Are you ready for a new week, Riyadh? Don’t worry if you’re not, we have just the plans to help ease you into the next seven days. Be it new Riyadh Season events and or a cool car festival, here are the top things to do in Riyadh this week.
Celebrate Saudi designers at Saudi Design Festival
Celebrate local artists at Saudi Design Festival, which is created by the same group behind Saudi Design Week. The festival brings together shopping experiences with cool concept stores and local fashion designers, as well as exhibitions and food trucks.
January 9-29. instagram.com/saudidesignfestival
Dine in style at IL Baretto
London’s Il Baretto has come all the way to Riyadh and is the very first restaurant to open in the King Abdullah Financial District. This newly opened restaurant is making its mark on Riyadh already, and it has an intimate indoor seating area, as well as a gorgeous outdoor terrace for an alfresco dining experience too. Enjoy authentic lasagnas and, if you want to be a little classier, try the lobster linguine.
Open daily 12.30pm-3.30pm, 7pm-1am. KAFD 5.08, 2822 – 6591, ilbaretto.sa (920 012 508).
Eat dinner with a show at Billionaire Riyadh
Luxury restaurant brand Billionaire, founded by Formula 1 legend Flavio Briatore, is famous for its signature entertainment, and it is now bringing that to the capital. It recently hosted the world-famous DJ David Guetta, and it’s now welcoming other great singers and dancers.
Open daily 6pm-1am. Dabab Street, Sulaimaniya billionairesociety.com.
Enjoy some time off at Tips and Toes
The spa is designed in a Balinese (land of the calm) style and boasts up to 3,680 square feet of accessible luxury oozing from every corner. The spa has gorgeous bamboo cabinets, LED-lit ceilings, plush beds and sofas, plants hanging from ceilings and just all the comfort vibes you could possibly need, plus an extensive menu ranging from manis to massages.
Open daily 11am-9pm. Amlak Wathiq for Real Estate, Showroom no. 4&5, Blg 222, Al Malqa, tipsandtoes.com (053 342 2291)
Go shopping at Es’Pace
Es’Pace is bringing you 100 different homegrown fashion brands that are putting a creative spin on traditional Saudi looks. Mahalatkom, previously an online-only company, is behind the store and aim to provide exclusive luxury. In-store, it carries brands like TorbaStudio, Vega Styles, Angel Dust, and so many other high-end luxury Saudi brands for your wearing pleasure.
tickets.riyadhseason.sa
Munch on a great sandwich at Wister
Looking for a cool new chicken spot to satisfy all your cravings? Wister just opened its doors and is on the fast track to becoming one of Riyadh’s top foodie locations. It serves up delicious chicken bowls, sandwiches, and its sauce is absolutely to die for.
Open daily 1pm-2am. Anas Ibn Malik Rd, Al Malqa, instagram.com/wister_sa
Sip coffee at Riyadh’s new favourite cafe Ashjar
As the weather finally cools down, Riyadh has found a cool new hangout spot that everyone has been raving about. It has gorgeous outdoor seating with wick chairs, beautiful tables, delicious coffee and sweet treats.
Open Sat-Wed 6am-1am.Thu 6am-2am. Fri 4pm-2am. Prince Mohammed Ibn Salman Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Ar Rabi, ashjar.sa (050 237 8262).
Speed into the Autoville Motor Festival
Vroom vroom, Riyadh. Calling all car fanatics, this one’s for you. Autoville Motor Festival is coming to Dirab Motorpark and is celebrating everything to do with cars. The biggest festival of its kind in Saudi Arabia, it aims to provide car enthusiasts of all age groups with a fun-filled motoring experience.
January 8-14. Dirab Motor Park. autoville.me
Step into Winter Season at Glaze Craze Doughnuts
Glaze Craze is definitely getting into the whole winter cosy vibe. Serving up delicious hot chocolate bombs, gingerbread cakes, and if you’re feeling a little chilly order one of their hot s’more lattes and you’re set. The doughnuts are winter-themed with amazing details like edible leaves on a chocolate doughnut.
Open Sat-Wed 8am-12am Thu-Fri 8am-1:30pm, 7089 Abi Bakr As Siddiq Rd, An Nada, glazecrazedonut.com (050 366 8032).
Take part in the How I Met Your Mother trivia at Syrup Lounge
Calling all How I Met Your Mother fans, this ones for you. If you’re looking for the next thing that goes up on Barney’s blog, this one might take the cake. Grab a few friends and high-five your way to first place.
From SAR45. January 10. 9038 Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Abdul Aziz Road, syrup.sa (011 228 8006).
Visit the newly opened Rootura
Eat yummy healthy and organic food at Rootura. The restaurant serves up tasty pizzas, pastas and so much more. The place itself is such a pretty spot, with numerous lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling and a shop where you can buy merchandise on the ground. And for the beauty lovers, there is a great selection of beauty products.
Open daily 10am-10pm. Al Takhassousi, Ar Rahmaniyyah, instagram.com/rootura.sa/
Watch The 355 in cinemas
Always loved an all-star rival get-together to bring down the bad guys? Well, we have just the film for you starring Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz and Diane Kruger. The 355 are the top female spies of the world and when they find out that a deadly weapon has fallen into the hands of the wrong people, they will do everything in their power to get it back.
In cinemas January 13. ksa.voxcinemas.com/movies/the-355
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