Best Restaurants in AlUla 2025 — Where to Eat & Relax in Your Saudi Arabia Itinerary

📍 Where are the main dining areas in AlUla?

Practically speaking, you can think of restaurants in AlUla as grouped into three main “zones” that help with planning:

1) Restaurants in AlUla Old Town AlUla

• Atmospheric, narrow lanes with beautiful lighting in the evening.
• Mixed selection of Saudi food, grills, casual dishes and desserts.
• Perfect if you want a light walk + dinner in the same compact area.

2) Resort restaurants (Habitas, Shaden & others)

• More “premium” experience with higher prices on average.
• Views over the valley or rock formations, especially around sunset.
• Great for a romantic dinner or a calm evening after a full-day tour.

3) Everyday city Restaurants in AlUla and local spots

• More practical than “instagrammable” – think quick, filling meals.
• Useful for lunch before or after a tour, or if you’re staying in town.
• Often the easiest option when travelling with kids who just need to eat.

🍽️ What kind of food can you expect in AlUla?

To set expectations before you go, here’s a quick overview of the most common food types you’ll come across:

• Saudi & Gulf dishes: kabsa, madghoot, jareesh, and different rice dishes.
• Arab grills: kebab, shish tawook, mixed grills with simple sides.
• International / Western: burgers, pizza, pasta, and some “fusion” menus in resorts.
• Cafés & desserts: coffee, cakes, and cold drinks – ideal after a hot day out.

It’s always a good idea to check Google Maps reviews before you go. Some places in AlUla are seasonal or change management faster than in big cities, so recent photos and comments help a lot.

⭐ Best restaurants in AlUla for families (big picture)

This is not meant to be a list of every single restaurant, but a “mental map” of the kinds of places most travellers look for:

Restaurants with views and atmosphere

• Tama at Habitas: upscale experience, creative international menu with Middle Eastern touches – ideal for a special dinner.
• Shaden Resort restaurant: convenient for resort guests or those who want a varied buffet-style option.
• Garden-style cafés in the oasis: some venues offer tables among palm trees and greenery for a slower, more relaxed evening.

Practical choices for families & kids

• Casual burger and pizza places in town or near Old Town AlUla.
• Simple local spots where you can eat quickly after Elephant Rock or Hegra.
• Dessert and ice-cream places to reward the kids at the end of the day.

For resort restaurants, it’s worth contacting them in advance to check availability. Some give priority to in-house guests or may require reservations during busy periods.

🧩 How to plug AlUla restaurants into your itinerary

If you’re staying in AlUla for 2–3 nights – which is what we usually suggest in the AlUla Travel Guide – you can roughly organise meals like this:

• After visiting Hegra (Madaen Saleh): choose a calm sit-down meal in a resort or a quiet restaurant.
• After Elephant Rock: a snack or coffee is often enough; save your main dinner for Old Town AlUla.
• Old Town night: make it a full evening of strolling, shopping and dinner in one of the Old Town restaurants.

The main idea is to treat dinner as part of the experience, not just a “logistics stop”: Day tour → hotel break → planned dinner in a nice setting.

🌙 Sample evening in AlUla: walk + dinner

Here’s a sample you can tweak based on your family and the season:

Late afternoon — wind-down or short tour

• Return from a Hegra or Elephant Rock tour, or simply relax at your hotel/resort.
• Showers, short rest, and getting everyone ready for the evening.

Sunset — Old Town AlUla walk

• Head to Old Town AlUla.
• Stroll through the lanes, browse souvenir shops and small boutiques.

Evening — main dinner

• Have your main dinner in a restaurant you selected in advance (Saudi, Arab grills or international).
• Finish with dessert or a hot drink before heading back to the hotel.

💡 Tips before choosing a restaurant in AlUla

• Book ahead in high season: weekends and major events get busy, especially in resorts and popular Old Town venues.
• Check driving distance: some resort restaurants are a short drive away from Old Town or from where you’re staying.
• Think about kids: ask if there’s a kids’ menu or simple options before you commit to a booking.
• Budget expectations: resort restaurants are usually more expensive than local spots in town or Old Town.
• Dress for comfort: you might be coming directly from a tour – comfortable, modest clothing works best.

❓ FAQ about restaurants in AlUla

Do I need to book restaurants in AlUla in advance?

During peak season and on weekends, it’s strongly recommended to book in advance, especially for resort restaurants and the more famous venues in Old Town AlUla. Simpler local spots in town are usually fine without a reservation.

Are restaurants in AlUla family-friendly?

Yes, most restaurants in AlUla are used to families with children. Just try to choose places with comfortable seating and a bit of space so kids don’t feel trapped at the table, and avoid the most crowded hours if possible.

What daily food budget should I plan for AlUla?

It depends on your style of travel, but as a rough guide, you might plan around 150–250 SAR per day for a family if you mix mid-range options and keep resort restaurants for one or two special nights. Costs go up if you mainly eat at premium resort venues.