Jeddah’s Top Restaurants, Dining In Saudi Arabia

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Restaurant, Italian, $
Authentic hearty Italian cuisine at its best, Piatto is a restaurant chain throughout Saudi Arabia that prides itself on using only the freshest ingredients to cook up authentic, Italian dishes. To give customers the sense of dining in Italy, the restaurant is arranged like a cobbled piazza and the walls are adorned with photographs of Vespas, iconic landmarks, gondolas and Fiats. Arrive with an appetite to enjoy the complementary salad and bread to start, followed by a wood-oven baked goat’s cheese and sundried tomato pizza, homemade wild mushroom fettuccine or a melt-in-the-mouth char-grilled Gorgonzola steak. And it wouldn’t be a true Italian eatery if they didn’t have a gelateria on-site too.

Restaurant, Diner, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, $$
The Bellevue Complex is home to an exquisite selection of internationally inspired restaurants sure to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. The aromas wafting from the Persian bakery taunt guests with the delights that await them in whichever restaurant they choose to dine in. The Amara’s menu changes seasonally to ensure that only the freshest and tastiest ingredients are used. Guests can enjoy the healthy Arabic food whilst looking out over the hypnotic Red Sea. Next door, Ajji serves sushi and other Asian dishes with a unique Bellevue twist, all prepared at the live-cooking station in the centre of the restaurant. The Lumiere completes the public dining set as the newest member of the Bellevue family. It is only open for dinner and the pink and gold luxurious décor makes it the most fairy-tale like of them all.

Restaurant, Chinese, Thai, Malaysian, $$

Serving the usual Chinese, Thai and Malaysian blend of classics, Toki could get overlooked if it wasn’t for its elaborate interior beauty. The ornate pillars, glass-topped tables, exquisite chandeliers and dressed ceilings make Toki an impressive restaurant in which to dine. The large circular tables have spinning centerpieces making sharing dishes easy. Start with dumplings steamed in a traditional Chinese bamboo basket, follow with crispy Peking duck and pancakes, and then finish with beef in black bean sauce, chicken satay and egg fried rice. To drink, the lemon and mint juice is the perfect refresher during those hot summer days.

Restaurant, Middle Eastern, $$
Jeddah locals try to keep the traditional Middle Eastern fare at Al Nakheel for themselves. Dishes include traditional food, barbecued meats and shrimp, and locally caught najel (or Red Sea grouper). Portions are big but staff are happy to wrap up any leftovers for you to take home. In the family area women are allowed to remove their abayas and the atmosphere is much more relaxed than in other traditional restaurants. Slouch on a low-slung sofa with the rippling waves in the background and watch football on the big screen or huddle around a fire-pit on cooler evenings while sampling the shisha.

Restaurant, French, Italian, $$

As Jeddah’s only revolving restaurant, Le Ciel is expensive but worth every penny for its stunning views. Atop Al Suhaili Business Center, the restaurant rotates 360° over a period of 60 minutes, allowing guests to experience the panorama of Jeddah from every angle without having to leave their table. The red and gold décor, candelabra on each table and unique setting make Le Ciel one of Jeddah’s most upmarket romantic restaurants, even the sinks in the bathrooms are gold. The menu is a blend of international cuisines, although French and Italian influence takes center stage, and the steak is said to be the best in the city.

Restaurant, Fusion, $
For a quick, tasty and affordable lunch or dinner 19th Century Burger is an ideal option for travelers and families alike. The certified Angus beef burgers and the restaurant’s special secret sauce draw the crowds so peak times can be busy. The bread buns are baked fresh every day in the restaurant and the burgers come with a choice of crispy fries or tasty wedges. The classic meal combination consists of the 19th Century burger topped with Swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato served with fries; it won’t disappoint.