If you are in the Saudi capital and haven’t tried the best shawarma in Riyadh then you are missing out big time.
WHAT ARE YOU EVEN DOING THEN?
Trust me, Riyadh is filled with some of the best Middle Eastern eats and when it comes to these juicy and delicious wraps they don’t mess around.
If you love beef or chicken you will get plenty of options but it’s not just about the protein here.
You get different sizes and different cooking ways for these shawarmas.
There will always be something you haven’t tried yet.
From old school to new chic vibes with a modern twist on shawarma, you will get everything in Riyadh. So why are we still here?
Let’s explore the best shawarma in Riyadh today!
1. Shawarma House
With branches all over Riyadh, you might have heard or seen this place at least once when traveling in Riyadh. They have all the Middle Eastern classics but as the name says they are famous for their classic and creative shawarmas.
The restaurant has a very minimalist and basic interior design with bright white lights and a dark wooden interior. They have put all their focus on the menu but I guess the interior could be elevated slightly too.
Shawarma House also offers an outdoor seating area but like the indoors, it’s basic and is good for a relaxed meal with family or friends.
3 Must-Try Shawarmas
Shawarma House has a detailed menu and you will be going through it for a good 15 minutes before deciding what to order.
My favorites at this place are:
- Classic Chicken Shawarma: If you like keeping things classic and basic then this one is for you. A perfectly tender and seasoned chicken is wrapped in their fresh bread.
BUT THAT’S JUST THE START!
It’s paired with garlic sauce, pickles, and fries. Simple yet extremely delicious and satisfying.
- Spicy Beef Shawarma: For the beef lovers this one is a no miss. This shawarma has beef strips that are marinated in their special hot sauces and the result is a shawarma you will fight over with others.
- Cheesy Shawarma Wrap: For this shawarma you choose your protein (beef or chicken). It is then topped with a generous amount of cheese which is balanced by the garlic and pickles. I have been to this place many times just for this shawarma.
Average Price For Shawarma
The average price that you pay at shawarma house can be somewhere between SAR 25 – SAR 30 which is a great value for money.
2. Mama Noura
There is no way you haven’t heard about Mama Noura if you are in Riyadh. This place is not about fancy; instead, it focuses on flavor.
MAMA NOURA IS THE SYNONOUM OF SHAWARMA IN RIYADH!
When you enter this place you will see huge shawarma machines on the sides and the smell. You will feel hungry instantly.
Between the food stations is the dining area so you can see your shawarma tossed in sauces and wrapped in their bread just in front of you.
The dining area is minimalist with brown chairs and fruits around the tables.
BUT THE MAGIC?
It’s all in their efficiency. The team at Mama Noura operates like clockwork, ensuring you get your shawarma in record time.
3 Must-Try Shawarmas at Mama Noura
While famous for shawarma they don’t have a lot of options but the ones they have are more than enough to bring you back here again and again. My favorites are:
- Shawarma Chicken (10 SR): For the price, this one is a great value for money. This includes tender chicken that is tossed in their special garlic sauce and then wrapped in fresh bread. The pickle adds a touch of tangy flavor.
- Shawerma Meat (11 SR): The same ingredients but this time with meat. For this price I don’t think you can get such a shawarma anywhere else.
- Plate Shawarma Mix (63 SR): If you can’t decide between chicken and meat don’t worry. This plate shawarma is a mix of both proteins and is a perfect choice if you are with a group of people or family.
Average Price For Shawarma
If you go for a shawarma wrap you can get it for around SAR 10.5 on average but if you go for the plate then expect to pay over SAR 45 for that.
3. Mc Coy’s
The name might sound like your favorite burger and nuggets restaurant but here it’s all about Middle Eastern food, specifically shawarma.
The restaurant like other shawarma restaurants is mainly focused on providing efficiency. Their interior design is fairly simple with an odd yellow and brown combination which I didn’t really like.
The shiny stainless steel surfaces are clean and overall it’s a good place for grab-and-go lunch or brunch in Riyadh.
The shawarmas are made right Infront of you within minutes and the inside has a huge space so you wont be bumping into people.
Must-Try Shawarmas at McCoy’s
Their menu has things like broasted, kebabs, and salads but they are quite well known for their shawarmas. They don’t offer much options on the shawarma side but the ones present are more than enough to get the job done.
My favorites are:
- Shish Tawook Sandwich (12 SAR): It’s called sandwich but it actually is shawarma. The chicken chunks in the shawarma pair perfectly with potatoes and their special garlic dip. For this price, I think it’s a game changer.
- Chicken Shawarma (8 SAR): A Lebanese bread with tender pieces of chicken, crispy fries, and their special sauce named the “maksoud”. I bet you will love this.
- Meat Shawarma (10 SAR): Creamy tahini dressing on tender beef, parsley-onion mix, and Lebanese bread makes this great shawarma for meat lovers.
Average Price For Shawarma
You can expect to pay around SAR 8 – 12 for a nice shawarma meal at this restaurant.
4. Allo Beirut
If you have ever been to a retro Middle Eastern restaurant then you will know the old-school vibe and if you haven’t been then you will find that vibe at Allo Beirut.
This place is known for its BBQ grills, sandwiches, and a ton of other Middle Eastern dishes.
BUT
That’s not the only thing they offer. You will find vegetarian dishes and even Pizza here.
EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF!
The bright red, blue, and turquoise lights paired with exposed brick walls and large windows give the place a fun and playful vibe.
The booth seating is my favorite and is ideal if you are out for dinner with your family. You get a private space all for yourself so no one can judge you.
Must-Try Shawarmas at Allo Beirut
Out of all the shawarma restaurants we talked about this one has the most variety in terms of shawarma’s. My favorites here are:
- Trio Shawarma Sandwich (27 SAR): Why choose one when you can have three? This is not your ordinary chicken or beef shawarma instead it combines beef, chicken, and also soujouk. It sure is a trio you can’t miss.
- Super Shawarma Sandwich (Regular) (16 SAR): A spicy take on the classic shawarma. This wrap combines chicken and soujouk shawarma with their signature chili garlic sauce, lettuce, pickles, and crispy fries. That’s a lot of value for money there.
- Arabic Beef Shawarma (45 SAR): This shawarma is cut into 6 equal pieces so you don’t fight over it. It includes beef, Tomatoes, pickles, and tarator.
Average Price For Shawarma
You can expect to pay over SAR 20 at this restaurant for a nice full shawarma meal for one person.
5. Mareez
The last but not the least is this upscale shawarma restaurant in Riyadh. If you are someone who loves a cozy and upscale atmosphere then Mareez is calling your name.
The brown wooden ceilings give this restaurant a relaxed and home-like feel while the pops of white keep it feeling fresh and lively.
To balance this and create some elegance they have those comfortable rattan chairs and marble tables.
Must-Try Shawarmas at Mareez
Mareez has quite a limited menu with not many options but their shawarma sure is the star of the show. My favorites are:
- Mashrooh Shawarma (9.5 SAR): This shawarma comes wrapped in their special mashrouh bread which pairs perfectly with chicken, garlic sauce, and pickles.
- Shawarma Plate (25 SAR): How about a deconstructed shawarma? Sounds good? This plate offers slices of perfectly roasted chicken shawarma that you just can’t resist trying.
- Classic Shawarma (8.5 SAR): sometimes keeping things simple is the best option. his traditional chicken shawarma wrap with garlic sauce and pickles delivers flavor without any frills.
Average Price For Shawarma
If you go for a shawarma wrap then you can expect to pay around SAR 10 while the shawarma plate will cost you around SAR 25.
Conclusion
So there you go my picks for the best shawarma in Riyadh. If you haven’t tried these restaurants then you have not tried a good shawarma in Riyadh yet.
So why wait? Grab your keys and head over now!
