You’ll be pleased to discover that you can purchase most items in Saudi Arabia, either in the Saudi Aramco community or in a nearby Saudi Arab town. There are, however, some items not available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in accordance with Muslim beliefs. These items include pork and alcohol and products containing pork or alcohol.
As a Saudi Aramco employee living in the Eastern Province, you’ll find that trips to the towns of Dammam and Al-Khobar become a regular part of your expatriate life. We provide frequent bus transportation to these towns, free of charge, from all Saudi Aramco communities.
Other, smaller, Saudi Arab communities where you can shop are Medinat (near Abqaiq), Rahimah (near Ras Tanura), and Hofuf (near Udhailiyah).
Groceries
Each of our Saudi Aramco communities feature a commissary similar to your current neighborhood grocery store. And, while you’ll be looking forward to the flavors of a new country, they sell a range of imported as well as local produce.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are plentiful. Eggs, milk and other dairy products are supplied by local farms and dairies, while imported meat can be purchased fresh or frozen. The commissaries also stock several varieties of fresh and frozen, local and imported seafood, frozen and canned food, spices, herbs, bakery items, bottled water and general household items.
Other items
If you need to buy clothes or other essentials, or just want to treat yourself, you’ll enjoy a trip out to the shopping malls in Al-Khobar and Dammam. You’ll find a number of international stores selling anything you or your family might need, and you can expect to pay similar prices to those of your home country. Familiar names include the Body Shop, Liz Claiborne, GNC, Toys R Us, Next, Gerry Weber, Wallis, Adams, BHS, Bally, DKNY, Oasis, Top Man, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Nine West.
Other items you’ll be able to buy in either Al-Khobar or Dammam include cosmetics, perfumes, sporting equipment, jewelry, pharmacy items, housewares, brass and copper, oriental carpets, stationery supplies, electronic goods and cameras.
Dining Out
In the Saudi Aramco Community
When you fancy a change from preparing a meal at home or want to meet up with friends, each Saudi Aramco community has a central dining facility. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they offer cafeteria-style service and a choice from a range of reasonably priced meals. Or, if you’re in a hurry, you can grab something to eat from one of our snack bars.
In Dhahran, the Tandoori House, serving Indian and Chinese food, offers both a lunch time and ‘a la carte’ evening menu.
Outside the Saudi Aramco Community
If you’re looking for a wider choice, or have an occasion to celebrate, we can recommend many good restaurants in the local towns. Here you can enjoy a selection of cuisine, such as Italian, Middle Eastern, Korean, Thai, Indian, and Chinese. There are also some excellent hotel restaurants.
Well-known establishments, such as Starbucks, Cinnabon, Olive Garden, KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, Baskin Robbins and Pizza Hut are also available in local towns. Also, many fast food restaurants offer a home delivery service to the Saudi Aramco community main gate.