Looking for the best restaurants in AlUla? From restaurants in the historic setting of AlUla Old Town to dining spots in the Oasis and Ashar Valley, there are plenty of options to consider.
Choosing where to dine can depend on the location, setting, occasion and type of restaurant you prefer. Some restaurants are suited to special occasions, while others are ideal for a relaxed meal or a particular area of AlUla.
Here are some of the best restaurants in AlUla to consider, with a quick comparison to help you decide where to dine.
Best Restaurants in AlUla at a Glance
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Location | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joontos | Modern Saudi | AlUla Old Town | Heritage setting |
| Maraya Social | Mediterranean, Arabic & British influences | Maraya | Special occasions |
| OKTO | Greek | Harrat Viewpoint | Views and evening dining |
| Somewhere | Mediterranean fusion | AlUla Oasis | Relaxed dining |
| Harrat | Middle Eastern fusion | Ashar Valley | Open-air dining |
| Entrecôte Café de Paris | French | AlUla Old Town | Steak and French-style dining |
| Saffron | Thai | Banyan Tree AlUla | Thai dining |
| Suhail | Saudi | AlUla Old Town | Traditional Saudi dining |
| Circolo | Italian | AlUla Oasis | Italian dining |
| Villa Fayrouz | Lebanese | AlUla Old Town | Lebanese dining |
Best Restaurants in AlUla, Saudi Arabia
1. Joontos Restaurant at Dar Tantora
Cuisine: Modern Saudi
Location: AlUla Old Town
Best for: A heritage setting
Located in the heart of AlUla Old Town, Joontos at Dar Tantora is a restaurant set within the historic district.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served, making it suitable for different dining plans.
For guests staying at Dar Tantora, Joontos is located within the hotel. Other visitors can also dine at the restaurant while exploring AlUla Old Town.
Explore Joontos Restaurant at Dar Tantora
2. Maraya Social
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Arabic and British influences
Location: Maraya
Best for: Special occasions
Located on the rooftop of Maraya in Ashar Valley, Maraya Social offers a distinctive setting for dining.
Its location and surroundings make it a suitable choice for a special occasion or an evening when the setting is an important part of the experience.
3. OKTO
Cuisine: Greek
Location: Harrat Viewpoint
Best for: Views and evening dining
OKTO is located at Harrat Viewpoint in an elevated position overlooking AlUla.
It is a strong option for visitors who want views to be part of their dining plans, particularly around sunset.
4. Somewhere
Cuisine: Mediterranean fusion
Location: AlUla Oasis
Best for: Relaxed dining
Located within the AlUla Oasis, Somewhere offers a relaxed setting surrounded by palms and greenery.
It is a suitable choice for visitors looking for a more casual restaurant in the Oasis.
5. Harrat
Cuisine: Middle Eastern fusion
Location: Ashar Valley
Best for: Open-air dining
Located at Banyan Tree AlUla, Harrat offers an open-air setting in Ashar Valley.
Its location makes it a convenient choice for guests spending time in the valley who prefer to dine nearby.
6. Entrecôte Café de Paris
Cuisine: French
Location: AlUla Old Town
Best for: Steak and French-style dining
Entrecôte Café de Paris is located in AlUla Old Town and is known for its steak-and-fries concept.
It is a straightforward option for visitors looking for French-style steak in the historic district.
7. Saffron
Cuisine: Thai
Location: Banyan Tree AlUla
Best for: Thai dining
Saffron at Banyan Tree AlUla is located in the Ashar Valley.
It is an option for visitors looking for Thai dining in the area. Opening schedules can change, so check the latest information before visiting.
8. Suhail
Cuisine: Saudi
Location: AlUla Old Town
Best for: Traditional Saudi dining
Suhail is located in AlUla Old Town and focuses on traditional Saudi dining.
Its location makes it an option for visitors who want to dine within the historic district.
9. Circolo
Cuisine: Italian
Location: AlUla Oasis
Best for: Italian dining
Located in the AlUla Oasis, Circolo is an option for visitors looking for Italian dining in the area.
Its relaxed setting makes it suitable for lunch or dinner.
10. Villa Fayrouz
Cuisine: Lebanese
Location: AlUla Old Town
Best for: Lebanese dining
Villa Fayrouz is located in AlUla Old Town and offers Lebanese dining.
Its location makes it another option for visitors looking to dine within the historic district.
Which Restaurant in AlUla Should You Choose?
The best restaurant in AlUla depends on what matters most to you, including location, setting and occasion.
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| A heritage setting | Joontos |
| A special occasion | Maraya Social |
| Views over AlUla | OKTO |
| A relaxed Oasis setting | Somewhere |
| Open-air dining | Harrat |
| French-style steak | Entrecôte Café de Paris |
| Thai dining | Saffron |
| Traditional Saudi dining | Suhail |
| Italian dining | Circolo |
| Lebanese dining | Villa Fayrouz |
Where to Find the Best Restaurants in AlUla
Location is an important factor when choosing between restaurants in AlUla.
- AlUla Old Town is home to several restaurants within the historic district, including Joontos, Entrecôte Café de Paris, Suhail and Villa Fayrouz. Explore our guide to AlUla Old Town restaurants for more options in the historic district.
- The AlUla Oasis offers a greener setting, with Somewhere and Circolo among the restaurants located in the area.
- Ashar Valley has several destination and resort restaurants, including Harrat and Maraya Social.
- Harrat Viewpoint is home to OKTO and offers an elevated setting with views across the AlUla landscape.
When Is the Best Time to Eat at Restaurants in AlUla?
The best time to dine depends on the restaurant, your schedule and the setting you prefer.
Dinner can be particularly appealing during the cooler months, while lunch may suit visitors who are already spending time around Old Town or the Oasis.
If views are important to you, sunset can be a popular time to dine. During busy travel periods and major events, it is advisable to check availability and reserve ahead where possible.
Do You Need a Reservation at Restaurants in AlUla?
Reservations can be useful at popular restaurants, particularly for dinner, special occasions and busy periods.
Opening hours, availability and reservation policies can change, so check the latest information directly with the restaurant before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Restaurants in AlUla
What are the best restaurants in AlUla?
Some of the best-known restaurants in AlUla include Joontos, Maraya Social, OKTO, Somewhere, Harrat, Entrecôte Café de Paris, Saffron, Suhail, Circolo and Villa Fayrouz. The best choice depends on the location, setting and occasion you prefer.
What are the best restaurants in AlUla, Saudi Arabia?
The best restaurants in AlUla, Saudi Arabia include Joontos for a heritage setting, Maraya Social for special occasions, OKTO for views, Somewhere for a relaxed Oasis setting and Entrecôte Café de Paris for French-style steak.
Which restaurant is best for a special occasion in AlUla?
Maraya Social is a strong choice for a special occasion, particularly if the setting is an important part of your plans. OKTO is another option if views are a priority.
Which restaurants in AlUla have views?
OKTO at Harrat Viewpoint is one of the main choices for elevated views across AlUla. Maraya Social also offers a distinctive setting in Ashar Valley.
What are the best restaurants in AlUla Old Town?
Joontos, Entrecôte Café de Paris, Suhail and Villa Fayrouz are among the restaurants to consider in AlUla Old Town.
Where can I find restaurants in the AlUla Oasis?
Somewhere and Circolo are two restaurants to consider around the AlUla Oasis.
Do restaurants in AlUla require reservations?
Many popular restaurants recommend reservations, particularly for dinner, special occasions and busy periods. It is best to check the restaurant’s latest booking information before visiting.
Planning Your Dining in AlUla
Choosing where to dine can be part of planning your time in AlUla, particularly when you want to select a restaurant based on its location, setting or occasion.
This guide focuses specifically on the best restaurants in AlUla, helping you compare individual restaurants and decide where to dine.
For a broader overview of restaurants and the wider dining scene, read our AlUla Restaurants guide.
For information about local dishes, traditional Saudi food and what to try during your visit, read our What to Eat in AlUla: A Complete Food Guide.
If you are staying in AlUla Old Town, discover more about Dar Tantora AlUla Hotel and its heritage setting.