7 Traditional Kuwaiti Food You Have to Try

Imagine arriving in Kuwait with only two days to spend, then spending them in malls and on the corniche, and returning without tasting a single dish of authentic Kuwaiti cuisine! 

Many visitors fall into this trap because Kuwait impresses you with its modern side, making you forget that its restaurants and markets hide a food heritage that stretches back hundreds of years. 

Let us guide you through 7 popular Kuwaiti dishes you must try before you return; otherwise, you may have visited Kuwait without truly experiencing it.

Travel to Kuwait flexibly with Mixfly from almatar

To avoid any complications in your flight schedule from Saudi Arabia to Kuwait, the almatar app offers Mixfly, a service that allows you to choose one airline for your outbound flight and a different airline for your return flight.

You can compare more than 500 airlines and choose the most suitable times for your budget and travel plans.

Kuwait, the undisputed capital of Gulf cuisine

Kuwait is not just a destination for shopping and towers; it is a country deeply rooted in popular restaurants thanks to its maritime history and trade with India, Persia, and East Africa. This is what gave traditional food in Kuwait a flavor you will not find anywhere else.

From Al Mubarakiya markets to the Salmiya Corniche, you will find chains such as Freej Swaileh, Dar Hamad, and Mais Alghanim serving thousands of visitors every day. Here, heritage is served to you on a plate.

List of 7 famous Kuwaiti dishes you must taste

1. Kuwaiti Machboos: the first national dish

Machboos is Kuwait’s national dish, and the word “machboos” originally comes from “makboos” in the local dialect. Its history goes back centuries, influenced by the spice trade with India and Persia.

It consists of basmati rice with meat, chicken, or shrimp, along with cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, loomi (black lime), and saffron.

It is served at banquets, weddings, and Eid celebrations, and one of the most famous places to try it is Freej Swaileh Restaurant in Salmiya, on Salem Al Mubarak Street.

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2. Jareesh: the dish of winter and gatherings

Jareesh is made from crushed wheat, chicken or meat, tomatoes, and loomi. It differs from its Saudi version in its red color and thick texture.

Its history goes back to Bedouin times, when wheat was one of the basic crops. Today, it is served during Ramadan, winter, and large family gatherings.

You can find it on the menu of Dar Hamad Restaurant in Salmiya, on Arabian Gulf Street, next to Marina Mall.

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3. Harees: the king of the Ramadan table

For Kuwaitis, Harees is the king of the table. It is whole wheat cooked with meat over low heat for 5 to 6 hours until the two blend, then served with local ghee, cinnamon, and sugar.

Its origins go back to ancient wheat-based dishes in the Arabian Peninsula, and it became strongly associated with Ramadan and Eid Al-Adha. In the past, families used to distribute it to neighbors.

You can find it in heritage restaurants on Tunis Street and in Hawally, as well as at chains such as Freej Swaileh and Dar Hamad.

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4. Zubaidi Mutabbaq: the masterpiece of the Kuwaiti sea

Mutabbaq is fluffy rice seasoned with turmeric, loomi, and cardamom, served over or under fried zubaidi fish that has been marinated in lemon and turmeric.

Zubaidi is considered the king of Gulf fish, and this dish reflects Kuwait’s maritime character and historic port.

It is usually served at Thursday and Friday gatherings, and you can try it at Freej Swaileh Restaurant in any of its four branches: Salmiya, Qurain, Jahra, or Mubarakiya.

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5. Grilled shrimp: the treasure of the Gulf

Shrimp is one of the pillars of Kuwaiti food because of the country’s proximity to the rich waters of the Gulf. It is seasoned with turmeric, garlic, lemon, and coriander, then grilled over charcoal for just a few seconds to keep it tender.

It is served at summer gatherings and by the sea, and one of the most famous places to try it is Dar Hamad Restaurant in Salmiya, on Arabian Gulf Street next to Marina Mall.

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6. Grilled hammour: the king of seafood grills

Hammour is a famous Gulf fish known for its tender white flesh. In Kuwait, it is served either grilled over charcoal or as hammour mutabbaq with spiced rice and caramelized onions.

Historically, Kuwaitis relied heavily on hammour fishing because it was available year-round.

One of the oldest places to try it is Mais Alghanim Restaurant.

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7. Darabeel dessert: an authentic Kuwaiti ending instead of sweet marqooq

For dessert lovers, Darabeel is the final stop of your tour, not Kunafa.

It is a traditional Kuwaiti dessert made from flour, powdered sugar, and cinnamon, then rolled into a cylindrical shape resembling a “darabeel,” a telescope that Kuwaiti sailors used in the past.

It is served with tea or milk in winter and on special occasions. The most famous producer is Al Watan Sweets in Shuwaikh Industrial Area 2, with branches in The Avenues and Mubarakiya.

It is a sweet that carries the story of the sea and the desert in one bite.

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Book now and pay later with almatar

If your budget feels tight after all the circumstances in the region, almatar, in partnership with Tabby, lets you book your flight ticket and hotel to Kuwait and split the amount into 3 or 6 payments through the Installments plan, with no fees and no credit card required.

Conclusion: your trip to Kuwait starts here

Kuwait will not wait, and the taste memories you will collect there cannot be replaced.

Book your trip now through the almatar website and app, use Mixfly and the Installments plan with Tabby, and download the list of the seven dishes to your phone.

Get ready, the first restaurant is only one trip away.

FAQs about famous and popular Kuwaiti dishes

What is Kuwait’s national dish?

Kuwaiti machboos, a spiced rice dish with meat, chicken, or shrimp, is served at weddings, Eid celebrations, and official occasions.

When is the best time to visit Kuwait to try popular dishes?

Ramadan and winter, from November to February; during this period, you will find dishes such as harees, jareesh, and tashreeb widely served. Book your trip early through almatar to get the best prices.

What is the best way to get the cheapest flight to Kuwait?

Book early and use Mixfly from almatar, which allows you to choose a different airline for your outbound flight and another one for your return flight to get the best price and most suitable time.

Can I book a hotel and flight in installments from Saudi Arabia?

Yes, through almatar’s partnership with Tabby, you can split flight and hotel bookings into 3 or 6 payments with no interest and no credit card, according to the Installments plan from almatar.

What is the most famous street for popular Kuwaiti restaurants?

Salem Al Mubarak Street in Salmiya, Arabian Gulf Street near the marina, and Souk Al Mubarakiya in the heart of Kuwait City; three destinations that bring together many names from Kuwaiti cuisine in one place.

Related Topics from almatar Blog: 

• Best Restaurants in Kuwait You Can’t Miss
• Best Places to Visit in Kuwait
• Top 5 Star Hotels in Kuwait