When the carnivore in you takes over and only the taste of slow-smoked meat will do, it’s time to start looking at where to eat the best American BBQ food in Riyadh. And having been there, done that, stained the T-shirt, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re after premium cuts of meat or budget bites, short ribs or strip streaks, here are the best American BBQ haunts in the whole city.
Where to eat the best American BBQ in Riyadh
7Ribs
Patience is certainly at virtue at 7Ribs, as the meats have been lovingly prepared for a long period of time, which means that every bite is full of flavour. For American BBQ food in Riyadh, you’ve certainly come to one of the most smoke-forward spots. The focus is on quality, from the shorts ribs (200 days grain fed and smoked for up to ten hours) to the brisket (200 days grain fed and smoked for up to 12 hours). 7Ribs takes pride in its meats, as the BBQ menu includes a marbling score – the tender pieces of wagyu notch up a nine.
Open daily noon-1am. Anas Ibn Malik Road, Al Malqa, instagram.com/7ribs (050 740 0100).
Al Ourjouan
When your budget doesn’t stretch far enough for you to stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, you can make do with eating out there. The Al Ourjouan is an opulent restaurant with sparkling chandeliers and grand tables. The weekly butcher’s night is a top pick for American BBQ food in Riyadh as well as all manner of classic grills from across the region. Get your mouth watering as you watch prime cuts being cooked at live stations. Note: the dress code is formal and women must wear an abaya.
SAR295. Open Thu 6.30pm-midnight, Makkah Al Mukarramah Road, Al Hada, ritzcarlton.com (011 802 8020).
David Burke
The master of meat, David Burke, has opened two restaurants in Riyadh. The menu has a robust selection of American BBQ food dishes, but for a special occasion we’d recommend the DB salt-aged beef menu. It’s all about the theatrics – the kitchen is bought to your table and the meat is cooked in front of you. Choose two accompaniments and four cuts. The choices include baby lamb chops, strip steak, sirloin cap (picanha), wagyu petite tender and wagyu ribeye.
SAR250 for two people. Open Sun-Wed 4pm-midnight, Thu 4pm-1am, Fri 1pm-1am, Sat 1pm-midnight. The Zone, Takhassusi Street, Al Mohammadiyyah, 12362, davidburke-ksa.com (011 210 2080).
Oak Smokehouse
Your meat cravings will be well and truly satisfied at Oak Smokehouse. The premium cuts come at premium prices, but what do you expect for short ribs oak-smoked for ten hours or brisket oak smoked for 18 hours? BBQ starters include volcano smoked wings, which have a spicy touch. When you can’t make up your mind, order the BBQ platter – it comes with short ribs, brisket and smoked chicken. This is proper American BBQ food in Riyadh.
SAR140. Open Sat-Wed 6pm-12.30am, Thu-Fri 6pm-1.30am. Abo Baker Alsiddiq Road, Alyasmin, 13322 (011 217 7787).
Porterhouse
Porterhouse maybe a Saudi-born brand but it’s inspired by New York, from its warehouse setting to its BBQ meats. Take a seat on one of the black leather sofas and admire the industrial chic interiors, from the exposed brickwork to beams. The steaks are dry aged in-house for 21 days, then grilled in the wood-fired grill imported from Argentina. For American BBQ food in Riyadh, specifically classic streaks, you’ve got to the right place.
SAR220. Open daily 12.30pm-12.30am. Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Road, As Sulimaniyah, porterhouse-sa.com (011 217 0088).
Smokey Beards Q
For American BBQ food in Riyadh, Smokey Beards Q could be considered the mothership. This no-nonsense Texas-style smokehouse specialises in ribs, briskets and burgers. It’s not for those who are after a graceful dining experience, instead if you don’t mind getting you fingers dirty and licking them up afterwards, you’ll love this BBQ restaurant, which was set up by three guys looking to create authentic Lone Star State flavours in Saudi. Mission accomplished.
Open Sat-Wed 1pm-1am, Thu-Fri 1pm-2am. Prince Muhammad Ibn Saad Ibn Abdulaziz Road, Hittin, instagram.com/smokeybeardsq (053 470 0086).
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