Rooted in memory and reimagined for today, Zalata offers a fresh take on Saudi cuisine without losing sight of its origins.
How does a culture carry its culinary heritage into the future? At Zalata, the answer lies in heirloom family recipes—rooted in memory, shaped by tradition, and reimagined with a contemporary spark. Their dishes are built on natural ingredients, fresh flavors, and a quiet confidence that honors the past while embracing the new.
Born from a family who gathered around food as a form of celebration, Zalata is the realization of years of warm, crowded dinners and the gentle insistence of friends who tasted their cooking and asked, “Why don’t you open a restaurant?” Eventually, the children took the leap—leaving behind their day jobs to fully immerse themselves in bringing Zalata to life.
Positioned as a Saudi fusion concept, Zalata pays homage to beloved classics—Shakshuka, Tamees, Mubabeeb—while inviting global influences to the table. The menu reads like a dialogue between cultures: Kabsa Chicken Macaroni, Lamb Taco Tamees, Saudi Coffee Tiramisu. Some dishes carry the names of family and friends—Abod’s Eggs, Amal’s Eggplant, Halim’s Shakshouka Pie—quiet tributes to the people who shaped their culinary world.
Their DQ branch reflects the same ethos. The interiors weave Saudi identity into every corner: chairs adorned with traditional accents, a seating set wrapped entirely in shemagh fabric, pillars dressed in woven textiles, and on the wall, a lovingly displayed traditional costume—a nod to their mother’s dressmaking craft. It feels intimate, curated, and unmistakably local.
The food mirrors that warmth. The classic Tamees arrive warm from the Tandoor oven, soft and fragrant. Their signature Zalata starter—slow‑cooked tomatoes and onions—proves that simplicity, when done with intention, can be quietly profound. The Red Breakfast Platter offers a generous sampling of tradition: mudammas beans, scrambled eggs, eggplant mix, and Tamees. It’s a Saudi‑inflected interpretation of the English breakfast, familiar yet distinctly its own.
Their fusion dishes push the narrative further. The Beetroot and Charred Corn Salad draws from South American brightness but folds in feta and zaatar for a regional twist. The Kabsa Macaroni blends American comfort with Saudi spice, while the Taco Tamees swaps tortillas for Tamees bread and fills them with tender Naemi lamb. The Camel Meatballs—bathed in a silky, curry‑like sauce—are a standout, echoing the richness of South Asian gravies. And for dessert, the Italian tiramisu is transformed with the aromatic depth of Saudi gahwa. For drinks, their Karak Tea has earned a loyal following, but the basil‑and‑mint iced tea (Iced Habaq) is a refreshing choice for the warmer months.
Zalata is more than a restaurant—it’s a family story told through food, a bridge between heritage and modernity, and a reminder that tradition evolves most beautifully when it’s carried forward with intention. At present, Zalata has branches in 1364, Riyadh Park, and Al Qirawan. They also offer catering services and participate as a food truck venue for events.
Zalata DQ
1364 Lifestyle Center
Opening Hours
7:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily
Tel: 0506214498
Website: zalata.com
Social Media: @zalata.sa
