Where We Are Going Today: Under 500

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Lean beef burger at Under 500. (Supplied)
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Chicken burrito bowl at Under 500. (Supplied)
3 / 5
High protein pink pasta at Under 500. (Supplied)
4 / 5
Honey mustard salmon bowl at Under 500. (Supplied)
5 / 5
Tuna sandwich at Under 500. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Under 500

  • Both their soups, the lentil and the roasted tomato, are wonderful; I’ve been enjoying pairing either one with a main (a combo special Under 500 offers)

A place for all the gym rats and diet fiends, Under 500 offers fairly tasty meals complete with nutritious goodies, all of which are, well, under 500 calories.

I’ve quickly grown fond of this cloud kitchen — I won’t tell you it is the most delicious food you’ll ever have, but would absolutely recommend it if you want good meals that will leave you feeling energized and satisfied.

They have a wide selection of options; pasta, sandwiches, salads, bowls, rice meals, soups and some breakfast options.

First things first; all of their food smells amazing. They definitely load it up with spices to kick up the flavor since they are being conscious about what to put in it.

Both their soups, the lentil and the roasted tomato, are wonderful; I’ve been enjoying pairing either one with a main (a combo special Under 500 offers). The lentil, though it may need an extra pinch of salt and pepper, gives you a little taste of home while the roasted tomato is creamy and packed with Italian flavors.

They also add fresh kale to the lentil soup, an unusual choice I was a little iffy about but have grown to enjoy for its texture.

Another favorite is the grilled chicken burger, topped with a chipotle mayo, tomato salsa, guacamole and sauteed mushrooms in a multi-cereal bun. Be warned that it is a little messy, but very tasty.

Also recommended is their cheesesteak sandwich, made with tenderloin beef strips and topped with grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms, mixed peppers and mild cheddar cheese in a whole wheat baguette; perfectly good and enjoyable.

Their chicken quesadilla is also not a bad choice for a light meal — a little thinner than I would like maybe and I wish the salsa was spicier, but I did enjoy the flavors of this dish.

Now their hot meals; while yet to try their pasta, I have become well acquainted with the rice dishes.

The kabsa, chicken tikka biryani and their famous butter chicken are all solid picks. For me, the best out of the three is the butter chicken, which comes with a small side salad made up of cucumbers, tomato and pomegranate seeds (again, unusual choice but I don’t mind it).

A meal I would not order again is the chicken mushroom with mashed potatoes — the chicken and sweetcorn mash were good and so were the steamed vegetables on the side, but the mushroom sauce was not the right taste at all — much too tangy and no true mushroom flavor.

I have been recommended the steak and eggs and the honey mustard salmon bowl, and have to say the salmon quinoa looks very interesting with the grilled vegetables on the side; all of which I look forward to trying.

Overall, will Under 500 blow your mind? No. Will you find yourself reordering from it because of its reliability, decent cost, health factor and pretty good flavors? Yes, so try it out.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Nakhat Marga

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Updated 21 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Nakhat Marga

  • For the main course, the menu offers a variety of meat and chicken dishes, but the must-try is madhgout laham, a flavorful one-pot meal of spiced meat slow-cooked with rice and served hot

Nakhat Marga, with locations in Al-Naeem and Al-Waha in Jeddah, is a restaurant that focuses on traditional Saudi meat and broth dishes, making it a fitting choice to celebrate Saudi Founding Day. 

The menu is structured around classic dishes, offering a wide selection of meats, chicken, and accompanying sides that reflect the culinary heritage of the Kingdom.

We began with jareesh, a creamy, savory porridge, and marqa, a slow-cooked stew of tender meat, onions, garlic, and different spices, simmered to create a rich broth. 

For the main course, the menu offers a variety of meat and chicken dishes, but the must-try is madhgout laham, a flavorful one-pot meal of spiced meat slow-cooked with rice and served hot.

If you are looking for other rice options, red meat madhbi is cooked in a traditional style, with muqlaqil and maknoom offering familiar tastes that many in Jeddah would recognize from home-cooked meals. 

Among the chicken dishes, kabli stands out for its balanced flavor, but the must try is the maqluba which is served in a generous portion, layering rice and chicken in the classic inverted style. The taste is so good that you may end up eating more than you expected.

Side dishes such as liver and moussaka were consistent with their descriptions and went well with the mains, not too heavy or filling. I also tried the yogurt cucumber salad, which offered a simple, cooling contrast to the heavier meat dishes.

Desserts such as basbousa are served with a dipping sauce, while marsa, made from semolina, sugar, butter, and flavored with cardamom, is similar in texture to basbousa but may vary slightly in ingredients and taste different.

Aseedah is a must-try when visiting, delivering a comforting taste of Saudi cuisine with its soft, traditional porridge served with butter, honey, or date syrup.

The restaurant’s atmosphere leans more toward functional but traditional dining rather than an elaborate experience, which keeps the focus on the food itself.