Al Baik

No Makkah guide is complete without Al Baik. The Saudi fried chicken chain that people genuinely get excited about, every single trip.

What to order

Broasted chicken meal — crispy, juicy, garlic sauce on the side. The classic for a reason.

Shrimp meal — the sleeper hit that regulars know about.

Fish fillet — solid, but let's be real, you are here for the chicken.

Branches near the Haram

Clock Tower — P4 food court, steps from the Haram. Full menu. Busiest branch — expect long queues after prayer times.

Jabal Omar Mall — 3rd floor food court, ~5 min walk. Limited menu only — boneless chicken, nuggets, and fillet sandwiches. Does not serve the famous bone-in broast. Still perpetually packed.

Makkah Tower — central Haram area. Limited menu (nuggets and sandwiches only).

Kudai — 5-10 min by car. Full menu. The least busy option — significantly shorter queues, especially after Fajr. If you want the real broast experience without the wait, this is the move.

Al Aziziyah — on Al Masjid Al Haram Road, ~10 min by car. Full menu. Opens earliest at 6:30 AM.

Our take

Not the best food in Makkah, but an essential experience. Eating Al Baik after Tahajjud is a core Umrah memory. Absurdly good value. Just know that the branches closest to the Haram are express outlets with limited menus — for the full bone-in broast chicken, head to Kudai or Al Aziziyah.

Good to know

• 15-20 SAR for a full meal
• Most branches open ~10 AM to 2 AM; hours extend during Ramadan and Hajj
• Queues can hit 30-45 minutes at peak times — go right after Fajr for the shortest wait
• Haram-area branches (Jabal Omar, Makkah Tower) are express/limited menu only
• For the full menu with bone-in broast, go to Clock Tower, Kudai, or Al Aziziyah