Saudi Arabia is one of those places where thousands of Muslims go for pilgrimage. And apart from pilgrimage, many Muslims explore other parts of this country. When you explore a country and live in a place for a certain period, you have to eat food. There is a trend worldwide that is making people prefer plant-based organic food.
Pilgrims also look for vegan options in their Umrah packages. Moreover, Saudi Arabia's food scene has evolved in the past few years considering this trend. Now pilgrims can enjoy vegan food at multiple restaurants and cafes in Saudi Arabia. However, it started recently so there are not a lot of people talking about it. But the following article will guide you to places in Saudi Arabia where you can enjoy 100% vegan food.
Vegan friendly means that accommodations and restaurants will provide food suitable for vegans. This does not mean that they won't also offer food for non-vegans (unfortunately) so be aware that the people sitting next to you at the table might be eating flesh. Double check everything because sometimes people confuse vegetarian (won't eat meat) with vegan (won't eat meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey or anything else that came from an animal). Veganism confuses people sometimes, some people think chicken or fish are acceptable (they're not), or that vegetarian and veganism are the same (they're not) or that vegans only eat vegetables - when vegans eat many other things including nuts, fruits, seeds, legumes, grains and more.
These hotels and restaurants clearly label their food items so travellers can make their selection easily. It is a Muslim country so food will be halal and vegan food doesn’t require meat from any animals. Anyhow, travellers always want to know the ingredients before consuming the food. Saudi restaurants and hotels have evolved in the last few years. Now, you will find a list of ingredients of each dish mentioned right next to it in many hotels and restaurants here. Furthermore, many travel agencies also mention food options in their Umrah packages helping pilgrims to choose “vegan-friendly” hotels.
So many restaurants and cafes in Saudi Arabia have started offering plant-based food in their menus. And you will find many diverse options on their menu. Some of the best places to eat vegan food are as follows.
It is the leading destination to find vegan food in Saudi Arabia and one of the first to take this initiative. You will find numerous cafes and restaurants in this city that offer vegan food. Sinless and Nabati are two great restaurants to enjoy such meals. Moreover, you can also go to Moon Shell and Cleanse & Glow to eat some healthy organic food.
It is the home of some of the best vegan cafes and restaurants with diverse menus. Also, you will find many Indian restaurants as well. It might surprise you that there are hundreds of dishes that contain nothing but organic ingredients. You must visit Savana Bhavan and Zafran to taste these dishes. Moreover, many Arabic traditional cuisines are also based on purely organic ingredients. Operation Falafel and Zooba are two of the best places to taste these cuisines.
Pilgrims spend most of their time in these two holy cities so there are many places here that are vegan-friendly. There are very limited places in both of these cities that don’t have vegan options in their menus. Additionally, these hotels and restaurant clearly mention the ingredients of their food in menu.
Most families who take the Umrah journey like to cook their own food. Sometimes they want to save money or sometimes they just don’t like restaurant meals. But if you don’t know where to find these ingredients then here is the list of some of the best stores.
Here you will find plant-based milk such as almond milk and coconut milk. Moreover, you will find tofu and vegan cheese here as well. Also, you will find many healthy products and items such as meat alternatives.
It is one of the biggest places to buy vegan products and plant-based milk. Also, you will find many international products such as vegan meat.
You will get to buy vegan snacks and multiple kinds of international brands offering vegan food.
This place is especially for those who like to try new food and vegan products. You will find plant-based food supplements and health food. Moreover, this is the best store to buy nuts and fresh juices alongside alternative options for dairy products.
There are multiple hotels in this country that offer a completely vegan-friendly environment. These hotels offer buffet breakfasts with many plant-based options. You will find soy milk and oat milk at these places alongside almond milk. Moreover, many of their meal options contain fresh vegetables and fruits. The most amazing part is that you can also get your food in your rooms at all of these establishments. Some of the best places are Four Season Riyadh and Habitas AlUla that cater to vegan guests.
Moreover, you can also go to any of the Marriott hotels in the country and enjoy vegan food there. Similarly, Sheraton Hotel and Holiday Inn also offer brilliant vegan options. Lastly, you need to book your Umrah package through a reputable travel agency. They will ask you about your food preferences and suggest hotels accordingly. Lastly, you can also find multiple discounts for your journey at all of these hotels mentioned here.
Everyone wants to eat healthy food, be it a holiday or a pilgrimage. That’s why hotels in Saudi Arabia adopted this change and started offering vegan food to their guests.
What Does “Vegan Friendly” Really Mean?
Vegan friendly means that accommodations and restaurants will provide food suitable for vegans. This does not mean that they won't also offer food for non-vegans (unfortunately) so be aware that the people sitting next to you at the table might be eating flesh. Double check everything because sometimes people confuse vegetarian (won't eat meat) with vegan (won't eat meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey or anything else that came from an animal). Veganism confuses people sometimes, some people think chicken or fish are acceptable (they're not), or that vegetarian and veganism are the same (they're not) or that vegans only eat vegetables - when vegans eat many other things including nuts, fruits, seeds, legumes, grains and more.
These hotels and restaurants clearly label their food items so travellers can make their selection easily. It is a Muslim country so food will be halal and vegan food doesn’t require meat from any animals. Anyhow, travellers always want to know the ingredients before consuming the food. Saudi restaurants and hotels have evolved in the last few years. Now, you will find a list of ingredients of each dish mentioned right next to it in many hotels and restaurants here. Furthermore, many travel agencies also mention food options in their Umrah packages helping pilgrims to choose “vegan-friendly” hotels.
Places Where You Can Find Vegan-Friendly Food
So many restaurants and cafes in Saudi Arabia have started offering plant-based food in their menus. And you will find many diverse options on their menu. Some of the best places to eat vegan food are as follows.
Jeddah
It is the leading destination to find vegan food in Saudi Arabia and one of the first to take this initiative. You will find numerous cafes and restaurants in this city that offer vegan food. Sinless and Nabati are two great restaurants to enjoy such meals. Moreover, you can also go to Moon Shell and Cleanse & Glow to eat some healthy organic food.
Riyadh
It is the home of some of the best vegan cafes and restaurants with diverse menus. Also, you will find many Indian restaurants as well. It might surprise you that there are hundreds of dishes that contain nothing but organic ingredients. You must visit Savana Bhavan and Zafran to taste these dishes. Moreover, many Arabic traditional cuisines are also based on purely organic ingredients. Operation Falafel and Zooba are two of the best places to taste these cuisines.
Makkah & Medina
Pilgrims spend most of their time in these two holy cities so there are many places here that are vegan-friendly. There are very limited places in both of these cities that don’t have vegan options in their menus. Additionally, these hotels and restaurant clearly mention the ingredients of their food in menu.
Best Grocery Stores in Saudi Arabia to Find Vegan Ingredients
Most families who take the Umrah journey like to cook their own food. Sometimes they want to save money or sometimes they just don’t like restaurant meals. But if you don’t know where to find these ingredients then here is the list of some of the best stores.
Tamimi Markets
Here you will find plant-based milk such as almond milk and coconut milk. Moreover, you will find tofu and vegan cheese here as well. Also, you will find many healthy products and items such as meat alternatives.
Danube Supermarket
It is one of the biggest places to buy vegan products and plant-based milk. Also, you will find many international products such as vegan meat.
LuLu Hypermarket
You will get to buy vegan snacks and multiple kinds of international brands offering vegan food.
Vital Food Store
This place is especially for those who like to try new food and vegan products. You will find plant-based food supplements and health food. Moreover, this is the best store to buy nuts and fresh juices alongside alternative options for dairy products.
Best Hotels in Saudi Arabia that Cater to Vegan Guests
There are multiple hotels in this country that offer a completely vegan-friendly environment. These hotels offer buffet breakfasts with many plant-based options. You will find soy milk and oat milk at these places alongside almond milk. Moreover, many of their meal options contain fresh vegetables and fruits. The most amazing part is that you can also get your food in your rooms at all of these establishments. Some of the best places are Four Season Riyadh and Habitas AlUla that cater to vegan guests.
Moreover, you can also go to any of the Marriott hotels in the country and enjoy vegan food there. Similarly, Sheraton Hotel and Holiday Inn also offer brilliant vegan options. Lastly, you need to book your Umrah package through a reputable travel agency. They will ask you about your food preferences and suggest hotels accordingly. Lastly, you can also find multiple discounts for your journey at all of these hotels mentioned here.
Final Word
Everyone wants to eat healthy food, be it a holiday or a pilgrimage. That’s why hotels in Saudi Arabia adopted this change and started offering vegan food to their guests.
You can also book your place at vegan friendly hotels if you plan your journey via Muslims Holy Travel. It's one of the best travel companies that plans and organises Umrah journey for Muslims in the UK!
