Must-Try Foods In AlUla Old Town (Al Ula) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of AlUla Old Town, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

The ancient oasis of AlUla, located in the stunning desert landscape of northwestern Saudi Arabia, is a place rich in history and culture, including its culinary heritage. Traditional AlUlan cuisine has been influenced by the various people who have passed through or settled in the area, from the Nabataeans to the Thamud, Ottomans, and Bedouins. The food culture here is an amalgamation of the spices, ingredients, and cooking techniques from across these cultures, often highlighting local produce like dates, grains, and an array of spices.

As AlUla has begun to open up to the world as a tourist destination, there has been a renaissance in the local culinary scene, with old recipes being revived and new ones being created that maintain the essence of AlUlan tastes while incorporating a modern twist.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in AlUla Old Town

• Mutabbaq (Vegetarian) - A savory stuffed pancake that is often filled with vegetables and spices, making it a hearty vegetarian option.
• Al Harees (Non-veg) - A traditional wheat and meat dish, often made with chicken instead of red meat, seasoned with spices and cooked until creamy.
• Kabsa (Non-veg) - A flavorful rice dish that is typically served with chicken and a variety of spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, and saffron.
• Jareesh (Vegetarian) - A cracked wheat dish that can be prepared in a vegetarian version, mixed with yogurt, vegetables, and aromatic spices.
• Falafel (Vegan) - Deep-fried balls made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices, falafel is a popular vegan street food across the Arab world.
• Hummus (Vegan) - A creamy dip made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, often served with flatbread.
• Tabbouleh (Vegan) - A zesty Levantine salad made primarily of finely chopped parsley, with tomatoes, mint, bulgur, and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Mansaf (Non-veg) - A dish traditionally made with lamb but can also be found made with chicken, served over rice or bulgur and a fermented dried yogurt called jameed.
• Baba Ganoush (Vegan) - A Levantine appetizer of mashed cooked eggplant mixed with tahini, olive oil, and various seasonings.
• Mulukhiyah (Vegetarian) - A leafy vegetable stew that can be made vegetarian, cooking the leaves with garlic and coriander, creating a thick, soup-like consistency.

Top Famous Restaurants in AlUla Old Town

1. AlMakher Cafe

   Location: Al Ula Old Town, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

   Famous Food: Jareesh (Vegetarian)

2. Old Town Market Street Food Stalls

   Location: Al Ula Old Town, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

   Famous Food: Mutabbaq (Vegetarian) and Falafel (Vegan)

3. Winter Park Restaurant

   Location: Al Ula Old Town, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

   Famous Food: Kabsa (Non-veg) and Hummus (Vegan)

4. Suhail Restaurant

   Location: Al Ula Old Town, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

   Famous Food: Baba Ganoush (Vegan) and Mansaf (Non-veg)

5. Alnakheel

   Location: Al Ula Old Town, Al Ula, Saudi Arabia

   Famous Food: Tabbouleh (Vegan) and Al Harees (Non-veg)

Each restaurant offers a unique taste of AlUla's local cuisine, where visitors can indulge in both traditional dishes and innovative offerings that highlight the region's culinary diversity.