Looking for Sublime food spots and Shouts when You performimg Umrah
Wel focus on Makkah and Medina ofcourse. Now I know Ibadaah must be made but Ive comprised a list from my followers over the years and ofcourse trending places that everyone talks about
So loosen that Ehraam belt a notch. And See what I find that is Simply Sublime in the Kingdom of Saud
My Makkah shortlist would be:

- Al Romansiah — Jabal Omar.Al Masjid Al Haram Rd, Al Mursalat, Makkah 24247, Saudi Arabia
- Probably the first place I’d go for a proper Arabian rice meal close to the Haram. Try chicken/lamb mandi, kabsa or madghout. The Jabal Omar branch is only a few hundred metres from Masjid al-Haram.

- Uncle Qassem — Al Rasaifah. 7253 Al Rasaifah، جرهم, Makkah 24232, Saudi Arabia
- Go here for a traditional breakfast/dessert experience: areekah and ma’soub. It’s away from the Haram tourist zone, so you’ll need a short ride.

- Hashi Basha — one for the adventurous list. It specialises in hashi (camel); try camel kabsa or madghout. A branch near the Haram has been listed just a few minutes’ walk away.

- Al Baik — Clock Tower. (Multiple Locations / Abraj Al Bait Clock Tower)
- Yes, it’s fast food, but it’s a Saudi institution and worth doing once. The definitive local fast-food icon. Famous for its spicy broasted chicken, fried shrimp, garlic sauce, and fast-moving queues.. The official branch directory confirms both Clock Tower and Jabal Omar locations.

For breakfast, also hunt down foul + tamees, mutabbaq, shakshuka and Saudi tea. Makkah’s official Royal Commission guide specifically highlights traditional places serving foul, mutabbaq and ma’soub as part of the city’s local food scen

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The Oasis (Jabal Omar Hyatt Regency Makkah): A refined multi-cuisine buffet and à la carte restaurant with views overlooking the Grand Mosque. Serves traditional Saudi kabsa, Middle Eastern options, and international dishes.
Saudi Kabsa is the national dish of Saudi Arabia, featuring fragrant, spiced basmati rice cooked in a rich tomato broth alongside tender chicken or lamb, then topped with toasted nuts and raisins

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Al Rehab (InterContinental Dar Al Tawhid): Offers expansive international breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets along with Levantine and seafood specialities right next to the Haram.

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Gürkan Şef Steakhouse: Ibrahim Al Joufaili, Makkah 24372, Saudi ArabiaA Turkish steakhouse specializing in wet- and dry-aged steaks, chops, and grilled meats, along with pasta and salad options.

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Kinara Indian Restaurant حي الخالدية، MCKA3112، 3112 عثمان ابن عفان، 6335, Makkah 24232, Saudi Arabia,
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A popular choice for authentic Indian curries, biryanis, and tandoori dishes near the central hotel district.

And for coffee after Tawaf, Camel Step, BREW92 or Cafe Moment around Jabal Omar/Clock Tower are currently popular choices; recent Umrah travellers particularly mention Camel Step and Cafe Moment.

Juju Barnes 6763 At Taif Rd, Al Mashair, 2538, Makkah 24251, Saudi Arabia
You have to have the Spanish Latte Here.

Madinah is where I’d spend a little more time exploring outside the immediate hotel strip.

Swiss Butter in Madinah is a casual steakhouse located in the Aloroba Mall on King Abdallah Road, known for serving mains smothered in their signature secret butter sauce

Al Romansiah is a strong choice for a big Saudi meal—mandi, madghout and meat/rice dishes. The Madinah location is roughly 3 km from the central mosque area and has a huge volume of reviews. Recent Umrah travellers also repeatedly recommend the chain in both Makkah and Madinah. Features traditional Mandi, Madghout, and roasted meats served over flavorful rice, complete with traditional floor-seating options.
For something convenient near Masjid an-Nabawi, Zaitoon Restaurant – مطعم زيتون in Taiba Commercial Center is very close and specialises in Middle Eastern/Pakistani food. It currently has an unusually large review base, and recent Umrah travellers have specifically vouched for it.
I’d also look for Shawayah Al-Biladi for Saudi-style roast/grilled chicken with rice, and Rashat Kunafa for dessert—the pistachio-cream kunafa roll gets specifically mentioned by recent Umrah visitors.
Finally, for a more old-school local-food excursion, head toward Souq Al Tabbakha (the cooks’ market) near Bilal Mosque. It’s been recommended by Saudi locals/travellers for traditional street-food-style eating rather than the international chains surrounding the Haram.
Hashi Basha: Specialized in traditional Saudi rice dishes, including Hashi (tender young camel meat) cooked with traditional spices.
Arabesque Restaurant (Anwar Al Madinah Mövenpick): A top-rated option for Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Asian buffets with live cooking stations right near Masjid an-Nabawi.
Hyderabad House / Meraj Hyderabadi: Well-known for authentic Hyderabadi biryanis, spicy chicken dishes, and South Asian specialties.
Social House: A contemporary spot featuring a rooftop setup, western-fusion dishes, burgers, and light bites.
Coffee, Drinks & Specialty Cafes
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Kiffa Coffee Roasters / Noon Specialty Coffee: Top-rated options for specialty pour-overs, cold brews, and espresso-based beverages near the Prophet’s Mosque.
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Shueyb: A popular spot for traditional Yemeni breakfast dishes, karak tea, and fresh bread (tameez).
- Row Coffee
- Burdisi Ice Cream
The foods I wouldn’t leave Saudi without trying
If you only remember one list, make it: mandi → kabsa/madghout → areekah → ma’soub → mutabbaq → foul & tamees → camel meat → shawaya chicken → Saudi qahwa + dates → kunafa → Al Baik once.
One useful Umrah trick: don’t schedule your main meal immediately after salah. The Clock Tower/Jabal Omar restaurants can get extremely crowded after prayers; current guides and traveller reports recommend eating at quieter times.

Also Whenever Someone goes for Umrah They Talk about the Ice Cream over there. Heres my Ice Cream suggestions in
Makkah
The most famous and top-rated ice cream spot in Makkah is Al Asimah Ice Cream (also written as Al Asema or Alasema).
Al Asimah Ice Cream
Located right outside Masjid Al Haram near the Ajyad side / Le Méridien area, this iconic, viral spot is famous among pilgrims and locals alike.
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Must-Try Flavors: Soft-serve Mango, Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry. The Vanilla & Mango swirl mix is the crowd favorite.
Other Popular Options in Makkah:
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Baskin Robbins: Widely available in Abraj Al Bait (Clock Tower) mall and surrounding hotel plazas.
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[M&M’s / Gelato Spots in Abraj Al Bait]: Premium gelato and soft-serve inside the Clock Tower shopping centers.
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Al Asimah Ice Cream
Located right outside Masjid Al Haram near the Ajyad side / Le Méridien area, this iconic, viral spot is famous among pilgrims and locals alike. he classic Makkah stop. Go for the Makkah Mix or mango; it’s simple soft-serve rather than fancy gelato, but it’s especially popular around Ajyad and very convenient after Haram. Recent listings show the Ajyad location operating 24 hours
- Ice Cream Al Haramayn — another very convenient option near the Haram, roughly an 8-minute walk according to Halal Companion. Mango + strawberry mix would be my pick.
- The Creamery Café at Raffles — choose this when you want a more luxurious sit-down dessert/ice-cream experience with views toward the Haram, rather than a quick street-style cone
MEDINA
Best Ice Cream Spots in Medina
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Burdisi Ice Cream (بوظة برديسي): Address: Al Amir Muhammad Ibn Abdul Aziz, Al Aridh, Madinah 42313, Saudi Arabia (with multiple branches across Madinah like Sultana Street)
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A historic, iconic Medina landmark famous for classic traditional Arabic ice cream (Booza) made with mastic and pistachios, as well as classic fruit soft-serves. Many of my readers have said that This is the Best Ice Cream they have ever tasted

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B-Laban (ب لبن): Al Hijra Road Branch: Situated along Al Hijra Road in Madinah. Highly popular for viral, indulgent desserts. They specialize in soft-serve ice cream cups topped with mango, pistachios, kunafa, and sweet creams.

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Nine Soft Serve: A trendy modern ice cream shop specializing in artisanal soft-serve flavors, gourmet toppings, and signature dessert cups.
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Marble Slab Creamery: Great for customizable ice cream options mixed on a frozen granite stone with fresh toppings and waffle cones.

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Baskin Robbins (Abraj/Mall Branches & Northern Central Area): Easily accessible inside hotel shopping plazas around Masjid an-Nabawi for quick, familiar scoops.
- Ajwatech — this is the one I would not miss. Located on Food Street directly outside King Fahd Gate (Gate 333) of Masjid an-Nabawi.
- Their speciality is Ajwa date ice cream, including a no-added-sugar version, making it something distinctly Madinah rather than an ice cream you could have anywhere. It’s listed about a 10-minute walk from Masjid an-Nabawi.Ajwatech’s Ajwa date soft serve is widely considered a absolute must-try when visiting Madinah. What makes this specific treat so unique is that it is naturally sweetened and extracted directly from real Ajwa dates with no added sugar or butter. It offers a highly refreshing, creamy texture with a distinct, rich local flavor—frequently described by visitors as tasting like a light, chocolate-milk-like sorbet despite being purely date-based
- Also their viral fruit ice creams looks Simply Sublime

- Madinah Rose Ice Cream. Bada’ah, Madinah 42311, Saudi Arabia — try the rose ice cream for another distinctly Madinah experience; the rose-flavoured version is one of the better-known unusual treats around the Haram area.

- The Ice Cream Master — worth the trip if you’re exploring beyond the immediate Haram area. It does Arabic-style and fruit ice creams, with Ajwa and strawberry among the frequently recommended flavours.
- Nuna Icecream — a nice choice around Quba, particularly for fruit-forward flavours such as mango, lemon-mint and mixed berries.
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