When you're out exploring the wonders of Riyadh, the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, sampling as many unique and exciting cuisines is one part of the travel experience that you simply cannot miss. After all, tasting dishes that showcase a country's staple ingredients and highlight their specific preparation methods can teach you so much about the culture and traditions of that corner of the globe.
You'll certainly be spoilt for choice when you check out the variety of restaurants in Riyadh. For sure, you'll get to try Saudi Arabian favourites like the popular kabsa (the national dish consisting of rice, meat and vegetables), kebabs, falafel and hummus. For international guests staying in five-star hotels in Riyadh, it's easy to find familiar fare as well, what with the wide range of European cafes, Asian restaurants, Italian pizza places and American steakhouses all over the city, to mention a few.
If you're craving something more specific, such as Pakistani cuisine, there's no need to look elsewhere. Riyadh offers excellent dining establishments that serve the truly flavourful (and colourful!) Pakistani dishes that masterfully blend the regional cooking traditions of South Asia and Western and Central Asia.
Get ready to have your fill of beautifully seasoned rice and wheat dishes as well as sumptuous beef, lamb, fish and chicken preparations. In Pakistani cuisine, spices like brown and green cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper and mace bring life to most dishes, as well as chili powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric and garam masala.
Need recommendations for your next meal out at the best Pakistani restaurants in Riyadh? Some of the most well-loved Pakistani menu items include pakoras (crispy fried fritters) and gol gappa (fried round shells of semolina filled with potato, chickpeas, chutney served with a spicy tamarind dip) for snacks and appetisers.
For mains, nihari (slow-cooked lamb shank with bone marrow), paya (goat curry) and haleem (a dish of lentils, barley, wheat and minced meat) are fine choices. For the veggie lovers, options like karela (bitter melon with onions and spices), aloo gobi (cauliflower and potato curry) and lobia daal (black eyed peas curry) are sure to please the palate.
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