Najil
Grilled or fried
{{item.title}}
In short
A fishing family's restaurant since 1949 in Souq Bab Makkah on the edge of Jeddah's UNESCO-listed Al Balad. It is a busy, traditional stop for grilled or fried Red Sea fish, hamour above all, eaten in or taken away.
Al Basali Seafood is an old-style fish restaurant in Souq Bab Makkah, on the eastern edge of Al Balad, Jeddah's historic old town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 1949 by a local fishing family, it suits visitors exploring Al Balad who want grilled or fried Red Sea fish in a busy, traditional setting.
Choosing your fish and how it is cooked
You pick a fish from the fresh display and choose grilled or fried. It comes with sayadiya rice, and the house serves white and brown spiced rice. An attendant at the fish stall, an order taker and runners keep moving between the ground-floor and first-floor dining rooms. Salad, water and the house sauces arrive without being ordered.
Hamour, shrimp tajin and other dishes
Hamour and najil are the local fish most diners choose. The Al Basali shrimp and calamari tajin is baked in a clay pot, and hareed is a local fish brushed with Indian spices and grilled. Food can be taken away as well.
Gault&Millau score and walking from Bab Makkah
Gault&Millau Saudi Arabia scores Al Basali 11/20 in its 2026 guide. Taxis drop off at Bab Makkah, the old gate, and it is a short walk through the market lanes. A late lunch leaves the afternoon for Al Balad's coral-stone houses.
–/5
No reviews yet
Been to Al Basali Seafood? Your review helps other diners choose.
HoursOpening hours not listed yet
Dine-inTakeaway
Payment options
Payment options not listed yet.