The Saudi hospitality industry, including the restaurant industry, is booming. With billions of dollars in investments in tourism and hospitality, these sectors are expected to witness significant growth in the coming years.
Fueled by the Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom’s hospitality sector has already exceeded its goals, with tourism's GDP contribution reaching 11.5% in 2023, surpassing the 2030 target of 10%, according to a JLL KSA report.
But what does this mean for the Saudi restaurant and dining scene?
Though a part of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Saudi’s restaurant and dining trends are quite different from neighboring counterparts like the UAE and Qatar.
Join us as we explore Saudi Arabia’s restaurant and dining trends for 2025 and beyond. How does this market differ from its neighbors in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the MENA regions? How does Saudi Arabia stand out? What does it have in common with other markets?
Let’s find out.
Saudi restaurant and dining statistics
The Saudi dining scene is broad with fine dining establishments, traditional and family restaurants, and uptick in quick-service restaurants (QSRs). There’s also a shift from fast-food to fast-casual dining.
The Saudi Arabian General Authority for Investment (SAGIA) expects an increase in annual spending by 6% in the coming 5 years.
A restaurant trends report shows Saudi Arabia’s fine dining restaurant sector is expected to reach $5.9 billion in revenue by 2025. This marks a significant increase from 2020 revenues which were estimated at $1.2 billion, according to Statista.
This growth in the fine dining segment is backed by “a young population, increased incomes, and a shift in consumer lifestyle,” Nour Yamout Katanani, Director of Marketing and Communications at Advanced Tastes Holding Group told Campaign Middle East.
Another F&B segment that has been gaining traction in the kingdom is the QSR segment.
As noted in a recent restaurant trends report, Saudi Arabia’s QSR market is projected to reach $16.62 billion by 2033, up from $9.23 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 6.78% between 2025 and 2033.
Factors supporting the growth of Saudi’s QSR market include rapid digitization, shifting customer preferences, the growing middle class, and tourism growth. A tech-savvy population, increased use of mobile ordering and delivery services, and government support for food businesses are also factors.
The QSR market includes local restaurants and global fast-food options.
General restaurant industry trends in Saudi Arabia
Based on recent restaurant trends reports and market forecasts, here are the top trends shaping Saudi Arabia’s restaurant industry.
The biggest driver? Consumer behavior and a tech-savvy customer base.
Increase in pickup over dine-in
One of the top Saudi restaurant trends we’ve been seeing in 2025 has been the increase in pickup over dine-in experiences.
Driven by busy lifestyles and a desire for convenience, many restaurants are adding pickup locations and limiting their dine-in concepts to major cities.
Higher interest in contactless payments
With a growing tech-savvy population comes the need for contactless payment solutions. QSR and fast-casual dining concepts are offering tap-to-pay solutions using QR codes and interactive waiter tablets and apps.
Cloud kitchens are on the rise
Fueled by the fast-paced growth of food delivery along with a growing interest in convenience, dark kitchens are also increasing. This type of kitchen focuses on food preparation for delivery and doesn’t have front-of-house operations.
Cloud kitchens are gaining popularity in cities like Jeddah and Riyadh.
Increase in customer loyalty programs
With the rising number of QSRs and fast-food joints, including homegrown restaurant brands, there’s an uptick in restaurant loyalty programs in the kingdom.
Research shows the Saudi loyalty programs market recorded a (CAGR) of 11.6% between 2019 and 2023. It’s expected to reach $1.59 billion by 2028.
New labelling standards for food content
As mentioned, the Saudi government is a contributing factor to the growth and transformation of the Saudi restaurant sector.
As of July 2025, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has mandated that all types of dining concepts must showcase calorie counts on their print and digital menus. The aim is to help consumers make more informed decisions about the foods and beverages they consume.
The regulations also include indicating salt and caffeine content.
Digital menus and self-service tech adoption
Saudi restaurants are embracing digital and QR menus as well as self-service technology to streamline operations and boost customer convenience.
Digital solutions like self-ordering kiosks minimize human error, ensure order accuracy, and automatically promote add-ons and higher-margin items, ultimately reducing wait times and enhancing the dining experience.
Restaurant dining trends in Saudi Arabia in 2025
As for in-house dining trends for Saudi restaurants, here is what we are seeing in 2025 and beyond.
More focus on personalization
The world is turning to more personalized experiences and restaurants offer a unique opportunity for personalization. And Saudi guests expect a personalized dining experience too.
This varies from personalized messaging and marketing strategies to customized menu recommendations based on previous orders, among others.
Saudi concepts that rely on robust restaurant customer relationship management (CRM) systems, with features like auto-tags for segmentation offer many personalization opportunities.
Using restaurant reservation management systems and automated guest surveys to enhance future experiences as well.
Further reading: How to Use Personalized WhatsApp Messages for Your Restaurant
Increased focus on social media impact on dining experiences
From restaurant discovery to deciding where to eat based on each restaurant’s marketing strategy to pushing for "Instagrammable" aesthetics, enabling real-time feedback, and leveraging user-generated content.
Besides personalization, there’s a growing interest in how social media impacts dining. From making online bookings via platforms like Facebook and Instagram to engagement with food bloggers and influencers.
Interest in vegetarian, vegan, and healthy food
Backed by a growing interest in healthy eating and living, more Saudi consumers are turning to healthy food options. This includes interest in vegetarian and vegan restaurant concepts.
Emergence of home-grown restaurant brands
Besides the presence of many global F&B brands, an important Saudi dining trend is the rise in homegrown F&B brands. Saudi consumers are exploring local brands with local foods and flavors.
Despite being small, these homegrown brands are competing directly with international restaurant concepts and chains. Particularly, those focusing on health and sustainability.
More interest in ‘casual fine dining’ concepts
With diners opting for healthier and more engaging meal experiences, there is a clear shift toward fast-casual restaurants.
This segment, known for offering higher quality food and a better dining experience than traditional fast food, is set for significant growth.
Looking ahead: What’s next for Saudi Arabia’s restaurant scene?
Driven by its Vision 2030 and tech-savvy consumer base, Saudi Arabia is consistently reshaping its restaurant and dining scene.
From the surge in fine dining and quick-service restaurants to the widespread adoption of digital solutions and loyalty programs, the kingdom is establishing its unique culinary identity.
Looking ahead, personalization, social media, healthy options, and innovative homegrown brands will shape Saudi Arabia's dynamic food scene, setting it apart in the MENA region.
Nada Sobhi
Updates
