Best Restaurants in Kuwait 2026

Machboos (Kabsa)

Kuwait's national dish — fragrant basmati rice cooked with meat or fish in a rich broth of dried limes (loomi), tomato, and Gulf spice blends. The chicken or hammour (grouper) version is most traditional. Every Kuwaiti family has a slightly different recipe.

Where to try: Freej Swaileh (Salmiya), Soor Street traditional restaurants, home-cooking tours

Price: KD 3-8 ($10-26)

Harees

A slow-cooked ancient porridge of cracked wheat and meat (usually chicken) simmered for hours until it reaches a smooth, comforting consistency. Seasoned with cinnamon and saffron, harees is served at weddings, Ramadan iftars, and special occasions — a dish that predates Kuwait's statehood by centuries.

Where to try: Traditional Kuwaiti restaurants and during Ramadan at Ramadan tent dinners

Price: KD 2-5 ($7-16)

Mutabbaq Samak

Whole Gulf fish (typically zubaidi or hamour) baked with a spiced rice and caramelized onion stuffing. The dish showcases Kuwait's deep fishing heritage and is considered the ultimate Kuwaiti seafood experience, combining the flavors of the sea with aromatic Gulf spices.

Where to try: Waterfront seafood restaurants, traditional Kuwaiti eateries

Price: KD 5-10 ($16-33)

Luqaimat

Addictive bite-sized fried dough balls drenched in date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Kuwait's most beloved street food dessert is sold from carts in and around Souq Al-Mubarakiya. Eat them hot — the textural contrast of crispy exterior and pillowy interior with sweet date syrup is irresistible.

Where to try: Street carts near Souq Al-Mubarakiya, traditional sweets shops

Price: KD 0.5-1 ($1.50-3) for a portion

Balaleet

Kuwait's unique breakfast dish combining sweet vermicelli noodles cooked with sugar, rose water, cardamom, and saffron, topped with a fried egg. The sweet-savory combination sounds unusual but tastes exceptional — a true Kuwaiti culinary identity marker.

Where to try: Traditional Kuwaiti breakfast eateries in Souq Al-Mubarakiya, local cafes

Price: KD 1.5-3 ($5-10)

Shawarma

Arguably Kuwait's most popular street food — marinated chicken or meat shaved from a rotating spit and wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce, pickles, and tomato. The quality varies enormously; the best stands near Souq Al-Mubarakiya draw queues of Kuwaitis.

Find it at: Stands near Souq Al-Mubarakiya on Abdullah Al-Salem Street, shawarma shops throughout Salmiya and Hawally

Falafel and Hummus

Gulf-style falafel — lighter and more herb-forward than Egyptian varieties — sold in sandwiches or on plates with creamy hummus. Many Lebanese-run falafel shops have been in business for decades and are considered institutions by Kuwait City expats.

Find it at: Lebanese restaurant takeaway windows throughout Kuwait City, particularly in Salmiya and near the souq

Fresh Pomegranate Juice

Kuwait's most refreshing street drink — pomegranates pressed on the spot by vendors using manual extractors. Particularly popular in and around Souq Al-Mubarakiya and along the Salmiya waterfront in evenings.

Find it at: Souq Al-Mubarakiya juice vendors, evening food stands along Jaber Al-Ahmad Street

Samboosa

Crispy fried pastry triangles stuffed with spiced minced meat, onions, and herbs — Kuwait's version of samosa. Available from traditional pastry shops and market vendors, particularly popular during Ramadan when they appear at every iftar table.

Find it at: Traditional pastry shops within Souq Al-Mubarakiya, bakeries throughout Kuwait City

Qouzi (Slow-Roasted Lamb)

Whole lamb slow-roasted over rice with nuts and spices, sold by weight at specialist traditional restaurants. While not strictly street food, it's sold simply and eaten communally — the most celebratory and social of Kuwait's traditional meat dishes.

Find it at: Traditional Kuwaiti restaurants specializing in grilled meats, some food festival vendors

Souq Al-Mubarakiya Food Section

The food section of Kuwait's oldest market is a sensory journey through Gulf culinary ingredients — heaped sacks of saffron and dried limes, fresh herbs, traditional spice blends (bezar), and traditional sweets including halwa and various date preparations. Vendors will let you smell and taste before buying.

Hours: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM daily

Kuwait City Fish Market (Souq Al-Samak)

Adjacent to Al-Mubarakiya, this wholesale and retail fish market sees Kuwaiti fishermen unload daily catches of Gulf fish before dawn. By 7 AM the market is in full swing with hammour, zubaidi, shrimp, and crab sold fresh. Nearby restaurants will cook your purchase for a small fee.

Hours: 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM daily (best before 8 AM)

Al Wafra Farmers Market

Kuwait's main agricultural zone in the south produces seasonal vegetables, herbs, and some fruits in greenhouse farms. A small producers' market in Al Wafra (85 km from Kuwait City) sells fresh local produce directly, though it requires a car to reach and is more of a curiosity than a practical shopping destination.

Hours: Mornings Thursday-Friday, seasonal