We see you, Riyadh. You’ve worked hard all week and the weekend is your chance to unwind. Whether you’re looking to check out a new restaurant, get your culture fix or catch a movie, we’ve compiled a list of the best things to do this weekend.
There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Riyadh this weekend, so here are our top 10 picks to get you started.
Dig into the new menu at Vogue Café Riyadh
Strike a pose at one of Riyadh’s most fashionable cafés. At Vogue Café Riyadh, located in Riyadh Park, you’ll find food that looks as good as it tastes. The menu is filled with modern European dishes and has recently had new additions to menu including chicken sliders, chicken tacos, rigatoni chicken pesto and risotto beef sharwarma. Dress up and tuck in.
Open daily 8am-midnight. Northern Ring Rd, Al Aqiq, voguecafe.sa (05 381 7188).
Drink unlimted tea at Centro Olaya Riyadh
One good cup of tea can seem to have restorative powers, so imagine what would happen if you drink several. At Centro Olaya Riyadh’s High Tea, you can do just that, as it has a special offer where you can drink unlimited cups. Enjoy the tea in the lobby lounge or pool lounge, which has a view of the city and enjoy cute mini canapes, sandwiches and macaroons. A sweet way to spend the afternoon.
SAR 59. 4pm. 7590 Wadi Al Artwi, Al Olaya, https://www.rotana.com/centrohotels/kingdomofsaudiarabia/riyadh/centroolaya (011 835 2444).
Enjoy personal shopping at the Four Seasons
Ever had a staycation in your own city? At the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, you’ll feel like an A-lister in the capital. If you feel a splurge coming on, book yourself into one of the hotel’s redesigned suites. Not only do you get to check out its Saudi-inspired rooms, but anyone who checks into one gets access to Farfetch’s virtual sessions with a personal stylist.
From SAR5,025 per room per night. Center Point, 2239 King Fahd Road, Al Olaya, fourseasons.com/riyadh (011 211 500).
Get your cultural fix at Misk Art Festival
Here, Now is the title of this year’s Misk Art Insitute. The recently opened exhibition sees local and international artists responding to the theme of identity. There are plenty of Saudi artists, from Ayman Yossri Daydban to Filwa Nazer, in the line-up and we are excited to see their experimental work in different mediums, from sculptures to immersive installations.
Free (booking essential) Oct 3-Jan 31. Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall, miskartinstitute.org.
Go on a literary adventure at the Library of Imaginations
Riyadh International Book Fair has kicked off and has plenty of cool events taking place across the city. Let your imagination run wild at the Library of Imagination. Step into this immersive space, which brings to life world-famous characters from literature. Want to join Alice down the rabbit hole? Here you can.
SAR 30. To 10 Oct. Riyadh Front, riyadhbookfair.org.sa.
Have breakfast at the recently opened Ila
Ila may have only just opened, but it’s already becoming a go-to breakfast spot. Take your pick from breakfast dishes, which mix European and Middle Eastern flavours. Options include spicy spinach benedict, mushroom scramble and shakshuka dough. Ila says relax – the restaurant is giving off serious beach vibes with its airy space, wicker decorations and chilled out atmosphere.
Open daily 8am-3pm. Backyard Alysamin, instagram.com/iila.ksa (0503939432).
Shop at the newly opened Concept at Muse
Shopping just got a little bit more exciting. A Concept by Muse has opened in Riyadh Park and is celebrating local Saudi talent. Covering a massive 1,240 square metres and housing well over 1,200 products, you’re bound to found something that suits your taste. Brands include Level Shoes, Fila, Ex Nihilo and B8ta.
Gate 1, Ground Floor, Riyadh Park, conceptbymuse.com/ar-sa (800 301 0010).
View falcon-inspired artwork by Mawhub Art Gallery
While the Saudi International Falcon and Hunting Exhibition celebrates the best of falconry, with hunting and camping equipment, there’s also a chance to see artwork of the beautiful birds. Mawhub Art Gallery is participating at the festival with exhibitions of bird art by artists including Aniqa Shah, Baber Ahmed and Fatima Zia.
To 10 Oct. Saudi Falcons Club, Malham, sfhe.org.
Visit the new LPM restaurant
Next time you’re near the Al Faisaliah Hotel, make a beeline for LPM. We have waited patiently for the world-renowned LPM to come to Riyadh. Now that it’s finally swung open its doors, we recommend that you book yourself a table and taste its fine French food, from the cauliflower salads to ratatouille to snails with garlic butter.
Open Sun-Thu 12.30pm-3.30pm, 6.30pm-11pm. Fri 1pm-3.30pm, 6.30pm-11pm. King Fahd Road, Street No. 38, Al Motassem Street, Al Olaya, lpmrestaurants.com/riyadh (920 011 794).
Watch the Addams Family 2
Everyone’s favourite spooky family are back. You’ll recognise famous voices, from Charlize Theron as Morticia to Oscar Isaac as Gomez, bringing to life the characters. As the Addams parents realise that the kids are getting older, they round the family together for one last camping trip. Expect hilarious results, as the family go on a creepy and kooky road trip covering Niagra Falls and the Grand Canyon.
From Oct 7.
