11 amazing Saudi fast casual restaurants to check out
This is where you want to go for a quick bite…
If you’ve been looking for some Saudi fast-food restaurants to grab a quick bite to eat, these are the local chains and restaurants we recommend you check out.
Herfy
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If you’ve driven around Riyadh for even 15 minutes, you’ll likely have seen multiple Herfy locations all around. Known for its typical beef and chicken burgers, nuggets, and fries, it’s your perfect no-frills spot for a quick, easy, and convenient bite to eat. It has a total of more than 380 restaurants.
Herfy, various locations, Sat to Thu 8.30am to 2.30am, Fri 1pm to 2.30am. @herfyfsc
Kudu
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Kudu is another one Saudi Arabia’s homegrown fast-food chains. The brand was established in 1988 and has since expanded to 316 locations in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Tuck sub sandwiches and tortillas, or go the healthier route and order up one of the fresh salads.
Kudu, various locations, mostly open 24-hours. @kuduksa
Al Baik
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Arguably one of Saudi Arabia’s most famous restaurant chains, Al Baik serves bargain-priced broasts, sandwiches, shawarma, and more that you can dip in tubs of the chain’s delicious garlic sauce. Order the spicy fried chicken, which is injected with a fiery sauce, or go our way and try out the chicken for fish nuggets, or the double baik burgers. You can now even go to the reasonably-prized spot for breakfast too.
AlBaik, various locations, 10am to 2am. @albaik
Jon & Vinnys
The first location out of the United States, Jon & Vinny’s Riyadh is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. The hip and family-friendly restaurant forgoes fancy or fiddly Italian dishes in favour of American-inspired classics like hearty chicken parmigiana, its famous homemade red sauce, and a vast selection of pastas. Walk through the door, and you’ll see an open kitchen and the lofty space being done up in pale white oak interiors with a cosy and minimalist aesthetic. There’s also a glass cabinet near the entrance, displaying a variety of cookies and other Italian desserts, such as bombolini and coconut macaroons. And those little cones of soft serve at the back will be impossible to pass up.
Jon & Vinny’s Riyadh, daily 8am to midnight, The Elite, Al Dabbab Street, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12234. Tel: 9200 18212. @jonandvinnys.ksa
Zaater W Zeit
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Founded in Lebanon back in 1999, this urban eatery is currently operating over 70 0utlets in the Middle East and serves great food fast. Tuck into manakish, shawarma, and more.
Zaater W Zeit, various locations including Tahlia, Maather Center, and more, daily 6am to 1am. @zaatarwzeitksa
Operation Falafel
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Originally from the UAE, Operation Falafel’s pride and joy are its falafels, but that’s not where its specialities end. The brand also caters to meat eaters. Serving up chicken and beef shawarmas spiced up with garlic, pickles, and parsley, and wrapped up in soft, warm pita bread. You can also look forward to salads, sliders, and so much more.
Operation Falafel, various locations including Tahlia, Alia Plaza and more, Sat to Wed 6am to 2am, Thu to Fri 6am to 5.59am. @operationfalafelksa
Barbar
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Hailing from Beirut, this Lebanese street food eatery opened its first Saudi branch on the famed Tahlia Street. Diners will be able to enjoy their manakish, tawouk platters, falafel, shawarma sandwiches, and other signature items. So, come and bite your way through the collection of dishes great for sharing, cocktail juice in hand.
BarBar Restaurant, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12241, daily 8am to 2am. @barbar.ksa
Dave’s Hot Chicken
The wildly popular, Nashville-style hot chicken chain from Los Angeles (LA) that counts rapper Drake and actor Samuel L. Jackson as investors, has been one of the most popular stops in the capital since its opening. Expect crispy fried chicken sliders and tenders with customisable heat levels, plus mac and cheese, slaw and crinkle-cut fries. The chicken is brined and then fried, and ranges in seven spice levels that tick up from ‘no spice’ all the way to ‘reaper’. The latter is so red-hot (the marinade is made of the Carolina Reaper chilli) that it’s only available to daring customers who actually have to sign a waiver.
Dave’s Hot Chicken, Tahlia Street, Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz, Al Olaya, 12241, Sun to Wed 11am to 2am, Thu to Fri 11am to 6am. @daveshotchickengcc
Shawarma House
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Shawarma House is a popular choice for shawarma lovers. The chicken and meat shawarma are equally good in our book, so do what we do and get the mixed plate. If you want to try something different, they also serve a mean falafel sandwich. And now the brand has also ventured into deliciously crispy fried chicken sandwiches, strips, and more.
Shawarma House, various locations, daily 6am to 3am, Tel: 920 016 666. @shawarmahous
Mama Noura
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When it comes to great shawarma in Riyadh, it doesn’t get more classic than Mama Noura’s. A casual, typically crowded joint, Mama Noura has been operating for almost three decades. Its juicy and greasy – in the best possible way – pitas and plates are so popular that there’s often a line, making for a steady turnover that ensures you’ll be getting the freshest meat from the spit, day or night.
Mama Noura, various locations, daily 6am to 2am, Tel: 011 439 9998. @mamanouraksa
Maestro
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Started in 2013, Maestro Pizza became Saudi Arabia’s fastest-growing pizza chain. Taking the country by storm with its flavours like chicken and ranch, alfredo chicken, steak and cheese, and more. For a party, we recommend getting a large piano pizza complete with three flavours and dipping sauces.
Maestro, various locations, 11am to 1am. @maestropizzaksa