Celebration of Saudi: Interactive Tour to Experience Saudi Arabia’s Gastronomy and Cultural Heritage
5.0
102 Ratings
Riyadh
Embark on an interactive tour of Saudi Arabia to discover its vibrant gastronomy and rich cultural heritage. Learn traditional crafts, blend spices, and indulge in a feast for the senses.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Najd Village - Celebration of Saudi offers a fun, interactive cultural immersion experience, highlighting the best of Saudi culture and traditions, finishing with an exceptional Nadj feast.

Begin the evening by engaging in a lesson on how to dress in the traditional Saudi shemagh and jewellery (hama) before taking a seat with your fellow diners. Next, learn about the ancient spice routes and put your sense of smell to the test, in a spice identification game.

Next up learn how to blend Saudi Arabia’s #1 spice mix to use on your food and take as a souvenir.

Watch the ancient techniques of preparing traditional smoke-infused water from the south of the kingdom before learning the steps required to make traditional Arabic coffee.

What follows is a sumptuous, multi-dish Najd regional feast that is sure to delight your tastebuds and fill your stomach, with the history and origins of each dish explained, with a lesson in Saudi dining etiquette.

To finish enjoy a tasting of some of the award-winning honeys of the Aseer region, before choosing your favorite to enjoy with dessert, ending with a traditional tea and incense class before heading home.

What's Included
  • Dinner
  • Carbonated beverages
  • Tea and coffee
Meal Options
  • Jareesh - A centuries-old combination of coarse wheat and meat
  • Margoog - A hearty meat and vegetable stew seasoned with various spices and dried limes.
  • Gursan - Paper-thin sheets of bread atop meat and vegetables in a broth, until the bread pieces soak up all of the flavorful juices.
  • Sweet Sabeeb - Small whole wheat pancakes that have been dipped in honey and butter.
  • Qishd - Seedless whole dates sauteed in flour and butter to create a sweet and delicious dessert.
  • Sambosas - A fried pastry filled with a savory filling.
Additional Information

Celebration of Saudi is the perfect introduction to Saudi Arabia, offering guests a fun and interactive tour of the kingdoms gastronomic highlights, while showcasing the kingdoms cultural heritage with hands-on activities designed to entertain as well as educate. From learning how to fit your own Shemagh or Hama (Arabic jewellery), to blending your own spices and infusing smoked water, Celebration of Saudi is not just a feast, it’s everything the first time visitor needs to experience

  • Unusual dietary restrictions may be difficult to accommodate
Location
Najd Village
King Abdul Aziz Branch Road
Enter the main entrance of the northern Riyadh Najd Village restaurant, ask for “Celebration of Saudi” at the front desk and you will be taken to the first floor where our private room and guides await.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(102 Ratings)
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Pianimal
Feb 21, 2024
Quite the Saudi Surprise! - Very well designed, guided and cooked. I really didn’t know what to expect when I signed up, but I’m so glad I went. They told me they have experiences in other countries too - I genuinely can’t wait to go to another!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyager37120517218
Feb 12, 2024
Outstanding experience - It was an amazing experience to go from learning about the saudi clothes and wear the shmag and then learn about the spices and try them in the saudi way then get to smell the famous saudi spices in a small funny game and then to try the saudi dishes and lastly to try the magical tea. Rich of new informations, rich of history, and rich of delicious food Amazing experience and I would really recommend it to anyone specially who are not from Saudi Arabia.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
856raghavs
Feb 10, 2024
Engaging and knowledgeable. - The experience was amazing. It was very well organised, lot of attention was given to small small things and were explained quite clearly. The guide, Mohammad Al Qahtani, was very well spoken, aware of the subject and kept the audience engaged.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kier1912022
Feb 3, 2024
Saudi experience - From Mohammed our host learnt about Saudi spices and food including honey plus other surprises during the evening. Great intro to Saudi.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M5797uujohannab
Feb 3, 2024
Saudi Culture at its best - This was an excellent experience. It was highly informative and enjoyable. I would highly recommend it. The food was absolutely delicious
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrishm2728pk
Feb 3, 2024
Fantastic introduction to Saudi culture! - Had a great experience at Najd Village, our guide Mohammed was a delight, very knowledgeable and proud to showcase the best that Saudi has to offer; Honey tasting, spice blending, story-telling and extending the true hand of friendship. Highly recommend - I learned a lot!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Discover506527
Feb 3, 2024
Celebration of Saudi was a great celebration - What an amazing experience with the very great guide Mr Mohammad Al Qahtani for insightful informations and make it fun
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Asd6666
Feb 3, 2024
Johana - Amazing experience thank you very much Very good food Very good ppl Have nice weekend guys I would recommend this experience for all tourist in Riyadh
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ajolly4x
Jan 28, 2024
Best Culinary Experience hands down! - I am so glad we moved our dates around to accommodate this experience. This was not your typical food tour, where you try multiple foods one at a time with little interaction. Instead, this was a full-on presentation, a show and tell, and a deep dive into history that captivates your every sense. It began with our historians, Hasan and Mohammed, who graciously explained Nadj and Boudin cultures. They taught us about the significance of their daily wear, including their headwear and the throbes. They explained the Saudis' influence on the spice trading routes. We got to make spices to take home. We used our senses to identify the correct spices and smelled different aromas. We learned how to make real Saudi coffee from scratch. And the best part was the delivery of the culinary spread. We ate traditional Saudi food, including camel and eight other items. We were beyond stuffed. Hasan and Mohammed made the experience so enjoyable with their witty sense of humor, patience, and willingness to answer any questions we had. Our family had a fantastic time and will return to do it again on our next voyage to Riyadh!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Challis
Jan 27, 2024
Informative, engaging and delicious! - This tour was fabulous! We learned about Saudi spices, coffee making, how to sit and eat at a traditional meal (which was so delicious!), cultural traditions, natural toothbrush, Oud and tea! The tour guides were so personable, relatable and happy to answer all our questions! It was an enjoyable evening and well prepared. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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