Best Broast in Makkah
أفضل بروستد في مكة
2 min readUpdated 30 Sept 2026
If there is one meal visitors associate with Makkah, it is broast. Crispy on the outside, juicy inside and served with garlic sauce, it has become part of the pilgrimage experience for millions of people.
What is broast?
Broast is chicken marinated, coated and cooked in a pressure fryer. Pressure frying cooks the chicken faster and at a lower oil temperature than open frying, keeping the meat moist while the coating turns crisp. The name comes from the 'Broaster' pressure-fryer brand developed in the United States in the 1950s.
AL BAIK: the Hejaz legend
AL BAIK was founded in Jeddah in 1974 and grew into the best-known restaurant brand in western Saudi Arabia. Its broast, shrimp and garlic sauce are so popular that queues at the Makkah branches near the Haram are famous. For many years AL BAIK operated only in the Hejaz region, which is why visitors made a point of eating there.
Other broast and fried chicken options
- AL TAZAJ — known for charcoal-grilled chicken as well as fried options.
- KFC and Texas Chicken — international fried chicken chains.
- BROASTECH, Faroj Abo al-Abed, Chickees and Mazag Al Farog — local chicken specialists.
What a typical broast meal includes
- Four pieces of chicken (spicy or regular).
- Fries.
- A bun.
- Garlic sauce and sometimes coleslaw.
Skip the queue
The most famous broast branches near the Haram can have long waits after prayers. Order through Feast Makkah and have your meal brought to your hotel lobby.
Frequently asked questions
What is broast chicken?
Chicken that is marinated, coated and cooked in a pressure fryer, making it crispy outside and juicy inside.
When was AL BAIK founded?
AL BAIK was founded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 1974.
Is broast different from fried chicken?
Yes — broast is pressure-fried, which cooks the chicken faster and keeps it moister than regular open frying.
