Best Budget Food in Saudi Arabia: Save Money Guide | Homejourney

Best Food and Restaurants in Saudi Arabia Budget: Quick Answer

If you want the Best Food and Restaurants in Saudi Arabia Budget: Save Money, focus on local eateries (bofiya cafeterias, family-run Saudi restaurants, and mall food courts), aim for meals under SAR 30–50, and prioritise areas like central Riyadh and Jeddah neighbourhoods with dense local traffic rather than tourist-only zones.[1][5] This lets you enjoy authentic Saudi flavours affordably while freeing up cash for shopping, sightseeing, or even exploring Singapore property investment later with Homejourney.

This guide is a focused cluster within Homejourney’s broader Saudi Arabia budget travel series, complementing the main pillar Saudi Arabia Budget Travel Guide: Save Money Tips Saudi Arabia Budget Travel Guide: Save Money Tips | Homejourney . Here, we zoom in specifically on affordable Saudi food, cheap restaurants, and tactical ways to save money in Saudi, especially for travellers coming from or interested in Singapore.

Why Saudi Arabia Is Great for Budget Food Lovers

Having travelled frequently from Singapore to Riyadh and Jeddah in the past few years, one thing stands out: if you avoid only eating in luxury malls and hotel restaurants, Saudi can be surprisingly wallet-friendly for food. In many local spots, a hearty meal can cost less than a basic hawker meal plus drink in central Singapore.

In neighbourhoods like Al Zahra, Al Sharafiyah and Aziziyah in Jeddah, you can find full meals below SAR 50 (about S$18–19 at S$1 ≈ SAR 2.7), from fried chicken combos to Egyptian koshary and Indian rice bowls.[1] These prices are comparable to or even cheaper than popular areas around Bugis or Tanjong Pagar where full restaurant meals often start from S$18–25.

Understanding the Saudi Budget: What Is “Affordable”?

When we talk about Saudi budget and affordable Saudi food, here is a simple benchmark useful for Singapore travellers:

Ultra-budget meals: SAR 10–20 (S$4–8) – typical at small bofiya (local cafeterias) and simple shawarma or falafel stalls.[1]
Comfortable budget: SAR 20–40 (S$8–15) – casual restaurants and combos like fried chicken, koshary, or rice bowls.[1]
Mid-range dining: SAR 50–120 (S$19–45) – branded casual chains and nicer sit-down restaurants.[2][5]

If you are used to Singapore food courts and mid-range restaurants, aiming for SAR 30–50 per meal will feel roughly equivalent or slightly cheaper than dining in central Singapore, especially if you drink water instead of imported drinks.

Best Budget-Friendly Saudi Food Types to Try

1. Local Bofiya (Cafeterias) – The True Cheap Eats Hero

In Saudi, the small neighbourhood cafeterias, often called bofiya, are the ultimate cheap Saudi travel hack. These are no-frills counters serving sandwiches, eggs, simple grilled meats and juices, popular with workers and students.[1]

Typical prices: SAR 5–15 (S$2–6) for a shakshuka, egg, or liver sandwich; SAR 3–5 for tea or juice.[1]
Best for: Breakfast on-the-go or a late-night snack without blowing your budget.
Insider tip: Like Singapore kopi stalls, regulars usually know what to order. Watch what locals are getting, then follow their lead.

2. Saudi and Regional Comfort Food Under SAR 50

In cities like Jeddah, you can get substantial, hearty meals for well under SAR 50 at casual restaurants. A good example is Koshary Abu Tarek, famous for Egyptian koshary, a mix of rice, pasta, lentils and chickpeas topped with crispy onions and sauce, around SAR 33.60 for a filling portion.[1]

What to try: Koshary, foul (fava beans), falafel platters, and simple lamb-and-rice dishes.
Expected spend: SAR 30–40 (S$11–15) for a main plus drink – comparable to a hearty rice bowl in Singapore CBD.
Insider tip: Ask for extra garlic vinegar or chilli sauces (similar to adding sambal or chilli padi in Singapore); they’re usually free and elevate the dish.[1]

3. Budget-Friendly Chains and Combos

Saudi also has many value-driven fast-casual chains. For example, in Jeddah:

Wister – Known for crunchy fried chicken combos like the Takis Cheetos Mix Box for about SAR 39 including burger, fries and a drink.[1]
Kudu – A long-standing Saudi chain serving tortilla sandwiches and breakfast sets, with combos around SAR 23, ideal for a cheap, filling meal.[1]
Zafiro – Offers Indian-style butter chicken rice bowls around SAR 35.20, far less than Indian restaurants in Singapore’s CBD.[1]

These chains offer predictable pricing and are good for travellers who prefer clear menus, similar to how Singaporeans rely on brands like Toast Box or Swensen’s when overseas.

Where to Find the Best Budget Restaurants in Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: Cheap Eats Near Key Districts

Riyadh is full of high-end restaurants,[2][3] but there are also many cheap eats if you avoid exclusive fine-dining clusters. Areas with mixed residential and commercial activity, such as parts of Olaya, Malaz and around universities, tend to have more affordable food, similar to how food gets cheaper once you step away from Orchard Road toward areas like Boon Keng or Queenstown.

Use local discovery apps and delivery platforms to search “cheap eats” or filter by price, then look for Saudi or Egyptian eateries with strong local reviews.[5] In malls, food courts usually have shawarma, grilled chicken and rice meals around SAR 20–40, often with generous portions.

Jeddah: Under-SAR-50 Food Neighbourhoods

In Jeddah, specific neighbourhoods are recognised for having clusters of budget-friendly restaurants:[1]

Al Zahra – Home to spots like Wister, with full fried chicken combos under SAR 40.[1]
Aziziyah – Where chains like Kudu serve affordable wraps and breakfast sets.[1]
Al Sharafiyah – Known for koshary and other comfort foods under SAR 35.[1]

If you are used to exploring neighbourhood food around Singapore MRT nodes (like going one stop out from touristy areas), think of these Jeddah districts the same way: not the flashiest, but excellent value, authentic, and packed with locals.

Practical Money-Saving Food Tips in Saudi

1. Time Your Main Meal Smartly

A common strategy I use on Saudi trips from Singapore is to have one big meal late morning or early afternoon, then a lighter evening snack. Many casual places offer lunch specials or set menus, mirroring the way Singapore CBD eateries have weekday lunch deals.

Look for combo meals under SAR 40–50.
Opt for shared platters (mixed grill, large rice dishes) if travelling in a group.

2. Use Local Delivery Apps (But Watch Fees)

Most cheap restaurants, including budget spots like Wister, are on major Saudi delivery apps.[1] Delivery can help if your hotel is in a high-end area with only expensive options nearby, similar to booking food delivery to a Singapore CBD hotel from a more affordable HDB-town hawker centre.