Let’s talk about the best BBQ in Riyadh, shall we? If there is one thing that Riyadh does better than everyone else it will be their BBQ.
The city is filled with spots that specialize in BBQ but not everyone can do it the right way.
I am talking about meat that is so tender it falls straight off the bone.
Meat so juicy that you could even cut it with a spoon? Yes, please I want that.
If you are looking for grilled ribs or BBQ platters the city won’t say no to you.
BUT
The options are confusing.
Luckily, I’ve done the tough job (okay, delicious job) of trying out some of the city’s top spots, and I am here to spill the beans or should I say the sauce?
Don’t get too comfy because you are going to get hungry and crave some BBQ in just a few minutes.
Let’s get it started.
1. Sultan Steakhouse
Turkish BBQ is known throughout the world and Sultan Steakhouse has brought it to the streets of Riyadh. Located on Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road, this place is going on your must-try list today.
The first thing I noticed when stepping in was the black polished tiles that give the place a polished feel and those huge windows and glass walls flood the place with natural light.
PERFECT FOR A NICE SUN KISSED SELFIE.
The parking is huge so you are off to a stress-free start even before stepping inside.
The BBQ
The BBQ here is all about bold flavors, perfectly cooked and fresh meat. During my visit, I tried their Lamb Chops and the Beef Asado Ribs with BBQ Sauce (for one), and both delivered in terms of taste and quality.
The lamb seasoning was right on point and had a tender and smokey finish to it.
The house sauce makes all the difference so make sure to ask for it if it’s not served with the Lamb.
The ribs were my favorite of all the items I tried. They have the right amount of sweetness and a slightly charred taste which makes them extremely delicious.
If you are visiting with a group of people then I would recommend trying out the Sultan Kebab Meter and don’t forget about the T-bone steak.
The portion sizes are generous and the food has rich flavors without feeling overwhelming.
The Prices?
Well, they will leave a big hole in your pocket because the average prices here go over SAR 700 for just one person but the premium cuts and BBQ like no other in Riyadh make up for it.
2. Smokey Beards Q
The smoke here is just as thick as the flavors of their delicious BBQ. This is one of the first restaurant in Riyadh to serve American BBQ and they have been doing this since 2018.
The atmosphere here is great and offers multiple dining options. If you are a single person like me (cries in the corner) then the downstairs area is for you but if you are visiting with family then their dedicated upper portion is reserved for you.
With the rustic wooden décor, the place feels like an American classic café and that smell of BBQ will keep you hungry till your meal arrives.
My BBQ Favorites You Can’t-Miss
My favorite part about this restaurant is that they use black Angus beef that’s grain-fed and smoked just at the right temperature. You can easily get lost with the amount of options they offer so let me give you a few must-try dishes:
- Pulled Brisket Sandwich: well, this one is the crowd favorite here. smoked for 12 – 24 hours the brisket is tender, juicy, and quite heavy. Try it with mushroom or cheese sauce and I dare you to finish it in one sitting.
- Plate Short Ribs: They have Russian, American,n and Australian-style ribs and I loved the Russian ones. They have a slight flavor of smoke and a bit of char taste which makes them unique and delicious.
- Brisket Cheese Fries: These crispy fries are buried under a mountain of cheese and brisket. It’s more delicious than it sounds.
How Much To Pay?
If you go for a normal meal I think you will get it done under SAR 200 which is a great value for money considering the taste, quality, and ambiance of the place.
3. 7 Ribs
Looking for a place that sells smokey meat with a hint of a raw vibe? 7 Ribs located at Al Malqa, Riyadh is your next stop.
They also have a branch in The Cube in Ar Rahmaniyyah, accompanied by a few branches in Khobar and Jeddah. You will always have a 7 Ribs restaurant nearby and it’s your sign to try this place out.
The vibe here is worth a few snaps and Instagram posts when I entered the first thing that I noticed was the unfinished floors.
NO, THEY DON’T LOOK BAD!
Instead, it gives this place a unique feel and the shades of grey, black, and brown running through the space create a nice retro look in the dining area.
Don’t focus too much on the open kitchen at the back or you will fight the waiters to bring your food as soon as possible.
Smoke, Grill, and Everything Delicious
This is where things will get more interesting. Unlike like BBQ restaurants they haven’t limited themselves to just steaks. You can find BBQ burgers here too (yup, I was also amazed).
Let me tell you about dishes I loved on my visit here:
- Short Ribs 150 Days: I can say this confidently that these are not the ordinary ribs you tried at your local restaurant. The outer layer has a crisp and kind of black texture which is well seasoned.
When I took the first bite I could feel the tender, juicy, and balanced flavor of the meat with a slight crunch from the outer texture. The smokey aroma will hit you first and following that the taste will surprise you.
- Brisket Tacos: I have tried tacos in multiple Mexican restaurants in Riyadh and this one is kind of a new twist on the traditional ones. This dish wraps smoky brisket in a soft, warm tortilla and finishes it off with crunchy toppings. What I loved the most about this was that each bite blended the taste of brisket, slaw, and the soft tortilla creating a super exciting taste.
- Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich: BBQ sandwiches are always my favorite and this one didn’t disappoint. The steak slices are cooked to bring out their rich flavor and layered with gooey, melted cheese.
4. Garden Barbecue
When I first heard about this restaurant I was a bit hesitant. BBQ in a hotel garden, under the stars, with chefs grilling everything to order?
As someone who has explored hundreds of BBQ restaurants in Riyadh and Saudi Arabia this place definitely stood out not just for the food but for the whole experience.
The vibe here is much different than any BBQ restaurant in Riyadh. There’s this calming vibe with twinkling lights, lush greenery, and a water mist gently cooling the air.
Trust me, that mist is a lifesaver during Riyadh’s summer evenings.
The open kitchens in the garden with live BBQ personalizes the whole experience. It feels like the chefs are cooking just for you.
And did I mention it?
You get an amazing view of the giant Faisaliah Tower, right in front of you. What else can one ask for?
What I Tried and Loved
They haven’t made the menu confusing and you will get BBQ in different protein forms like:
- Beef
- Chicken
- Seafood
- Kebabs
I went for their famous ribeye (can’t go wrong with a classic). When it arrived it had that nice sear from the grill with a crisp texture on the outside and that slight red and tender touch on the inside.
The chef recommended me to pair it with some salad and that was a nice move. The crunch and tanginess balanced out the richness of the beef beautifully.
Next, you guys know I love seafood so I went for some prawns. The prawns arrived with a nice golden texture yet completely juicy with every bite. A quick squeeze of lemon brought out their natural sweetness, and honestly, I could’ve eaten an entire platter of them.
To end the meal I tried some of their Kebabs. There’s a fine line between flavorful and spicy and in my opinion the kebabs were a bit spiced and I had sweat running all over my face.
I did tell them about it and they happily offered me a replacement but I was kind of feeling full already.
5. Smokey Seal
Located in the Nakheel area this restaurant is ideal for a nice dinner with that special person or loved ones. I really love low and slow cooking and this is what this BBQ restaurant is famous for.
I was curious about their food and let’s just say they didn’t disappoint.
The vibe at Smokey Seal is minimalist and upscale. The warm yellow lights create a relaxing mood in the dining area while the outdoor seating offers a breezy, open-air option.
The live mocktail bar immediately caught my attention and added nice entertainment while I waited for my food to arrive.
Their motto, “We smoke it, you eat it,” sets the tone perfectly.
My Favorites
I tried their all-time favorite dishes and started off with their camel meat. I’ll admit, that camel meat isn’t something I eat every day, so I was eager to give it a try.
The slow-smoked cooking process gave it a rich, deep flavor with just the right amount of spices. The texture of the meat was tender and with some fragrant smoked rice, the meal was definitely a good decision.
The next dish I tried was their Smoked Lamb. The lamb meat wasn’t overly soft and had a perfect mix of tender, juicy, and smokie tastes. The seasoning is done with some traditional Arabic spices which makes the dish more unique and tasty.
With all the dishes I tried the smokey rice. It had a slight nutty flavor thanks to the spices they used while preparing the dish. The rice pairs perfectly with every dish on their menu.
