7 Riyadh Restaurants Delhi Foodies Should Bookmark Now

New Delhi — Ever sat in Amar Colony chewing on shawarma and wondered how actual Middle Eastern food hits in its homeland? Well, Riyadh just dropped its ultimate food list — and let’s just say, for Delhi foodies who treat Biryani Blues like a food group, this one’s going to cause serious FOMO. From upscale grill houses to rustic date-laden feasts, the Saudi capital’s best eats are now global food goals. But before you scroll past thinking “what’s in it for me in Sarojini?”, hold that thought.

Why Riyadh’s Food Scene Suddenly Matters in Delhi

Time Out Riyadh just published their edit of must-visit restaurants — and the list is turning heads far beyond the Gulf. Think wood-fired kabsa, slow-roasted lamb shoulder, Arabic mezze platters, and Saudi takes on sushi (yes, that’s a thing). If you thought Riyadh was all business and borderlines, you’d be surprised by its increasingly swanky dining spots. For Delhi residents, especially those partial to Nizamuddin plates and Zakir Nagar kitchens, this is the food crossover we didn’t know we needed.

And it comes at a time when the India–Saudi Arabia corridor is lighting up — direct flights, diplomatic soft power, and yes, food tourism. Over the past year, there’s been a noticeable spike in Delhi-based restaurateurs and chefs flying in to Riyadh for pop-ups and collabs. As one food importer near INA Market said, “We used to ship dates to Dubai, now Riyadh’s asking for Delhi-style biryani masala.”

The Riyadh roundup gives us ideas we can recreate or chase — whether it’s checking out local takes at The Arabica House near Chhatarpur or planning a food-forward holiday that’s less pilgrimage, more palate-expansion.

From Lajpat to Al Masaa – What It Looks Like for Locals

Delhi’s global-savvy Gen Z and young professionals are already in tune. Places like Rajouri Garden’s Hookah joints may have danced around Shisha culture years ago, but the authenticity coming out of Riyadh is inspiring a more layered look toward Middle Eastern cuisine. For students at Jamia Millia Islamia, this food trend feels personal — many have family ties or heritage stories connected to the region.

Office-goers from corporate towers in Gurgaon’s Cyberhub are also catching on. With work trips to Saudi becoming an HR bulletin regular, food spot sharing has become a ritual. “We don’t talk about rides anymore, we compare Riyadh restaurants,” a consultant from Phase III Metro line shared. Then there are Delhi home chefs looking to test fusion menus: hummus-stuffed kachori? It’s happening in DLF Phase 2 kitchens as you read this.

Local vendors, especially those near Nizamuddin or in Old Delhi’s Matia Mahal, say tourists and NRIs ask more sharply now — “Is your mandi like the one in Al Orjouan?” It’s pushing everyone to evolve — which, honestly, is good news for Delhi’s food street economy too.

Delhi’s Own Arab Food Affair Isn’t New

If you’ve ever stood in line at Okhla Vihar’s Biryani corners during Ramadan, you already know — Delhi’s had a soft heart for Middle Eastern food for decades. From the mezze platters served at Karim’s in Noida to shawarma stalls from SDA to Dwarka Mor, we’ve had scattered pockets of Levant-inspired cuisine since the early 2000s.

But Riyadh 2024 is different. It’s not just hummus and kebabs — it’s high-concept dining, architectural storytelling, and reinventions of heritage menus. Think a Saudi version of Bukhara’s Daal or the Qureshi brothers collaborating on spice blends. With Saudis themselves doing food tourism across India — especially Hyderabad and parts of central Delhi — a reverse wave is only natural. Old Delhi residents say this isn’t so new though. “Even in the 90s, we’d get Gulf visitors asking for haleem during Eid,” mentioned an elder near Turkman Gate.

Planning a Food Hop or Mid-East Inspired Night?

Try Riyadh-style kabsa at hotels near Jama Masjid during Iftar season — street vendors tend to recreate trending regional dishes for visiting Gulf tourists.
Bookmark restaurants like Zaitoon and The Arab Street in Noida Sector 18 that are now updating menus to feature more Saudi-specific offerings.
Follow Delhi-based food bloggers who travel to the Middle East — their Insta Stories often feature hidden Riyadh gems that beat the big names.

📍 Spot Check: Check out food stops near Jamia Millia Islamia and Chittaranjan Park (for fusion experiments). Nearest metro stations: Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh, Okhla NSIC. In Noida, Sector 18 Metro drop is closest to new-age Arab dining spots popping up this month.

The Final Word

The question isn’t “why is Riyadh trending for foodies?” — it’s how long will it take Delhi to catch up? Our scene is already rich, but this kind of culinary dialogue pushes boundaries. Are we going to just copy flavours or innovate back? Whether you’re a college kid trying out tahini-laced chhole or a chef in Gurugram sourcing Medjool dates for your winter sides, this is your moment. So, which Middle Eastern restaurant in Delhi do you think is Riyadh-ready?