Where can you find Riyadh’s best manakish? It’s one of the city’s most controversial culinary quarrels, and everyone has an opinion they will passionately defend to the cheese-smothered end.
It’s a delicious question that many foodies across the city want to find the answer to themselves by eating as many as humanly possible (and a couple more after that). And we’re right there with them searching for the best manakish in Riyadh, whether it be a classic cheese or something totally unique. Here are the best places for manakish in Riyadh.
Furn El Manousha
Fans of Furn El Manousha say its manakish is the closest you’ll find to the rich, traditional versions sold from street stalls in the ’80s and ’90s. Classic options like labneh with honey and spicy muhammara sit alongside modern favourites such as hot dog with kashkawan cheese, with diners able to see straight through to the kitchen where fresh breads are pulled hot from the brick oven. If you’re not quite sure what to pick, ask for a selection of miniatures – the perfect way to sample the full menu.
Open Sat-Thu 6.30am-1am, Friday 1pm-1am. Uthman Ibn Affan Road, Al Mughrizat (050 228 2502).
Zaatar W Zeit
This chain has built up a reputation across the Gulf for pumping out consistently delicious Lebanese food from dawn to dusk (24 hours a day at some branches). While the menu includes a host of popular dishes, including salads, wraps and platters, regulars know the star of the show is the manakish. It comes in simple varieties – think melted cheese or zaatar – as well as more complex options like creamy yoghurt with tapenade, tomatoes, cucumbers and mint. Or try it the “traditional Lebanese way” with lahmeh bi ajjine – that’s minced meat with spices, onions and tomatoes.
Various locations including King Abdullah Road and Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz, zaatarwzeit.net (011 415 3786).
Bakery 500
Open from early in the morning until well past midnight, Bakery 500 offers manakish starting at the bargain price of SAR7 for simple toppings. The range here is one of the largest we’ve seen, including choices with fajita chicken, grilled kebab and spicy shawarma. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Bakery 500 has branched out into pizza if you prefer something saucier. But with such a large selection of manakish available, we know what we’ll be sticking with.
Open daily 6am-1am. Al-Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal St, Ar Rawabi, bakery500.com (050 750 5500).
Wooden Bakery
Wooden Bakery is a chain hailing directly from Lebanon, bringing its signature selection of cakes, bakes and manakish to Riyadh as part of a Saudi Arabian expansion. The best manakish at the enormous branch in As Sulimaniyah can be found first thing in the morning when they are straight out of the oven – hot, doughy and delicious. Fan favourites include the zaatar with cheese and halloumi options.
Open Sun-Thu 24 hours. As Sulimaniyah, woodenbakery.com (011 472 5559).
The Lebanese Bakery
More upmarket than other options, with airy and stylish interiors in the heart of U Walk, The Lebanese Bakery brings a contemporary twist to traditional manakish flavours. The menu is split into several sections, with “from the garden” bringing roasted aubergines and cauliflower, parsley, cherry tomatoes and tahini vinaigrette, while in the cheese selections simple halloumi is elevated with basil spread and pine nuts. All-day breakfast brings shakshouka-themed manakish, and you can even swap out your bread for whole-wheat or multigrain.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-11.30pm, Fri 1pm-11.30pm. U Walk, An Nakheel, instagram.com/thelebanesebakeryriyadh (9200 00262).
