With so many coffee shops to choose from it can be tough to decide which is the best place to go to. Coffee shops are more than just a place to drink, they’re places to work, socialise and relax. Whether you’re looking for something hot to start the day or ice-cold while you chill with friends these venues are Riyadh’s best places for a coffee and bite to eat.
½ Million
Fuelled by a dream (and a few cups of coffee) two friends launched ½ Million in their hometown of Riyadh and its success has seen it not only become one of the best places for coffee in Saudi Arabia, but internationally too. It’s industrial décor and upbeat vibe makes it a great place to hang out.
From SAR 7. ½ M Coffee Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Al Olaya, halfm.sa (011 293 0451).
23M Café
A taste of the signature white chocolate espresso will soon have you coming back for more. 23M Café also serves their famous Big Turkish, which is in fact a blend of Brazilian and Colombian coffee, so whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or occasional drinker you’ll be able to appreciate the distinct aromas and flavours.
From SAR 8. 23M Café, 8817 King Abdullah Branch Rd, Al Wahah, (055 433 0230).
9th Street Coffee
Whether you like hot or ice coffee you’ll find your craving satisfied in this minimalistic coffee shop. As well as traditional Arabic coffee they also proudly serve Kenyan coffee where the beans are grown slowly at high altitudes providing more nutrients and flavour making it unlike anything else in Riyadh.
From SAR 9. 9th Street Coffee, 4050 6629 Imam Saud Bin Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Rd, Al Muruj, Riyadh 12282, 9thstreetroasters.com (050 044 9898).
Al Masaa Café
If you struggle to find a seat at popular coffee shops, you won’t have a problem in Al Masaa Café – it’s the world’s largest coffee shop. With 1,050 seats and a capacity to serve 1,000 people at a time, it has business and family sections but grab a table outside so you can enjoy views of the Kingdom Tower. It serves classics including Arabic coffee, Turkish coffee and date milk.
Open 6am-2am. Al Wurud, 12362, almasaacafe.com (050 543 2606).
Cacti
Fancy a flat white and a croissant at 3am? A visit to the 24-hour Cacti will see to that. Serving some of the best lattes in Riyadh, in what’s a cozy place to work or catch up with friends. Both floors are awash with cacti, modern art and potted plants making it a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
From SAR 9. Cacti, Ath Thumamah Rd, Qurtubah, instagram.com/cacti_sa (+966 55 674 7125).
Camel Step
For those looking for speciality this is the best place in Riyadh to visit. Arabic coffee comes by the bag full and you can even buy yourself a professional espresso package so you can brew the perfect coffee from the comfort of your own home.
From SAR 120. Camel Step, At Taawun, camelstep.com (092 000 0689).
Capri Café
Italians are serious about their food and drink, so when you enter Capri Café, you know you’ll be served a quality coffee. The sophisticated space has blue sofas and white tabletops, plus a beautiful indoor tree thrown in for good measure. While you might not make it to Southern Italy, you are getting a taste of la dolce vita.
Open 24 hours. As Sahafah, 8120 4002, instagram.com/capricafe_sa (053 383 5568).
Caoua
This is one of the best places for coffee in Riyadh, not just because of what’s on the menu but also because of the sunset views over the city. Located on the second floor, coffee lovers come here to enjoy a drink as day turns to night. The summery mojitos are particularly popular.
From SAR 12. Caoua, 3236 Ibn Ad Dubagh, Almasiaf 2nd floor, Near 8303, instagram.com/caoua.sa
Chunk Bakery & Café
Established in 2016 this bakery not only serves superb coffee but also sweet treats that will leave you feeling satisfied. As their name suggests, the servings are more than enough to keep you going. A cup of coffee is the ideal for washing down one of Chunk’s famous cakes, if there’s any left that is.
From SAR 70. Chunk Bakery & Café, Embassies District, Amr Bin Umayyah Al-Damari Street, Oud Square Complex, hellochunk.com (055 220 2042).
Draft Café
A Mecca for creative people this calming space get you in the right frame of mind to produce some of your best work. The cream caramel frappe with a Lotus cheesecake is a winning combination in our eyes. If that’s a bit too sweet they do also have a wide range of delicious sandwiches and salads too.
From SAR 10. Draft Café, 02 Oud Square, Amr Aldamri St, Al Safarat, draftthoughts.com (050 333 2856).
Elite Cup
Elite Cup, as its name suggests, is passionate about its coffee – not only does it sell coffee accessories but it also uses giant filters as decoration in its café. The industrial-chic space, with grey walls and black leather sofas, verges a little on the bachelor pad side, but as the staff take pride in every cup, it will satisfy even the most discerning customer.
Open Sun-Thu 6am-11pm, Fri 12.30pm-11pm, Sat 9.30am-11pm. Abi Dajanah, Al Mursalat, elitecuproasters.net (050 785 5589).
Elixir Bunn
Elixir Bunn is serious about its coffee, so much so that it sells filters and pots to help customers recreate the flavours at home. The Saudi-born business started in 2014 and has been pouring its way into local’s hearts one cup at a time. As one of the capital’s first speciality cafés, it now has four cafés in Riyadh and well-trained staff ready to serve you an exceptional cup of coffee.
Open daily 7am-11.30pm. Various locations including 7157 Salem Bin Maaqil Al Nakheel District, elixirbunn.com (920 01 3926).
Five Elephants
Come for the freshly brewed speciality coffee and stay for brunch. The sleek café, with exposed brick walls, dark wooden counters and murals of Saudi figures, is already a popular place for breakfast. The playful coffee menu includes a Spanish elephant, white elephant and golden elephant, all topped with fun coffee art. A seahorse on your coffee, anyone?
Open Sat-Wed 6.30am-midnight, Thu-Fri 6am-1am. King Abdul Aziz Rd, Alyasmin, mkan.me/five-elephants (055 560 1970).
hi
If you’re in the mood for a midnight snack with a cup of Spanish iced coffee look no further than hi. It’s one of Riyadh’s best places to hang around in during the early hours, as its doors remain open 24/7. They also do great sharing boxes of donuts, cookies and other goodies.
From SAR 10. hi. Al Mohammadiyyah, instagram.com/hi.saudi (055 222 7423).
IDMI Coffee Roasters
This is one of the best places in Riyadh to offer a variety of roasted specialty coffees from around the world. You’ll find Colombia Platano, Ethiopia Shakiso, Guatemala Rosario and more. They come by the bag so you’ll be enjoying the rich flavours for a few weeks at least.
From SAR 57. IDMI Coffee Roasters, No. 48, Al Olaya, idmicoffee.com (055 543 1422).
Karak Gholam
When your karak cravings need to be fixed, head to Karak Gholam as it has a dedicated karak menu – there’s a cerelac karak, smoked karak, karak corn flakes and ice karak. While the hot drinks menu includes a Spanish latte, French coffee and Turkish coffee. Pair your drink with a chapatti, which comes with sweet and savoury fillings, from Nutella to halloumi.
Open daily 7am-1am. 3394 7312 Khalifah Ibn Badi, Al Mohammadiyyah, 24353, karakgholamksa.business.site (011 236 0691).
MW Café
If the founder of MW Café, Mutah Beale, can swap thug life for mug life, then this coffee shop should be able to make anyone see the benefits of a good cup of coffee. Beale was previously a rapper in The Outlawz, a group founded by the late Tupac Shakur. In 2001, Beale converted to Islam and moved to Saudi Arabia. Since then he has been pouring everything from latte shakes to americanos, which you can accompany with sandwiches and salads.
Open Sat-Thu 7am-midnight, Fri 3pm-midnight. 4011 Abi Bakr As Siddiq Road, mwcafe.com (055 871 8540).
NOC Café
It’s been described as something from the Mid-West, USA and it’s easy to see why with it’s bustling hipster vibe and walls decked with art. The French toast is a popular accompaniment to a cup of coffee. They also host regular exhibitions, which draw a good crowd.
From SAR 25. NOC Café, Hittin King Khaled Road neighborhood, Square R, noccaffe.business.site (059 888 8895).
Pandemic Coffee
The dark décor and loud music make this stylish haunt stand out from other coffee shops in Riyadh. The iced pistachio latte along with the saffron iced latte are two of the most popular drinks on the menu. The delicious acai bowls are a healthy treat if you get peckish too.
From SAR 8. Pandemic Coffee, Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road, Muhammadiyah, instagram.com/pandemiccoffee (011 433 3433).
Sombrero
“Heal the world with coffee,” is the message on the wall of this bright and airy café. It’s a perfect place for a coffee with a difference; the staff all wear giant sombreros and a smile on their face as they serve an array of drinks with lots of milk options.
From SAR 8. Sombrero, 4086 Prince Muhammad Bin Abdulaziz Rd, As Sulimaniyah, instagram.com/sombrero_ksa.
Some Coffee
Some Coffee may be new, but is already gaining a strong reputation. The café is minimalist at its best, meaning you can just concentrate on how good its cups of coffee taste. The white interiors (including a white piano) are accentuated by green cushions, greener cacti and black tables. While the books for customers indicate that this is a spot where you are encouraged to take your time. Sip, relax, repeat.
Open Sat-Thu 7am-midnight, Fri 1pm-midnight. Front of Eat Ha, Al Ladhiqya Street, instagram.com/somecoffee.sa
Vida Art Café
It’s easy to spot Vida Art Café – it’s the one with the bright pink décor and cherry blossom tree. One of Riyadh’s newer cafes, Vida Art Café is great for those who have a sweet tooth. The drinks range from a Dolce de Leche coffee to frappe chocolate, while the dessert menu boasts pancakes, cookies and ice cream. You’ll be buzzing.
Open 8.30pm-1am. Front of gate , Al Nakheel Mall, instagram.com/vidaartcafe.sa (055 779 2416).
White Garden Café
Thanks to its premium coffee and location, this is a happening café. The elegant space boasts a chandelier, indoor tree and comfy emerald sofas. Whether you want French Coffee, Turkish Coffee or Arabic Coffee (with dates, of course), White Garden Café is always brewing something to suit every palate. Its cakes are just as wide-ranging and wonderful, from a red velvet cake to a saffron milk cake.
Sat-Thu 7.30am-12.30am, Fri 12.30pm-1am. Al Howaishel Tower, Wadi Al Artawi Street, whitegarden.co (011 462 7799).
