Best Restaurants in Makkah Clock Tower for Pilgrims and Tourists

In Saudi Arabia, the Makkah Clock Tower is the most popular area to eat. The Clock Tower is located in the Abraj Al Bait complex right next to Masjid al-Haram and attracts millions of visitors each year, whether they are pilgrims or tourists. This area offers visitors the closest access to the Holy Mosque, luxury shopping and a plethora of halal food options from traditional Saudi cuisine to fast food around the world.

Many pilgrims are seeking restaurants near the Haram because it is convenient when performing Umrah or Hajj. The food courts and fine dining establishments within the Clock Tower offer plenty of seating arrangements, a family-oriented atmosphere and stunning views of the Haram. This guide will provide a list of authentic and popular restaurants for visitors to choose from.

Why Restaurants in Makkah Clock Tower Are Popular

Restaurants within the Abraj Al Bait Complex continue to be popular due to their close proximity to Mecca. Pilgrims are able to dine conveniently and far away from the Masjid al-Haram. Many restaurants have late (after 10 PM) hours during the Ramadan in addition to both Hajj and Umrah seasons. Several restaurants operate 24 hours a day.

Also, visitors have an extensive variety of food options to choose from, including Saudi, Pakistani, Indian, Turkish & Arab, Burgers & Pizza, Seafood and desserts. In addition, the Restaurant at Clock Tower provides clean dining areas and fast service, which help families and the elderly usually stay together.

Al Tazaj: Famous Saudi Grilled Chicken

Al Tazaj is one of the most frequently visited dine locations at the Makkah Clock Tower. With its wonderful and beautiful dining room, high-quality grilled chicken, Arabic rice, and sauced condiments, many visitors from all over the world enjoy eating at this delicately created restaurant.

Al Tazaj provides food prepared using authentic Saudi-style grilling, with fast and convenient service allowing visitors to get food in between prayer times. Al Tazaj popular menu items include either Spanish rice or Arabic rice, garlic spreads and a large variety of grilled chicken platters.

Al Baik: the most loved fast food restaurant in Saudi Arabia.

Al Baik is one of the best fast food brands ever created in the Kingdom. Every year hundreds of thousands of International pilgrims travel to Mecca; almost all international people search for Al Baik in Mecca when performing Umrah.

Al Baik is renowned for its crispy fried chicken, seafood, and broasted chicken, which are affordable, making them popular with large families and travelling groups. Al Baik used to have extremely long queues during peak Umrah season, due to its overwhelming popularity.

Hardee’s and International Burger Chains

Hardee’s, a popular American-style fast food chain, offers customers quick service and a variety of chicken sandwiches, burgers, fries, and breakfast options. A group of international fast food chains, such as McDonald’s, KFC, or Burger King, are generally found in the Clock Tower and provide familiar tastes and menus for out-of-town travelers and pilgrims who want something quick to eat before or after long prayer times.

Pakistani and Indian Restaurants in Clock Tower

Makkah receives large numbers of South Asian pilgrims every year, so the number of Pakistani and Indian restaurants in the Clock Tower is very high. Dishes served at these restaurants include biryani, chicken karahi, butter chicken, naan, daal, and barbecue platters. For many Pakistani visitors, these foods remind them of home and the long journey to Makkah makes them feel good during their time there.

Some of these restaurants serve tea, paratha, and traditional breakfast items for pilgrims who stay in the hotels located next to the restaurants.

Turkish and Arabic Dining Experiences

Restaurants with Turkish Cuisine Inside the Clock Tower

Kebab, shawarma, Turkish bread, soup and mixed meat platters are available from Turkish restaurants inside the clock tower. These restaurants are popular with families as they usually serve large portions which can be shared between two or more people.

Restaurant with Arabic Cuisine

Arabic restaurants are still very popular; many places offer traditional Arabic dishes including mandi, kabsa, rice with lamb, hummus, mutabbaq. Many eating establishments also include windows that face towards Haramain (the two holy mosques) which helps provide an even more spiritual atmosphere while eating.

Cafes and Dessert Spots Near Haram

Cafes & Dessert Shops Around Haram

After they finish their prayers at the Kaaba and before they start their next prayer, many pilgrims look for cafes to have coffee and/or to buy snacks. Often these cafes serve Arabic coffee, cappuccino or arabian tea. They also serve fresh juices and desserts.

Most international coffee chains like Starbucks are very popular amongst those who like to have light snacks and sit in a comfortable environment. Other dessert shops sell cakes, dates, pastries and ice cream.

During Ramadan, these cafes experience a significant increase in customer traffic after Taraweeh prayers.

Food Court Options in Abraj Al Bait

For budget-friendly travelers, the food courts within the Clock Tower are a great option. A quick search for pizza, shawarma, rice meals, sandwiches and snacks will reveal that they are significantly cheaper than luxury restaurants.

The food courts also provide an excellent solution for larger families since each family member can choose a different type of cuisine to enjoy. In addition, the seating areas in the food courts are roomy enough to accommodate several people at one time, and there are elevators that go directly from the food courts to the hotels and shopping areas.

The food courts get very busy during the Hajj season, however the speed of service remains fast because multiple counters may be open at one time.

Tips for Dining in Makkah Clock Tower

To minimize wait times, pilgrims should consider dining in restaurants outside of normal prayer hours especially during busy weekends when many congregate after Isha prayer. Many restaurants in the area will not be available as a result of overcrowding during these busy hours. Families visiting the restaurants inside the Clock Tower should also familiarize themselves with the layout of the floor plan because of how large the complex is. Many, if not all, restaurants within the complex also provide a takeaway option so that pilgrims can enjoy their meals in comfort while they are in their hotel room.

When traveling to the area, pilgrims should bring along a cashless payment method, as most restaurants only accept international debit and credit card payments.

Makkah's Abraj Al Bait restaurants offer Umrah and Hajj pilgrims some of the best meals available. The convenience and variety of halal foods, along with international food franchises and the richness of Middle Eastern food, combine to provide pilgrims with an amazing selection of places to choose from for their meals, no matter if you are craving Saudi grilled chicken, Pakistani biryani, Turkish kebab, or fast food hamburgers; you will find it all within the Clock Tower.

The combination of spirituality and food at the Clock Tower restaurants is a memory that will last forever. You will be able to experience fine dining that is within minutes of Masjid al-Haram.