As the weather cools down, warm desserts step up to the charge on Riyadh’s sweet scene. For those in the know, hanini is what they’re heading straight for, and you’re going to want to seek out the absolute best hanini in Riyadh.
Not a clue what we’re talking about? It’s time to get acquainted. Hanini is a traditional Saudi dessert made of dates, brown flour and better, often with popular spices including cardamom and saffron mixed in, though recipes tend to vary from cafe to cafe, and family to family.
But enough talking about it, here’s where (apart from grandma’s house) to eat the best hanini in Riyadh.
66Cups
One of the most Instagrammable cafés in Riyadh, this place is known for its minimalist interior. 66Cups serves the nostalgic dish in an unconventional way, in a coconut style bowl and topped with a rich layer of the caramel sauce. You can enjoy the dessert with one of the signature lattes like the saffron or go full Saudi and order the hometown-inspired Saudi latte.
Open Sat-Thu 8am-1am. Fri 1pm-1am. U Walk, King Saud University, 66cups.com
Hanini
When a place names itself after the dish it serves, it has a lot to live up to, and Hanini doesn’t disappoint. Hanini serves the Saudi treat in numerous ways, you can enjoy the dessert in the authentic way topped with pecan nuts, or you can also have it topped with Oreos and Lotus syrup. If you’re looking to enjoy this warm winter treat in the summers, then you can also have it topped with vanilla ice cream too.
Open Sat-Wed 4pm-midnight. Thu-Fri 4pm-1am. Prince Muhammad bin Saad bin Abdulaziz Road, Hittin, instagram.com/hanini95/
JLab
If you’re looking for authentic Saudi sweets all year round, make a beeline for this spot. With a traditional majlis-style interior, JLab serves treats like kashd, museeb, and of course hanini. The hanini is served on a skillet topped with walnuts and is one of the tastiest on the list.
Open daily 5pm-11pm. Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road, Hittin, instagram.com/jlab.sa/
Magnolia Bakery
All the way from New York, Magnolia Bakery is finally open in Riyadh. Famous for its banana pudding, Magnolia Bakery has combined the two favourites to make the hanini banana pudding. (Be still our beating hearts.) Also on the menu is a delicious hanini cheesecake, which topped with a tasty caramel sauce and chopped pistachios to really put the cherry (or rather the pistachios on top). If you’re looking for modern twists on an old classic, this is definitely the place for you.
Open Sat-Thu 10am-midnight. Fri 1pm-midnight. The Zone, Takhassusi Branch Rd, Al Mohammadiyyah, instagram.com/magnoliabakeryksa
Suhail
Fancy Saudi food in a traditional setting. Suhail’s take on Saudi cuisine is the perfect balance between modernity and tradition. They have a gorgeous outdoor seating area if you want to enjoy your treat alfresco. If you’re looking to impress someone special, this is definitely the place for you. The hanini cheesecake combines layers of Saudi date sweets with a thick biscuit base and generous lashings of cardamom caramel sauce.
Open Sat-Thu midday-1am. Fri 12.30pm-1am, Northern Sub-Ring Road, Al-Nakhil, instagram.com/suhail_saudi
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