9 minute read
DINE ALULA
Home to world-class chefs and mouth-watering menus against a backdrop of spectacular scenery, AlUla is fast emerging as a Saudi gastronomic hotspot
WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD
AlUla’s restaurant scene is blossoming, thanks to growing demand for dining out by visitors and locals alike. The ‘World’s Masterpiece’, which aims to attract two million visitors by 2035, has welcomed several new restaurants and hospitality outlets in the last year, 10 of which opened in the first two months of 2022.
From fine-dining experiences to farm-to-table concepts, here’s a glance at the new or freshly renovated restaurants and cafés you should check out in 2022.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE:
Myazu; Okto; Le Maschou; Sklt
Myazu
Located next to the pool at the Shaden resort, Myazu promises contemporary culinary art rooted in Japanese culture, blended with the most sophisticated international cuisine influences. The restaurant serves modern dishes made from the finest quality ingredients. The environment is luxurious and modern and for added entertainment, live
DJs play every Thursday and
Friday evening. Note, there is a
SAR 500 minimum spend per person, so make sure you are hungry when you visit.
shaden-resort.com
Okto
Okto is an upscale authentic Greek restaurant developed by top-rated chef Ntinos Fotinakis and located at the ‘edge of the Earth’ – at the top of a beautiful outlook area at Harrat Uwayrid. Arrive before sundown to soak up the sights and sounds of the golden hour at Harrat Viewpoint when the sky’s orange glow adds a magical touch to everything you see and do. Stunning views and delicious food are perfect for sharing with family and friends at this special venue. Dietary needs can easily be accommodated, from vegan and vegetarian to gluten- or dairy-free. mytable.sa
Tama at Habitas
Tama, meaning ‘here and now’ in Aramaic, is located at the Habitas eco-luxe resort in the Ashar Valley. It is much more than a restaurant, embodying the essence of being present and keeping people in the here and now, which is a core value of the Habitas brand. The menu blends global and Middle Eastern cuisine, using local, fresh ingredients and spices once traded along the incense route, all sourced from local farms and communities, bringing Saudi Arabia’s unique flavours to life.
myhabitas.com
Le Maschou
Le Maschou brings rich flavours and a sophisticated ambience from the old alleyways of France to AlUla. Diners are welcomed by a crackling fire, complemented by ambient music, designed to settle them in. The dreamy interiors are matched with superior homestyle cuisine including homemade country bread, a bresaola melon board and wood-fired grilled meats with Provençal herbs.
mytable.sa
Maraya Social
One of Britain’s best-loved chefs and owner of multiple Michelinstarred restaurants worldwide, Jason Atherton has opened his latest restaurant in AlUla. It’s located on the rooftop of the world’s largest mirrored building, Maraya, and serves cuisine that takes inspiration from AlUla, with produce sourced from local farms, served with Atherton’s signature style. Maraya Social is open for dinner from Wednesday to Saturday. Forward bookings are required. Valet parking is available.
marayasocial.com
SKLT
Calling all meat eaters, SKLT opened in AlJadidah last month and tempts with high-quality cuts of meat, prepared and served on cast iron skillets. Sleek, stylish and fun, SKLT also has regular live music.
experiencealula.com
Annabel’s AlUla
This exclusive venue, inspired by the famous Annabel’s private members club in London, is nestled among the date palms of Jabal Ikmah. This garden oasis, filled with citrus trees, palms and flowers, is a hidden gem, offering themed dining areas, a set menu, and AlUla-inspired cocktails that use locally sourced ingredients. For groups of eight to 10 people, the private dining room offers a secluded space, covered by a canopy of tropical foliage. mytable.sa
Moon Shell
Good vibes and organic food combine to create the perfect hangout spot in AlUla. Moon Shell is a peaceful café that serves delicious smoothie bowls, healthy dishes, fresh juices and the finest coffee. With playful dishes made from fruits, nuts and natural healthy sugars, Moon Shell makes vegan and vegetarian dining fun. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome.
experiencealula.com
Circolo
This authentic Italian restaurant, located in the beautiful AlJadidah District, which is bustling with art and activities, serves up a delicious menu of carefully crafted small plates, artisan pizzas from the wood-fired oven, and mains like citrus risotto and fried goat’s cheese salad with a blood orange dressing, black pasta lobster, and veal Milanese. Situated on the edge of the oasis, the valley and mountains provide a stunning backdrop, while the AlUla Oasis Trail is easy to access. mytable.sa
Acme
Acme’s signature burgers with colourful buns bring a fun new dining experience to AlUla’s Old Town, popular with adults and children alike. Menu favourites also include buffalo shrimp, plus healthy salads and vegan and vegetarian options. Acme is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. acme.sa.com
Somewhere
A farm-to-table concept has popped up in the new AlJadidah Village (Cultural Oasis District), part of the AlUla Oasis. The farm with outdoor restaurant can host 200 people and is ideal for families and children who want to spend time enjoying authentic Mediterranean cuisine in the shade of swaying palms. Somewhere is open from 4pm to 1am. Walk-ins are welcome, and parking is complimentary. experiencealula.com
Pink Camel Pastry Boutique
Nestled amongst AlUla’s famous date palms and citrus trees, this authentic coffee shop with traditional wooden architecture and floors offers terracestyle seating and recycled paper menus. It serves delicious coffee and pastries, as well as healthy soups and salads, and vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome. experiencealula.com
Wacafe
Pair mouthwatering croissants and scrumptious cinnamon rolls with meticulously crafted lattes and strong cold brews at Wacafe in AlUla Old Town. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome. wacafe.sa
Le Moulin Bakery
Delicate French pastries and fresh coffee are served all day long at Le Moulin Bakery in AlUla’s Old Town. Inspired by sophisticated French cafés, the bakery’s delicacies range from flakey croissants and moist cakes to classic madeleines. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome.
experiencealula.com
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE:
Salt overlooks the iconic Elephant Rock; Wacafe; Circolo; Somewhere
Salt
Salt is taking its food truck inspired menu off-road, parking its latest branch in front of AlUla’s iconic Elephant Rock. For juicy burgers and rich creamy shakes with a view, Salt is the place. No reservations necessary; walk-ins are welcome. Parking is complimentary at Elephant Rock.
experiencealula.com
Entrecôte Café de Paris
Entrecôte is the newest fine-dining venue in AlUla Old Town. Hailing from Geneva, the Parisian-style restaurant is famous for its ‘Café de Paris’ sauce, developed by famous Chef Boubier in 1930 with the recipe remaining top secret, even today. The restaurant, known for its simple but excellent single menu formula, opened for reservations last month.
entrecote.me
Homes for hire
Anna Skigin, CEO of property management rm, Frank Porter, says now is the best time to consider listing your property for short-term rental
ANNA SKIGIN CEO, FRANK PORTER
One thing many of us have learned over the past two years is that doing things di erently can be a very good thing. While change is hard, changes that lead to new bene ts become exciting. As the world begins to open, people are looking forward to new travel opportunities and new adventures. And that means that now is the best time to consider something new: listing your home for short-term rental.
Short-term rentals put the homeowner in charge Here’s how it works. You list your home for let on booking platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. As part of that listing, you decide availability. We recommend times when you are away on holiday with your family so you can get paid while you are travelling.
If you like getting paid without doing any work, just have a property management company such as Frank Porter take care of all the details for you. You will get paid and come back to a home that’s perfectly clean and ready to welcome you back. ere are no minimums for booking platforms, so even if you only want to have your home booked for a week or a few weekends a year, you can still enjoy the rewards.
Safe spaces with minimal contact encourage bookings Since the beginning of the pandemic, short-term rentals have increased in popularity. Having access to a private residence and all its amenities makes guests feel safer. ey have control over their environment, and don’t need to worry about sharing hallways and spaces with strangers.
Many also love being able to relax in a private garden or on a balcony and give their children the freedom to stretch their legs without having contact with others.
Dubai also remains a destination for medical procedures. ese medical tourism guests love the safety and comfort that a short-term rental provides and are always grateful for the bene ts that Airbnbs and VRBOs o er. For those who need special to provide the maximum protection for themselves and their guests. is programme is another way that short-term rentals give people the con dence to travel without worrying about cleanliness and safety.
Remote work employees love short-term rentals With people continuing to work remotely, short-term rentals have enjoyed a new surge in popularity. A er all, if you can work from anywhere, why not choose a new place every few weeks?
Remote employees make great guests. ey appreciate the amenities that come with short-term lets while bringing revenue to local areas. When they nd a place they love, they tend to rebook for another visit—it’s a great way to expand your income with guests while keeping in mind the dates when you are willing to make your home available.
And finally But perhaps the best reason that now is the time for short-term rentals is that there is no pressure. You’re always in control of when or if your property is available. It provides homeowners with total exibility. And if you decide you no longer want to rent out your home, you can simply remove your listing.
diets or are not able to dine out in restaurants, having access to a private kitchen is ideal. It’s also great for families who don’t want to chase busy children around a restaurant.
And then there are the cleaning protocols. At the beginning of the pandemic, Airbnb adopted an Enhanced Clean Programme. ese protocols give hosts very clear guidelines on how to clean their property
ABOUT FRANK PORTER Dubai-based Frank Porter Airbnb management services takes the hassle out of renting out your property on Airbnb and similar platforms, so you can sit back, relax and count your dirhams.
