Best Food & Restaurants in AlUla: Ancient Wonder Guide | Homejourney

The Best Food and Restaurants in AlUla Complete : Ancient Wonder of Arabia range from Michelin-recognised fine dining in desert canyons to family-run spots in Old Town serving traditional Saudi dishes – and for Singapore travellers, the experience feels like a blend of heritage-rich Kampong Gelam vibes with the high standards of a Marina Bay hotel buffet.

As someone based in Singapore who has travelled through AlUla and regularly helps Homejourney users compare destinations, this guide focuses on where to eat safely and well in AlUla, what to order, and how to plan meals around visits to Hegra (Mada’in Saleh), the ancient tombs, and other key AlUla Saudi Arabia attractions – with practical tie-ins for travellers considering Singapore real estate.

How AlUla’s Food Scene Fits into Your Overall Trip

This cluster article supports our main destination overview, AlUla Complete Travel Guide: Ancient Wonder of Arabia AlUla Complete Travel Guide: Ancient Wonder of Arabia | Homejourney , by zooming in on food and dining – one of the most important factors for Singapore travellers and families when shortlisting destinations.

In Singapore, many Homejourney users tell us they decide where to stay based on food access near MRT nodes like Bugis, Outram Park, or Orchard; similarly, in AlUla you should plan your base and sightseeing times around mealtimes and restaurant locations in Old Town, Ashar Valley, and the main resort clusters.[5]

Essential Overview: Eating in AlUla for Singapore Travellers

Why food in AlUla is special: AlUla’s dining scene blends oasis-to-fork concepts, traditional Saudi cooking, and international chefs brought in to support its positioning as a premium tourism hub.[5][1] Think of it as a desert version of Singapore’s integrated resort dining – small but very curated.

Best time to visit for food: November to March when the weather is cooler and seasonal pop-up restaurants open for the AlUla Moments events.[5] Outside this period, core restaurants remain but some limited-time concepts close.
Currency: Saudi Riyal (SAR). As a rough working number, many Singapore travellers use about S$1 ≈ 2.7–2.9 SAR at money changers; always check up-to-date rates on your banking app or multi-currency card.
Budget benchmarks (based on current on-ground and menu checks):
- Casual café/Old Town: 40–80 SAR per person (about S$15–30) for a main and drink.
- Resort or Michelin-listed restaurants: 250–450 SAR per person (about S$90–170) for a full meal, excluding alcohol (AlUla is a non-alcohol destination).
From Singapore: There are no direct flights; most travellers route via Dubai, Doha, or Riyadh, then a domestic flight to AlUla. Allow at least one travel day in and one out when planning dining reservations.

Insider tip from a Singapore perspective: Treat resort and Michelin spots like you would treat a Saturday night at Marina Bay Sands or Raffles Hotel – book ahead, especially in peak season and for sunset dinner slots.

Best Restaurants in AlUla: Curated Shortlist

AlUla’s food map is compact; most popular venues cluster around Old Town, Ashar Valley, and key resorts.[5][3] Below is a practical line-up for first-time visitors.

1. Tama – Modern Middle Eastern with Valley Views

Why go: Tama, at Our Habitas AlUla, is one of the most iconic dining rooms in the valley and is listed in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide.[2] You dine beside a pool with sweeping views of Ashar Valley cliffs – it has the same “destination restaurant” feel as a rooftop in Singapore’s CBD, but with sandstone instead of skyscrapers.

Food style: Modern Middle Eastern using Saudi-grown produce and Red Sea seafood, with creative touches.[2]
What to try: Carrot hummus, local greens salad with coffee dressing, and the vegan pavlova are highlighted by the MICHELIN inspectors.[2]
Approximate budget: Expect ~300–400 SAR per person for a full dinner (about S$110–150).
Best time: Sunset to early evening to enjoy the changing colours of the cliffs.

Insider tip: Like popular Singapore fine-dining spots, book the earliest sunset seating – you get the view, then cooler temperatures for a walk around the resort paths after dinner.

2. Joontos – Bib Gourmand Comfort in Old Town

Why go: Joontos at Dar Tantora The House Hotel has earned a Bib Gourmand in the MICHELIN Guide for good quality, good value cooking.[4][6] It is ideal if you want an elevated meal that still feels comforting and not overly formal.

Food style: Levantine mezze and Iberian-inspired tapas for starters, with international mains that weave in local ingredients like black lime.[4]
Signature touches: Date and citrus soufflé is a standout dessert that uses local produce.[4]
Estimated spend: Lower than top-tier resort restaurants; allow ~180–260 SAR per person (S$70–100).

Local-style tip: Go with a small group (3–4 people) and order mezze and tapas to share, like how Singaporeans share zi char plates – it is more cost-efficient and lets you sample more dishes.

3. Harrat – Resort Dining at Banyan Tree

Why go: Located in the Banyan Tree AlUla, Harrat offers a refined setting with seafood, Middle Eastern mezze, pasta, and grills, matching the high expectations of Singapore travellers used to brands like Capella or Ritz-Carlton.[7][3]

Food style: Mix of regional and international dishes; good for families or mixed preference groups.[7]
Budget: Similar to a luxury hotel restaurant in Singapore – plan around 250–350 SAR per person (S$95–130).
When to go: Dinner after a day at Hegra or the ancient tombs, when you prefer a quieter, resort-based evening.

Insider tip: If you are staying in the resort, coordinate your dining time with sunset at the hotel’s viewpoints; Banyan Tree staff are generally good at advising ideal time slots.

4. Old Town & Oasis Favourites

The Old Town and Oasis area feels a bit like walking Kampong Glam’s narrow streets – low-rise, atmospheric, and dotted with eateries.[1][5] It is also where you will find more mid-range dining.

AlNakheel Café (Old Town): Casual spot with Hijazi and Lebanese flavours, outdoor seating among mudbrick buildings and date palms.[1] Great for mixed grills and crispy muttabaq (stuffed pastry); expect 40–90 SAR per person.
Heart of Oasis: A farm-to-fork concept using produce from the surrounding oasis, aligned with slow food principles.[1][5] Ideal for lunch after a morning exploring Old Town.
Tawlet Fayza: Designed to feel like dining at a Saudi grandmother’s home, with communal tables and an evolving menu based on local produce.[1] A good option if you prioritise cultural immersion.

Local tip: Think of these as the AlUla equivalent of trusted family-run eateries near Singapore’s heartland estates – food is hearty, portions are generous, and it is easy to linger over tea.

5. International Concepts for Global Palates

If you are travelling with family members less adventurous about spice or new flavours, AlUla also has international brands and fusion restaurants.[1][3]

Circolo: Italian restaurant at Al Jadidah District, known for artisanal pizzas, citrus risotto, and fried goat cheese salad with blood orange dressing, blending Italian technique with local ingredients.[1]
Novikov AlUla: Offshoot of the famous Mayfair restaurant, serving a mix of Asian and Italian dishes including sushi, dim sum, robata, wok plates, and wood-fired pizza.[1]
Café Ruc AlUla: Brings Parisian brasserie vibes to Old Town, with French classics like Beef Bourguignon and French onion soup, plus pastries and cheeses.[1][3]

Singapore comparison: These venues feel a bit like dining at global concept restaurants in Marina Bay Sands or Dempsey – familiar for frequent travellers, with pricing to match.