When hearing “Who run the world?” it’s only natural for the word “girls” to follow. It’s so much more than having a famous song about it. Forget about Beyoncé for just a moment. You just need to take a look at the incredible women-run businesses in Saudi that showcase this, from simple amazing chocolate stores with a luxurious twist to ventures offering curated beauty products, women are coming up with concepts that meet our needs through products, services and other interesting ventures you need to check out. These female entrepreneurs come from all walks of life and experiences: local, expat, succeeding solo, forming a business with family, starting at uni or switching careers. The diversity and stories results in concepts all the more interesting.
Additionally, these female-fronted enterprises are supporting the talent behind the females of the country, with many brands devoted to expanding the role of women by maintaining a unified front of growth, creativity and all-over innovation. Can we get a shoutout for that? Here are some of the outstanding women-founded concepts in Saudi you need to show your support for.
Aseel Collection
A clothing brand developed by Aseel and Suha Al Zamil, Aseel Collection has made its way into the big leagues when it comes to women-run businesses in Saudi with items being sold at Harvey Nichols, Chique La Boutique, So by Sora Saud and Raya Galleria. The local brand specialises in modern, conservative wear that is all about embracing the wearers’ sense of standout style. The design house
is also known for creating stellar and elegant abayas.
Riyadh. @aseelcollection / aseelcollections.com.
Buttermilk
Four Saudi relatives, sisters Abeer Abdullah Saad Al Saud, Latifah Abdullah Saad Al Saud, Anoud Abdullah Saad Al Saud and cousin Sara Abdullah Faisal Al Saud, came up with the idea to develop Buttermilk, one of the top women-run businesses in Saudi with a local concept centered on creating a space for people to make memorable experiences through food. The eatery serves classic Southern American dishes, incorporating the charm and hospitality of the region it draws its foodie roots from. Menu items include lollipop chicken, chicken ‘n’ waffles, mac ‘n’ cheese, fried okra, and more.
Open Wed-Mon 7am-midnight, Tue 7am-11.30pm. An Nakheel, Riyadh @buttermilk.sa.
Chez Bruno
The truffle-lover’s restaurant has expanded from its hometown in Lorgues, France to have an in international outpost in Riyadh. The woman leading this top women-run businesses in Saudi’s new Bujairi Terrace restaurant is general manager Laurie Bost. She moved from France to Saudi to join Majd Food, and has been managing the Chez Bruno brand for one and a half years. If you love anything and everything truffle, this is likely your spot. And Bost will ensure you’re looked after with her dedicated to customer service.
Open Sat-Wed 1pm-11pm, Fri 2pm-11pm. Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah, Riyadh, @chezbrunoksa.
Homegrown Market
It says it all in the name. Homegrown Market is a Jeddah-based go-to shop for the latest designs of local Arab talents. Founded by fashion enthusiast and entrepreneur Tamara Abukhadra, the concept developed as a three-month trial project, and it has since bloomed into the success it is now. The space selects brands that cater to different customer bases and preferences, each presenting its own unique fashion identity. The store stocks local brands like Kees Chic, LaSuna, and SemSem, continuing in its journey and determination to support Saudi designers’ passion, talent and skill.
Open Mon-Sat 10am-2pm; 5pm-10pm. Ar Rawdah, Jeddah. @homegrown_market.
Mona Mosly
Mona Mosly is a Saudi chef who received her culinary training in Switzerland before moving on to the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu in London. Mosly was also judge and host on MBC’s Top Chef seasons one through six. She most recently seriously elevated the Saudi in-cinema dining experience by introducing a specially curated menu to VOX GOLD cinemas allowing movie-goers to enjoy more than the typical popcorn, pop and nachos. Check out the menu at VOX Gold Cinemas across KSA and tuck into innovative dishes like kibbeh nachos, chicken bao and Armenian tabbouleh while watching the latest blockbuster.
Available at VOX GOLD Cinemas, including Jeddah and Riyadh, ksa.voxcinemas.com / @chefmonamosly.
Mirza Chocolate
Shaimaa Mirza is a chocolatier and founder of what started as a home-based business in Jeddah, Mirza Chocolate. A prideful success for women-run businesses in Saudi, her love for chocolates and creating sweet treats of the highest quality spawned the business, and now Mirza offers some of the best, most artistic premium-quality chocolates. The brand is dedicated to serving three chocolate types including Arabesque (chocolates with Arabian flavours like ginger and spices), the Bon Bon, and of course some chocolatey truffles. These are almost too pretty to eat. “Almost” is the key word here.
Open Mon-Sat 5pm-11pm. Obhur, Jeddah, @mirzachocolate.
MZN Body Care
MZN Bodycare is a Saudi brand created by Muzon Ashgar. The home-grown enterprise is focused on offering natural body care products that are high quality but don’t come at high prices. MZN strives to be affordable, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly with its range. A top-pick for women-run businesses in Saudi, the brand was launched in 2016, and it can now be found in stores like Whites. Supporting the growth of females in business, MZN is an all-female facility made at the hands of capable women who are passionate about the brand’s values. MZN defines itself as “a brand from the region to the region. A brand by women, for women”.
mznbodycare.com.
Nakhati
Nakhati opened its doors in Riyadh in 2022, and it is a female-run gelato concept supporting women entrepreneurs. Nakhati, which means “my flavour”in Arabic, prides itself on serving proper gelato made with natural and local ingredients with techniques well-known and used in Italy. The An Nakheel space is a recent addition to women-run businesses in Saudi acting as a social and creative hub by collaborating with designers, artists, digital nomads, social media figures and local brands. Furthermore, Nakhati hosts workshops, events and classes. Eman is the Saudi foodpreneur and culinary director behind the growth of Nakhati in the Kingdom, and she has supported and launched variety F&B businesses, and has mentored young entrepreneurial women.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-midnight. Fri 3pm-midnight. An Nakeel, Riyadh, nakhati.com / @nakhati.ksa.
Oishii Sushi
Khulood Olaqi began creating the concept of a Saudi sushi brand as a side project during her days at university in 2013. With the support of her husband Farid Tawfik, Olaqi has become a self-taught sushi connoisseur who practised the art of rolling and wrapping maki, slicing sashimi and filleting and deboning fish by watching YouTube videos. She later attended London’s Cordon Bleu Academy to further level up her skills.
Oishii Sushi was officially launched in 2018, and it is now located in As Sahafah. The restaurant is open from noon to 11.30pm on Monday to Wednesday, noon to 1am on Thursday to Friday and noon to 11.30pm on Saturday. The branch is closed on Sunday.
The menu offers a stellar variety of maki rolls including spicy salmon and mains like veggie noodle and pulled beef sliders.
As Sahafah, Riyadh, oishiisushi.sa / @khuloodolaqi.
Pattern
Among the women-run businesses in Saudi is female-owned Pattern will likely have you wanting to buy more than a few pieces to revamp your space. A trendy concept stop located in As Sulaimaniyah, the space offers everything from art and fashion to home and lifestyle picks. It’s the kind of place that will have you browsing for more than a few hours. Supporting local brands, the Riyadh-based space houses brands like Try Claw, Not Boring, Real Self, Things by Haa, and more.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-midnight, Fri 4pm-midnight. Prince Abdulaziz Ibn Musaid Ibn Jalawi Street, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh, @pattern_saudi.
Personage
A success-story for women-run businesses in Saudi and one of the first concept stores to open in Riyadh, Personage is owned by Her Highness Princess Deema bint Mansour Al Saud. Creating a community of fashion, the cutting-edge concept store is a solid supporter of local and international brands. Princess Deema was determined to create a space for the creative youth of the Kingdom. The area hosts pop-up shops, art exhibitions and musical performances. Personage is all about showcasing the true concept of Saudi fashion. The space consists of three floors housing a clothing floor, a café floor and a top floor for rotating artistic displays, music, painting, photography and fashion. Get inspired.
Riyadh. personage.sa.
Plenty
A unique space in the city, Plenty is one of the women-run businesses in Saudi owned by Saudi philanthropist Ameera Al Taweel. Offering everything from food to shopping and beauty and grooming, Plenty is home to brands like Japanese restaurant Gokasakana, Noise hair salon, and an ice cream shop called Linen Pot. The welcoming area is open from 7am to 1am from Sunday to Wednesday, noon to 2.30am on Friday and 7am to 2.30am on Thursday and Saturday. It’s best to come with a shopping list.
Open Sun-Wed 7am-2am, Thu 7am-2.30am, Fri noon-2.30am, Sat 7am-2.30am. MEFIC Centre, Riyadh, @plenty_sa.
Takya
A Time Out Riyadh Restaurant Awards 2022 winner for Best Saudi Restaurant, Takya is a Saudi fusion spot with a brand-new venue in the luxury foodie destination, Bujairi Terrace. The eatery is known for its shareable dishes with great views overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Turaif. Cofounded by sisters Hadeel and Hissa Al Motawa and Nada Al Qasabi, Takya takes you on a tour of Saudi Arabia’s provinces and plates up tasty morsels. We’re talking haneeth, smoked lamb rack and rice with a sauce so good you’ll want swim in it, and parcels of cheese and tomato mutabaq that are elevated by a tangy tomato and lemon marmalade.
Open Sun-Wed 4pm-1am, Thu-Sat 1pm-1am. Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah, Riyadh, @takya_sa.
So matcha
If you’re constantly glued to online beauty tutorials, you’re probably already one of Yara Alnamlah’s 1.3 million tribe. With a diary busier than BTS’ tour schedule, Alnamlah somehow managed to find time to open So Matcha, an Insta-worthy hangout for tasty whisks of everyone’s favourite powered green tea. Get the matcharistas to whip you up a deliciously sweet Into The Sky before snapping a Selfie under the “I love you so matcha” neon light.
Open Sat-Wed 6am-midnight, Thu 6am-2am, Fri 4pm-2am. Boulevard World and Shorofat Park, An Nada, Riyadh, @somatcha.me.
The Styling Co
Taking her passion for styling to the next level, Muneera Bubshait is the CEO and founder of The Styling Co., a Khobar-based fashion, styling and image consultancy agency. The Styling Co. showcases a passion turned into one of the top women-run businesses in Saudi offering workshops, courses as well as one-on-one consultation sessions, helping brands, production companies reach their intended target audience.
Online. thestylingco.com / @muneerabubshait.
Torbastudio
You know a fashion brand means business when it creates its own muse. And the veiled character fashioned from the minds of Nazek Alkhulaifi and Sara AlAmmel is certainly a talking point. The ethos here is modestwear with an injection of modernity, Personage has already got TorbaStudio in the bag (natch), but you can check out the designs in the brand’s own TorbaSpace before buying online.
Open Sat-Wed 4pm-midnight, Thu-Fri 5pm-1.30am. Hittin, Riyadh, torbastudio.com (966 55 614 7578).
Wabi Sabi
Founded in 2019 by Abeer Al Mutlaq, Wabi Sabi is a vegan restaurant in the Saudi capital creating hearty and imaginative dishes that promise to satisfy all. Wondering about the name? Wabi Sabi, means to find beauty in every aspect of imperfection.
Positioning itself as one of the top women-run businesses in Saudi, the eatery extended its branches to Dubai and also opened a store and outlet in Riyadh and Dubai called WS Closet. The plant-based eatery is dedicated to reimagining food and offering a new outlook on vegan eating and food. The founders aim to build a meaningful and sage space for customers to connect through healthy food while also enjoying a unified atmosphere of celebrating similarities and individualistic preferences.
Open daily, 7.30am-midnight. As Sulaimaniyah, Riyadh, wabisabiksa.com.
Villa Mamas
If you’re after comforting home cooking, but getting some proper home cooking just isn’t an option at the moment, a trip to Villa Mamas should do the trick. Villa Mamas is meant to be a grander version of founder Roaya Saleh’s home, and consequently she (and the team) treats every guest like her own as she and the staff whip up nourishing meals with local, seasonal, fresh and organic ingredients.
Looking at the family photos as you nosh on a meal of modern Middle Eastern food, and any levels of homesickness, could likely disappear, too. The OG location is in Bahrain, but Saleh is bringing home-cooking across the GCC with locations in Abu Dhabi, London, and now in Riyadh.
Open daily, 4pm-1am. Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah, Riyadh, villamamas.sa.
