilla chips topped with gooey cheese, jalapenos and fresh pico de gallo.
Another standout is the cheesy fries with pulled beef, a hearty dish that combines creamy, savory and crunchy elements.
The food impresses with its freshness and quality, ensuring every bite is flavorful. With reasonable prices, it is an excellent spot to experience authentic Mexican cuisine.
Just Taco has quickly become a favorite for taco enthusiasts in Riyadh, offering consistent quality and memorable flavors.
The cozy ambiance, highlighted by vibrant green and yellow decor, creates a cheerful and welcoming vibe. Friendly staff further enhance the experience, making it a great choice for casual meals with friends or family.
One potential drawback is the shared-gender restroom, which may not suit everyone. However, the excellent food and lively atmosphere more than compensate for this.
For more information, visit their Instagram: @justtaco.sa.
