Restaurants in Saudi Arabia
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Green Island
Spread across the water in the form of little chalets on stilts (complete with glass floor panels that reveal the fish and the water beneath), this is the place to come if you're after a final splurge or a romantic revival. The menu is a fusion of Arab, Asian and Continental cuisines. Try the locally loved rock lobster bisque, or go for the all-out 'seafood platter Green Island'.
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Al-Shawly Corner
This Filipino-run restaurant remains wildly popular with Jeddah's Asian community. Though simple and unpretentious, it's clean, the food is fresh, and the service is fast and efficient. There's also a family section and a few outdoor 'cubicles'. Ask for the 'Budget Meal' (soup, choice of two mains, rice and Coke), which is terrific value.
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Asia Restaurant
A longstanding favourite locally (particularly among Jeddah's expats), the Asia's Thai food is much sought after, particularly the Tom Yum Kum soup and its fish seafood such as deep-fried grouper with tasty chilli sauce. Reserve at weekends - it's packed.
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Najd Village
Serving Saudi food in a Saudi setting (designed like a central-region village), this place is almost unique in the Kingdom. It's the perfect place to sample kasba (meat withrice), or the Najd region speciality, hashi (baby camel). The set menu includes 14 different mains, coffee, dates and even bachoor (incense). Prices are reasonable and it's much loved by locals.
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Mirage Restaurant
Boasting 'the best Chinese chef in the Peninsula', the Mirage certainly attracts a loyal - and royal - following (the King's grandchildren were there when the author visited). The décor - illuminated fish tanks and water channels running down the centre - is, like the food, full of fun and panache. Reservations are essential at the weekend.
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The Globe
Considered one of Riyadh's top-ranking restaurants, the Globe is also one of the most romantic. Cosy, dimly-lit and with spectacular views of town, it's the place to go to gaze over candlelight. The haute cuisine cooking of the Austrian chef includes dishes such as pan-roasted foie gras, and butter-roasted wagu beef.
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Al-Nakheel Restaurant
Styled like a traditional tent (with open sides to let in the sea breezes), this is the place to come for a taste of Jeddah - in the culinary and cultural sense. It's wildly popular locally; even the Jeddah women let their hair down here (literally). The food is great; the fish and seafood is a speciality.
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Ners
Located on the 2nd floor of the Manila Plaza, the Ners is an old fave among Riyadh's Asian community for its freshly-prepared Filipino and Thai food at fabulous prices. It's clean, waiter-served and very friendly. Dishes such as Tom Yum soup or chicken chilli with coconut milk are delicious.
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La Campagne
Though roomy and rambling, the place gets packed - it's rated by some as Riyadh's best Lebanese. The mezze are freshly made and the grills are something of a speciality. In warm weather, head for the lovely covered terrace at the back. Reserve 24 hours in advance; 48 hours at weekends.
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Mama Noura
Large, bright and clean, this Turkish place remains perennially popular among Riyadhis, who come for the succulent shwarma (available in a sandwich or on a plate) or famous felafel (deep-fried balls of chickpea paste with spices). There's no family section, but takeaway is possible.
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Beit al-Hashi
Though located just over 10km north of the centre, this restaurant's worth the trek for its famous speciality, baby camel. The sign's in Arabic only (look for the appropriately camel-coloured sign). It's next to Mama Noura Juice Centre, just west of the Sheraton.
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Fattah Restaurant
Don't be put off by the façade (rustic log cabin meets Santa's grotto), this Yemeni restaurant is a firm local fave; sample the food and you'll soon see why. Try the delicious shish kebabs served with tahini and chilli sauce and freshly baked flatbread
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Al-Baik
A kind of Saudi equivalent of KFC (but considered far superior by its fans) that comes complete with its own secret recipe. Well-heeled young Saudis are said to fly in from Riyadh and back especially for a chicken fillet fix for them and their friends.
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Green Island Café
The perfect place for a drink at sunset or for a morning coffee and cake is the Green Island Café, open to men and women, and one of Jeddah's best-kept secrets. The outdoor tables have great sea views and the food is good albeit a little pricey.
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Al-Thamarat
A popular place for breakfast among well-heeled Saudi families is Al-Thamarat, which is designed like an old-style Jeddah coffeehouse. The traditional Saudi dishes are good, but not the cheapest. It's on Al-Fitaihi St, off Talya St
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Al-Zawaqa
Much loved locally, this Lebanese restaurant serves everything from great grilled chicken and succulent shwarma to chocolate baklava and fresh fruit juices. For something different, try the fried lamb's testicles.
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Restaurant Ful & Hummus
For a filling breakfast of bread and fool , do as the locals do and head here. It lies a couple of doors down from Khayyam Al-Rabie date shop. The sign's in Arabic only - look for the Coca Cola sign.
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Yildizlar
Lavish in both décor and its dining, the Yildizlar (and its Lebanese chefs) are renowned. Dishes range from boneless pigeon with truffles to caviar, fabulous fish dishes and gorgeous grills.
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Spazio 77
Located in the nook of the 'necklace' of the Kingdom Tower, Spazio 77 consists of a coffee shop, brasserieand sushi bar - all with gorgeous views thrown in for free.
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Restaurant Grand Lebanon
Spotless, salubrious and serving delicious Lebanese and Syrian dishes that change daily, this is much loved locally. The mixed grill is something of a speciality.
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Al-Mahmal Centre
For a table with a view, the 7th floor of the Al-Mahmal Centre has several small restaurants serving Turkish, Lebanese and Filipino fast food.
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Al-Falah
Sparkling and central, and with a large seating area, the Al-Falah serves up Arabic, Filipino and Chinese dishes ranging from shwarma to fried shrimp and sweet corn soup. It lies down a side street east off King Abdul Aziz St - take the first left after McDonald's.
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