What Does the Slow Food Movement Mean to Alula?

AlUla has embraced the slow food movement with open arms, making it an important pillar of its sustainable, regenerative growth. At the heart of this initiative is the newly launched Dadan Culinary Arts Centre, a beautifully designed haven where food, heritage, and mindful dining find a symbiotic balance with each other. But what exactly does the slow food movement mean for AlUla?

Here are five ways it’s shaping the future of food in this lush oasis in north-west Saudi Arabia.

  1. Celebrating the fundamentals of food
    The slow food movement emphasises seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, which aligns perfectly with AlUla’s deep-rooted food heritage. At the Dadan Culinary Arts Centre, traditional cooking methods and time-honoured recipes are revived, ensuring local flavours and techniques are preserved even as the city grows as a premium destination for dining.

    In the spirit of Saudi hospitality and the warmth, AlUla invites travellers to slow down and savour each bite of every meal. Whether enjoying a picnic of fresh produce and items picked from the Dadan Farmers Market or dining at the Centre’s Diyar Restaurant, AlUla encourages a deeper appreciation for food, where it comes from, how it’s prepared, and the people behind it.
  2. Supporting farmers and sustainable agri-tourism
    The Dadan Farmers Market, held every weekend, showcases the oasis’s agricultural abundance, from fresh dates, grown across millions of palm trees, to fragrant citrus fruits and organic vegetables. Every purchase directly supports local farmers, strengthening AlUla’s farm-to-table economy and fostering a closer connection between producers and consumers.
  1. The oasis-to-table dining experience
    The Diyar Restaurant, located within the Dadan Culinary Arts Centre, offers a new perspective on dining with dishes crafted from locally grown, sustainably sourced ingredients. Under the guidance of award-winning Chef Sergio Rama, visitors experience the essence of slow food in every bite.
  2. Immersive workshops for everyone
    Visitors can go beyond dining by participating in interactive workshops that celebrate AlUla’s food culture. Whether it’s learning the art of pickling and fermentation or discovering the many uses of moringa, these hands-on experiences offer a deeper understanding of sustainable practices.
  3. A global centre for eco-gastronomy
    The Dadan Culinary Arts Centre serves as a global hub for eco-gastronomy, connecting ancient agricultural wisdom with modern sustainability. Aligned with the sustainability principles that touch all aspects of AlUla’s tourism, culture, food initiatives, the new Centre ensures the city’s food culture continues to thrive for generations to come.

Click here to learn more about the Dadan Culinary Arts Centre