Travelling to Saudi as a vegetarian? Worry not, as the country has a wide range of flavourful plant-based options across cities. While Saudi may be known for its meat-based cuisine, vegetarians will find plenty to savour — from fresh dips to hearty stews. Most of these dishes are enjoyed with warm, freshly baked Arabic bread, making every meal satisfying and complete. Here’s a guide to some of the best vegetarian delights you can enjoy across Saudi Arabia.
Mutabbal and Baba Ghanoush
Both dishes celebrate the smoky goodness of roasted eggplant. Mutabbal is a creamy dip mixed with tahini and yoghurt, while Baba Ghanoush is lighter, tangier, and flavoured with lemon, garlic, and olive oil.
Muhammara
This flavourful dip, made from roasted red peppers, walnuts, breadcrumbs, and olive oil, offers a perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy notes.
Medames
A hearty, comforting dish made of slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with garlic, lemon, olive oil, and cumin. It’s often enjoyed with freshly baked good and pickles for a satisfying meal, perfect for breakfast or a light lunch.
Margoog
Margoog is a vegetable stew made with handmade wholewheat dumplings cooked in a rich tomato-based broth. Traditionally prepared with meat, many restaurants happily offer a vegetarian version featuring a medley of seasonal vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and eggplant.
Stuffed Vine Leaves (Warak Enab)
These tender vine leaves are stuffed with herbed rice and spices, then gently cooked to perfection. Slightly tangy and aromatic, they make for a refreshing appetiser or a light snack.
Hummus and Falafel
You’ll also find versions of hummus infused with beetroot, avocado, or spicy peppers. Falafel, another street-food favourite, are crunchy, deep-fried fritters made from chickpeas or fava beans, typically served with tahini or garlic sauce, and often wrapped with fresh pickled vegetables.
Where to Enjoy Vegetarian Food in Saudi
Riyadh: Greens Restaurant (Tahlia Street), Wabi Sabi, Urth Caffé (Al Nakheel), Sharmashiqi Indian Restaurant
Jeddah: Naya (Le Mall), Life with Cacao, Govinda’s (Al Zahra), Leila Min Lebnen
Al Khobar / Dammam: V Love Café (Khobar), Karma Café, Bharat Restaurant
Bonus Tips for Vegetarians
Indian restaurants are widespread and offer plenty of delicious vegetarian meals. Popular chains like PF Chang’s, Cheesecake Factory, Zaatar w Zeit, and Paul have excellent vegetarian selections. Use local food delivery apps like Talabat, Jahez, and HungerStation — they offer filters for vegetarian meals to make your search easier.
To know more, check out www.VisitSaudi.com
