By Lamies Ali

Your roots never tasted so good.

Baize

Think Gerge’an (traditional event in Ramadan) all year round. Baize is a colorful space with clever Arabic phrases calligraphed everywhere and authentic Arabic music in the background. The menu is varied so there’s something for everyone. Whether it be waffles, mac and cheese or burgers, all of it will still taste like it came straight out of your Aunt Noura’s kitchen.

Location: Zaid ibn Al Khattab St., Khobar
Mob: +966-543736939
Instagram: baizerestaurant

Eydaam

It’s industrial with traditional hints of sadu (weaving style) and colorful ropes to balance out the edginess. The menu is hardcore Kuwaiti, which sets them apart from most traditional places. In my opinion, nothing says Kuwaiti more than two items: machboos and truffles. Forget about being the butter to my toast, being the truffle to my machboos is what I call #relationshipgoals.

Location: Makkah Al Mukarramah St., Khobar
Tel: +966-13-8990204
Instagram: eydaamksa

Al Sayyad Al Bahry Seafood

For the seafood lovers in town, Al Sayyad Al Bahry —also known as Dirwazah — is the place to go. The space has the Sharqawi fisherman feel to it punctuated by a quirky art wall and they serve a very wide variety of shrimp dishes, fresh fish (naturally) and a handful of other dishes that aren’t seafood.

Location: Abu Huraira St., Az Zuhur, Dammam
Tel: +966-13-8320001 / +966-13-8325559
Instagram: alsayyadalbahry

Nouryat Center

So, what should you expect when you order from Nouryat? Same thing you expect when you sit at your own mother’s dinner table: Kabsah, pastas, potato and chicken casseroles, not to mention some killer desserts. Just remember, if you gain weight; it was worth it.

Location: Mekkah St. & 13 (A) St., Abdullah Fuad, Dammam
Tel: +966-13-8055552
Instagram: nouryatcenter

Our Past Restaurant

With the bakery, cafe, oud place, humble museum and the restaurant itself, Al Khobar Traditional Village provides the full experience. You can go with a large party, have a private majlis all to yourself and be served tea, coffee and bukhoor with your dinner like a true Saudi gathering. Of course, you can always just order off the menu, as the place serves a variety of Saudi and even Moroccan dishes. Either way, Our Past is more than a place for dinner; it’s a place for culture and community.

Location: Al Yarmuk St., Al Aqrabiyah, Khobar
Tel: +966-13-8491991 / 920012321
Instagram: khobarvillage