AlUla's Food Scene Moves Beyond the Tourist Trail
AlUla may be known for its sandstone tombs and dramatic desert canyons, but the Saudi town is also quietly becoming a culinary destination. From open-air meals under date palms to Michelin-starred takes on muttabaq, AlUla's food scene offers a grounded alternative to the tourist-heavy offerings seen elsewhere.
Rather than rely on spectacle, most restaurants in AlUla focus on ecology and locality. Many source ingredients from surrounding farms, private gardens, and the palm-lined oasis itself. The dining experience often takes place in restored mudbrick homes, heritage courtyards, or resorts designed to reflect the region's architecture. The result is a dining scene shaped by memory, landscape, and intention. Here are some standout spots to check out during your next AlUla trip... Harrat – Banyan Tree
Located inside the five-star Banyan Tree resort, Harrat offers seafood, Middle Eastern mezze, pasta, and grilled dishes in a dining room lined with handmade rugs and locally crafted ceramics. It currently holds the top spot for restaurants in AlUla on TripAdvisor. Suhail – Old Town
Set in a restored mudbrick structure, Suhail serves modern Saudi cuisine with both indoor and open-air seating. Its simple, elegant design offers a calm break after some exploring - a soft landing after a day in the dunes. AlNakheel Café – Old Town
Known for its clay-oven bread and views of the surrounding mountains, AlNakheel Café specialises in grilled meats and traditional muttabaq served in generous sharing portions. Heart of the Oasis
Surrounded by palms and historic dwellings, this restaurant offers fire-cooked dishes, slow-roasted meats, and fusion options in a courtyard setting, with an open kitchen adding to the experience. Tama – Habitas AlUla
Located at Habitas resort, Tama builds its menu around ingredients from nearby farms. Dishes include moringa ribeye, vegan bowls, sticky date cake, and regional staples like Umm Ali. Tawlet Fayza – Old Town
Named after a local woman known for her hospitality, Tawlet Fayza serves Middle Eastern dishes made with produce sourced from local gardens and farms. Both the setting and menu are designed to evoke home cooking. Joontos – Dar Tantora
At this boutique heritage hotel, Michelin-starred chef Jaume Puigdengolas creates a refined menu of Saudi-inspired cuisine served from breakfast through dinner in AlUla's Old Town.
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AlUla's evolving dining scene offers more than scenic backdrops and heritage sites, blending local produce with world-class hospitality across Old Town courtyards, eco-resorts, and desert hotels. AlUla may be known for its sandstone tombs and dramatic desert canyons, but the Saudi town is also quietly becoming a culinary destination. From open-air meals under date palms to Michelin-starred takes on muttabaq, AlUla's food scene offers a grounded alternative to the tourist-heavy offerings seen elsewhere. Rather than rely on spectacle, most restaurants in AlUla focus on ecology and locality. Many source ingredients from surrounding farms, private gardens, and the palm-lined oasis itself. The dining experience often takes place in restored mudbrick homes, heritage courtyards, or resorts designed to reflect the region's architecture. The result is a dining scene shaped by memory, landscape, and intention. Here are some standout spots to check out during your next AlUla trip... Harrat – Banyan Tree Located inside the five-star Banyan Tree resort, Harrat offers seafood, Middle Eastern mezze, pasta, and grilled dishes in a dining room lined with handmade rugs and locally crafted ceramics. It currently holds the top spot for restaurants in AlUla on TripAdvisor. Suhail – Old Town Set in a restored mudbrick structure, Suhail serves modern Saudi cuisine with both indoor and open-air seating. Its simple, elegant design offers a calm break after some exploring - a soft landing after a day in the dunes. AlNakheel Café – Old Town Known for its clay-oven bread and views of the surrounding mountains, AlNakheel Café specialises in grilled meats and traditional muttabaq served in generous sharing portions. Heart of the Oasis Surrounded by palms and historic dwellings, this restaurant offers fire-cooked dishes, slow-roasted meats, and fusion options in a courtyard setting, with an open kitchen adding to the experience. Tama – Habitas AlUla Located at Habitas resort, Tama builds its menu around ingredients from nearby farms. Dishes include moringa ribeye, vegan bowls, sticky date cake, and regional staples like Umm Ali. Tawlet Fayza – Old Town Named after a local woman known for her hospitality, Tawlet Fayza serves Middle Eastern dishes made with produce sourced from local gardens and farms. Both the setting and menu are designed to evoke home cooking. Joontos – Dar Tantora At this boutique heritage hotel, Michelin-starred chef Jaume Puigdengolas creates a refined menu of Saudi-inspired cuisine served from breakfast through dinner in AlUla's Old Town.
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