Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual diner, these dining experiences promise a fusion of culture and flavours.
AlUla, a sought-after destination for both Saudi locals and international tourists, promises a blend of captivating activities and serene surroundings. Amidst the plethora of planned adventures, culinary exploration awaits from casual spots to fine-dining favourites and several limited-time pop-ups. These are 20 of the best restaurants in AlUla right now.
Ducasse in AlUla
The world-famous chef Alain Ducasse has opened a pop-up restaurant in AlUla. Located adjacent to the ancient heritage site of Jabal Ikmah, the restaurant offers a contemporary take on French food. Ducasse in AlUla effortlessly integrates sustainability with the rich flavours of Saudi Arabia, France, and the broader Middle Eastern region. Ducasse has appointed Afonso Salvação Barreto, one of his talented proteges, as the executive chef of the restaurant. The design blends with the surrounding environment, showcasing a thoughtful architectural integration that pays homage to the region’s natural heritage, offering the most fine dining experience of all the restaurants in AlUla
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.
AlNakheel Cafe
Nestled in Old Town, AlNakheel Cafe beckons with its warm ambience and an enticing menu blending Hijazi and Lebanese flavours. The outdoor seating, set against the backdrop of the AlUla Old Town’s mudbrick charm, offers a cosy spot to savour authentic dishes while soaking in views of the Oasis and distant mountains. The large communal tables are perfect for sharing plates, featuring the signature round bread hot from the clay oven. Among the highlights are the tantalising mixed grills and the crispy muttabaq, boasting sweet or savoury fillings. The cafe also caters to shisha enthusiasts.
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.
Daimumah Restaurant
Situated in the idyllic Daimumah Oasis, Daimumah Restaurant invites guests to dine amidst ancient farmland and palm-scattered landscapes. Positioned near the western entrance of this picturesque oasis, the open-air eatery offers a unique setting for a memorable meal. Guests can unwind on the shaded deck, surrounded by citrus trees, and explore an eclectic menu featuring a fusion of local flavours and international favourites. From shareable starters to memorable mains, topped off with a refreshing selection of palate-cleansing sorbets, Daimumah Restaurant is a wonderful stop to savour diverse and delightful dishes.
GO: Visit www.experiencealula.com for more information.
Entrecôte Café de Paris
Tucked away in AlUla Old Town, the FACT award-winning Entrecote Cafe de Paris brings the charm of Swiss cuisine to AlUla. Its piece de resistance is the legendary Café de Paris secret sauce, crafted by Chef Boubier in 1930, promising a taste of culinary history. What makes Entrecôte distinctive is its commitment to simplicity, offering a single menu formula. This is one of the best restaurants in AlUla for a gastronomic journey, marrying tradition with innovation that has proven popular worldwide.
GO: Visit www.entrecote.me for more information.
Fish Face
Located in the AlJadidah Arts District, Fish Face is ideal for a relaxed refuel between gallery hopping and heritage tours. The menu focuses on build-your-own poke bowls and colourful sushi rolls, layered with premium fish, vibrant vegetables and punchy sauces. Portions are generous yet light, making it a great option on warmer days or after exploring the nearby Old Town.
GO: Follow @fishface.ksa on Instagram for more information.
Heart Of The Oasis
Nestled among two million date palms, the Heart of the Oasis Restaurant in Old Town offers a unique dining experience. Embracing a farm-to-fork concept, this eatery pays homage to the slow food movement, ensuring a delightful journey from local farms to your plate. The menu boasts dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients, celebrating the bounties of AlUla Oasis.
GO: Follow @heartofoasis on Instagram for more information.
JOONTOS
JOONTOS is the signature restaurant at Dar Tantora The House Hotel, offering a marvellous entry into Saudi cuisine, modernising classic dishes with a Spanish touch. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, there is pleasure in beginning the day with a Dates Waffle slathered in syrup, a bowl of masoub made from spiced bread and creamed banana, or a traditional shakshouka. Tradition reigns supreme with Kabsa, Mandi, and fantastic flatbreads topped with pumpkin, minced beef tenderloin or mozzarella and charred tomatoes. By building relationships with local farmers and suppliers, the kitchen can prioritise locally sourced ingredients, and it’s easy to see why the restaurant has received MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recognition.
GO: Follow @joontos_alula on Instagram for more information.
Maraya Social
Perched atop the world’s largest mirrored building, the FACT award-winning Maraya Social, brought to life by acclaimed chef Jason Atherton, offers a fine dining experience like no other. As one of the most lauded restaurants in AlUla, Maraya Social showcases a delightful array of sharing plates and exquisite mocktails, curated with seasonal produce and blending Arabian, British and Mediterranean influences in Atherton’s signature style. Beyond the exceptional cuisine, Maraya Social serves as a multifaceted haven for relaxation, dining, meetings, and socialising, overlooking the rock-strewn canyons of Ashar Valley.
GO: Visit https://marayasocial.com for more information.
OKTO
OKTO at Harrat Viewpoint is one of AlUla’s most spectacular dining spots, perched high above the city with sweeping views over the ancient landscapes. This contemporary Greek restaurant pairs Mediterranean flavours with a dramatic mountaintop setting, making it a favourite for sunset dinners and late-night drinks. Guests can expect elegant plates, fresh ingredients and refined service, all framed by the open-air terrace and starry skies. The drive up the winding road is part of the adventure, rewarding diners with a cinematic panorama.
GO: Follow @okto.sa on Instagram for more information.
Prima Classe
Food and drink thread the railway narrative with restraint at The Chedi Hegra. Prima Classe, set in the historic station, does more than nod to golden-age train travel. A restored, black-and-crimson Locomotive 964 steam engine sits as the dining room’s centrepiece, while sections of original track remain visible beneath glass panels in the floor. Breakfast sets the tone with a cloud-light omelette scented with orange blossom and rolled in pistachio for texture, and the playful “Hegra Crush”, a tartine of camel cheese, banana and peanut butter that works as a salty-sweet jolt before a day’s exploring. By night, the room softens into a bistro that sweeps east and west, tracing a path from the romance of Paris and Venice to the vibrant flavours of Cairo and Tangier.
GO: Visit www.ghmhotels.com for more information.
Saffron
Nestled in Banyan Tree AlUla, Saffron introduces a culinary voyage with its signature Thai flavours. Originally a humble curry house, Saffron has blossomed into an award-winning dining haven, earning its status as the quintessential Thai restaurant of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. With Thai chefs at the helm, the restaurant crafts contemporary Thai cuisine that tantalises taste buds with the essence of lemongrass, coconut milk, and aromatic spices.
GO: Visit www.banyantree.com for more information.
SALT
Foodies, we have some delicious news. SALT has opened at Elephant Rock. The casual concept is best known for its ice cream and brilliant burgers, and the Elephant Rock location includes firm favourites and new additions. SALT started life as a food truck back in 2014 and was launched by Emirati entrepreneur Amal Al Marri and Saudi entrepreneur Deem AlBassam. Rising majestically from the golden desert sands, Elephant Rock, also known as Jabal AlFil, is a 52-meter-tall sandstone formation that resembles a colossal elephant with its trunk buried in the sand.
GO: Follow @findsalt on Instagram for more information.
SASS’ AlUla
The legendary nightspot from Monaco has arrived in the Kingdom. SASS’ AlUla features a fine-dining menu of Mediterranean and South American cuisine. What truly stands out is its theatrical live open-fire cooking, which adds a touch of spectacle to your dining experience. Live DJ sessions, glitzy decor, and the breathtaking backdrop of AlUla’s dramatic desert canyons further enhance the restaurant’s inimitable vibe. As one of the newest restaurants in AlUla, SASS is only open until the middle of March.
GO: Visit www.sevenrooms.com for more information.
Shawerma Habteen
Shawerma Habteen is the place to go when you are craving no-nonsense street food after a day of sightseeing. Popular with locals, it serves generously filled shawarma sandwiches, crisp fries and classic fast-food sides at wallet-friendly prices. Expect juicy meat and warm bread at this casual and family-friendly spot.
GO: Follow @habteen_sa for more information.
Shrimp Nation
Shrimp Nation in AlUla brings a flavour-packed twist to desert dining, where Eastern seafood meets Louisiana Creole. Located in the lively AlJadidah Arts District, this casual spot is all about roll-up-your-sleeves eating, with boiled shrimp, crab, mussels and lobster served with corn and a choice of house sauces. Crispy baskets, dynamite shrimp and loaded seafood mixes make it a hit with groups and families, resulting in one of the most popular restaurants in AlUla
GO: Follow @shrimpnations on Instagram for more information.
Somewhere
The Arabic-meets-Mediterranean restaurant Somewhere has expanded across the Middle East, from Abu Dhabi to AlUla. The restaurant has opened in AlUla’s Oasis Farm and pays homage to flavours from around the world. The menu includes Beetroot Rice, Kale Tabouli Salad, and Wagyu Baos, served in a serene setting amongst palm trees and water features. Plus, there are sweet treats from baklava to layered cakes. As a recent FACT award winner, Somewhere has been heralded as one of the best restaurants in AlUla.
GO: Follow @somewhere on Instagram for more information.
Tama
Located in the Habitas AlUla, Tama, aptly named ‘here and now’ in Aramaic, offers a culinary journey deeply rooted in AlUla’s rich heritage. The menu is a delightful fusion of global and Middle Eastern cuisine, artfully blending local ingredients and spices traded along the historic incense route. Sourcing its ingredients from local farms surrounding AlUla, Tama brings Saudi Arabia’s unique flavours to the forefront. Each dish is a testament to the region’s culinary diversity, making a meal at Tama an exploration of vibrant, authentic flavours.
GO: Visit www.ourhabitas.com for more information.
Tofareya
Tofareya is a love letter to Saudi heritage, served one dish at a time. Set in Old Town, the restaurant specialises in traditional recipes that feel both nostalgic and refined. Expect sharing plates of kabsa perfumed with local orange, red jareesh and slow-cooked meats that echo family gatherings. Executive Chef Abdulrahman Albashiri treats each course as an edible story, drawing inspiration from AlUla’s landscapes, legends and centuries of trade routes. Warm hospitality, heritage-inspired décor and comforting Saudi desserts make Tofareya a must-visit for travellers keen to taste the region’s past and present.
GO: Follow @tofareya on Instagram for more information.
Villa Fayrouz
Villa Fayrouz can already be found in Kuwait and Riyadh and is one of the best restaurants in AlUla. The Lebanese restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the dishes are superb for sharing. The breakfast menu spans appetisers, egg platters and mankousheh. Dishes include Fried Funny Side Up Eggs, Scrambled Eggs with Sujok and Shakshouka. Villa Fayrouz’s lunch and dinner menu spans soups, hot and cold mezze, salads, raw meat, savoury pastries, fatteh, charcoal-grilled dishes, seafood, and desserts. Dishes include Kebab with Raspberry, Lamb Cutlets and Shish Taouk Saffron. Plus, desserts include Ashta with Banana and Honey, Mafroukeh and Rice Pudding.
GO: Follow @villafayrouz.sa on Instagram for more information.
7 Ribs
When you want to unleash your inner carnivore, make a beeline to 7 Ribs in AlUla Old Town. The brand already has fans at its restaurants in Jeddah and Riyadh. The menu covers mouth-wateringly good starters, mains and sides – we’re talking fall-of-the-bone brilliant Brisket Fries, Brisket Tacos and Smoked Chicken Wings. The mains cover smoked meats, grilled meats, BBQ and Wagyu steaks. No meat dish is complete without sauces, and 7 Ribs has a wide selection, including honey, ranch and BBQ.
GO: Follow @7ribs on Instagram for more information.
