An Authentic Taste of Palestine

Meet Ali Al Sardi, a Saudi restaurateur, and purveyor of Al Quds Restaurant’s Palestinian delights.

By Nahla Al Sardi

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a Saudi businessman and a proud father of five daughters. I graduated from Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt with a business administration degree, but my main interests have been tourism and catering.

When did you start Al Quds and how was the process of establishing a restaurant?

I started my business in 1998. It all began with an idea that I was able to follow through with and create, thanks to the help and encouragement I received from my friends.

What are the struggles of running a restaurant?

The main struggle was finding the perfect Palestinian dishes that would meet the standards and liking of the Saudi community. We also spent a lot of time searching for the right team of staff and now we have some of the best-experienced chefs in the area.
Can you tell us a little more about why you decided to establish Al Quds Restaurant?

I decided to establish Al Quds because of my friends, who encouraged me since they missed the original taste of Palestinian food. I wanted Palestinians to feel at home, and from the feedback we get from our customers, I would say we’ve done that.

What do people love most about Al Quds? What is your best quality?

The atmosphere created by our amazing Palestinian staff gives off a cozy home-y vibe. Our best quality is that we choose the best sources and suppliers for our ingredients and try to stick to the original recipes as closely as possible.

Your favorite dish from Al Quds?

I love everything we serve at the restaurant. For the moment, it’s mansaf and masakhan for lunch, hummus, and falafel for breakfast and dinner.