From world-renowned restaurants and favourite local haunts in Riyadh to lesser-known hidden gems in Jeddah, three tastemakers share their most-loved spots in Saudi Arabia.
Arwa Al BanawiFounder & Creative Director of Arwa Al Banawi
The ultimate place to be during weekends:
The beach!
Your favourite lunch/dinner place plus, dishes you would recommend trying:
Kuuru is my favourite place in Jeddah, it’s a blend of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. The nigiris and ceviche are my favourite thing on the menu, and the sliders too!
If vegan, favourite vegan eatery in Saudi:
Moon Shell is a lovely place to go for a coffee and enjoy one of their vegan bowls, my favourite is the açaí.
Favourite place for coffee/tea/matcha:
I love tea, and in Jeddah tea is done right. For me it’s my grandma Salma’s place – she makes the best tea. It’s prepared with lemon leaves that she grows in her garden or when it’s rose season in Taif which is about two hours away from Jeddah, you can add that with mint tea.
Saudi Arabia’s best-kept secret:
That would be Jeddah’s old town, Al Balad. Just walk around and visit the local cafeterias, the old town of Jeddah has so much heritage and stories, for example, my great-grandfather’s house is over 100 years old now. Thankfully the new vision of Saudi is to restore all the buildings in the old town and give it a contemporary take while keeping all of its old homes. It’s magical and you feel it the second you arrive, you can buy local produce, local perfumes, and some traditional kaftans, also the “mistaka bukhour” is found there, we burn it with charcoal, it is believed in our culture to purify the space from bad energy and you can buy it in the old town souk. It has a beautiful scent. A treasured hidden gem that only locals know and love: The beach islands, there are many and you go about 20 minutes by boat from the marina.
A go-to wellness spot:
I usually get my spa treatment at home; the best is Polish Salon.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience to try:
Our traditional way of cooking is usually fried local fish with rice made with special spices and herbs and a fresh salad with tomatoes and cucumbers. On other occasions, a special coffee we call “qahwat loz” is traditionally made at the beginning of the Islamic New Year, and it’s made with almonds, milk, and cardamom. It’s a tradition we have at my grandma Salma’s house.
Other spots you’ll recommend to friends when visiting Saudi:
Shangri-La Hotel is a beautiful place overlooking the sea, I recommend their tea time, snorkelling and diving in Jeddah is a must for those who love to do that.
Hala AbdallahJewellery Designer & Founder of Ofa
The ultimate place to be during weekends:
There are a lot of amazing things to do in Boulevard Riyadh City and Bujairi Terrace.
Your favourite lunch/dinner place plus, dishes you would recommend trying:
For the best food I’d say LPM for fine dining, and Amigos for the best casual Mexican restaurant.
Favourite place for coffee/tea/matcha:
There are so many places, but I think Starbucks always wins!
Saudi Arabia’s best-kept secret:
I highly recommend Flour & Firewood for a breakfast or brunch experience in Riyadh.
A treasured hidden gem that only locals know – and love:
Waking up early in the morning to go to Wadi Hanifah is so worth it!
A go-to wellness spot:
I will recommend Al Faisaliah Spa by ESPA.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience to try:
A once-in-a-lifetime experience is to hike the edge of the world during winter in Riyadh and visit AlUla on New Year’s Eve.
Other spots you’ll recommend to friends when visiting Saudi:
I can recommend people to visit a Saudi home and eat with them or learn how to make a local dish with them, you can do that through Hihome.sa platform. That is an experience like no other.
Lina MalaikaFilm Maker & Cultural Consultant
The ultimate place to be during weekends:
I’m fortunate enough to live in Jeddah which is located on the coastline of the marvelous Red Sea. As an avid sea lover, I make it a point to spend every weekend at the beach, it’s my nature sanctuary. The sun, sea, salt, and sand, help me unwind and fuel for the rest of the week.
Your favourite lunch/dinner place plus, dishes you would recommend to try:
My favourite lunch spot in Jeddah is definitely Acqua E Sale, a new authentic Italian spot located in Al Rawdah. I love their vegetarian pesto lasagna and lobster Caesar salad. My favourite dinner spot has to be Kuuru, a local Japanese- Peruvian fusion concept. It’s my go-to whenever I have any guests visiting my city and it never disappoints! I highly recommend their lemon truffle salmon nigiri and Najel ceviche.
If vegan, favourite vegan eatery in Saudi:
My go-to is Moon Shell with an all-day breakfast menu. I love their “Sunrays” açai bowl, but I also add their homemade peanut butter. For the savoury option, I highly suggest their vegetable rice rolls. The Nabati vegan ice cream is guiltfree, delicious and definitely worth trying!
A treasured hidden gem that only locals know — and love:
Homegrown Market in Jeddah. It’s a meticulously curated concept store that offers local fashion brands, jewellery, artisans, books, collectibles, and gifts. You can never leave empty-handed!
A go-to wellness spot:
As for anything wellness related, I always opt for home services. For hair blowouts and nail treatments, I use The Spa KSA. For facials, the best in Jeddah is located at Spa Lounge and for massages, Spa Day – my favourite masseuse is Apple.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience to try:
A once-in-a-lifetime experience would definitely be midnight stargazing and the sunrise hot air balloon experience in AlUla during the winter. I highly recommend a weekend getaway to AlUla.
Other spots you’ll recommend to friends when visiting Saudi:
One of the most underrated spots in Saudi is the south region, Asir. The highest peak is located there, Al Soudah, as well as Rijal Almaa, an ancient village located in a valley and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Also, visiting the art museums dedicated to the Asiri art is an experience not to be missed. The artisans and craftsmanship are very inspiring. The entire region is rich with culture and heritage on many layers. Another recommendation would be to visit the Taif region during the springtime and flower festival season.
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