Along with the warming Iranian-Saudi political ties in recent years, Iranian cuisine has also had notable popularity in the Kingdom, much as it had previously with other Gulf States.
Although just five years ago, no Iranian restaurants operated in Riyadh, today more than ten percent of the city’s exclusive restaurants are Iranian, reported Al-Hayat daily. This share is expected to grow to 20 percent by the end of 2002.
Furthermore, prices at these establishments are relatively low compared with other exclusive restaurants in the region, ranging from 16 Saudi riyals (four dollars) per meal to SR 45 ($15).
Iranian investors apparently saw promise in Saudi Arabia’s upscale restaurant industry, which, according to statistics from the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, attracted total investments of 700 million Saudi riyals ($187 million) in the capital city alone. This figure excludes local fast food and public restaurants in the city. ― (MENA Report)
© 2001 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
