It’s the start of a new week and we’re here to help ease you into it with a little TLC and a whole lot of amazing activities. Whether you’re looking for your next cultural fix, new film releases or cool coffee shops, here are our top picks of the best things to do in Riyadh this week.
Celebrate Saudi art at Saudi National Museum
Hot off the celebrations for Saudi National Day, the Saudi National Museum is still waving the flag for the country. We don’t expect anything less. Visit the museum’s exhibition, Evidence of Art, which showcases Saudi talent.
Open Mon-Thu, Sat 8am-8pm, Fri 4pm-8pm, Sun 8am-2pm. Historical Center، King Abdul Aziz، Al Murabba, https://www.instagram.com/saudimuseum (011 402 9500).
Dig into the new menu at Vogue Café Riyadh
Strike a pose at one of Riyadh’s most fashionable cafés. At Vogue Café Riyadh, you’ll find food that looks as good as it tastes. The new 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.
Open daily 8am-midnight. Northern Ring Rd, Al Aqiq, voguecafe.sa (05 381 7188).
Dress up and join an anime gathering
If you know your Harley Quinn pigtails from your Deadpool bodysuit, then you’ll be excited to hear that Syrup Lounge is hosting an anime gathering. You are encouraged to dress up as your favourite character and join like-minded people. There’ll be competitions, trivia and merchandise on sale.
SAR50. 8pm-midnight. Oct 18. Open Thu 9pm-midnight. 9038 Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Abdul Aziz Road, syrup.sa (011 228 8006).
Drink pumpkin flavoured lattes at Dr Cafe KSA
Riyadh knows how to make a good cup of coffee. To mark the change of seasons, Dr Cafe KSA has launched its new autumn menu, which fits perfectly well for the run-up to Halloween. The new menu includes iced pumpkin latte and spiced pumpkin latte.
Makkah Al Mukarramah Road, As Sulimaniyah, Abi Al Arab Street, drcafe.com (0800 122 8222).
Feel the stretch in a private pilates class
Kore is one of the leading gyms in Riyadh and offer classes for everything from kickboxing to dance classes. If you’re not one for group classes and don’t want to sweat it out infront of others, book a session with one of its personal trainers and schdule the class to suit you.
From SAR250. Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13515, kore.sa (920 00 1434).
Join a muay Thai martial arts class
Riyadh Combat, which launched in 2016, offers sessions in a more varied assortment of martial arts practices, from jiu-jitsu to kickboxing. The muay Thai classes are pretty popular and the centre has carved out a niche for itself as the go to place for the discipline. Get fit and have fun.
October 17, 18, 21, 6.30pm-8pm. Khalid Ibn Al Walid Street, Al Hamra, instagram.com/ry.combat (056 071 1891).
Learn about theatre at Al Mashtal Creative Space
If you’ve ever watched a play and wondered what it takes to actually put it together, you’ll be excited to hear that this workshop lets you learn about the backstage shenanigans. In the workshop, you’ll be given the tools to develop your own immersive theatre experience. Curtain up, Riyadh.
SAR1,495. October 23-25, 7pm-9pm. 8982 P St, Diplomatic Quarters instagram.com/p/CU5cBjDIFiG (055 444 7499).
Pick up a paintbrush at Enchanted Centre
Enchanted Centre hosts art classes for beginners where you can learn to paint your very own masterpiece. Designed for women only, you learn to paint anything from still lifes to animals, all while listening to jazz and downing cups of coffee.
From SAR250. October 20, 11am-1pm, 5pm-7pm. Al-Thumamah Valley Street, Al Olaya, instagram.com/studioenchanted.
Order the truffle sandwich from Streat’s food truck
After launching in 2014, Streat was so popular it opened trucks across the country and a bricks and mortar venue. For the full Streat experience, visit the food truck and grab its queue-worthy Philly sandwich. The sloppy signature sandwich includes thinly sliced wagyu meat, melted cheese, sweet onions and Streat’s special sauce.
SAR35. Prince Muhammad Ibn, Salman Ibn Abdulaziz Road, 13516, streatllc.com (050 005 3864).
Scare yourself with the movie Halloween Kills
Jamie Lee Curtis is back, in a bid to finally put crazed serial killer Michael Myers to bed. Set just minutes after Laurie Strode (Curtis), daughter Karen (Judy Greer) and grandaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) have left the masked monster ablaze in Laurie’s basement, the trio realise they’ve not put the final nail in the coffin yet. Myers is back on the loose and executing his ritual bloodbath.
Out in cinemas across Riyadh from Thursday October 21.Various locations including VOX Cinemas, ksa.voxcinemas.com.
Take nine friends out for a meal at Meraki
Now that the rules have changed on how many people can gather around a table (note: it’s ten), take a group of your besties to check out Meraki. The newly opened restaurant serves great Greek food, which is headed up by Mykonos veteran and Top Chef winner Athinagoras Kostakos.
Open Sun-Wed 7pm-midnight, Thu-Sat 1pm-12.30am. Al Faisaliah Hotel, Al Moatasem Street, meraki-restaurant.com (9200 01050).
Visit Sami Al-Qathami’s art exhibition
Naila Gallery is one of the top art galleries in Riyadh, which loves to shine a spotlight local talent. It’s your last chance to check out a new exhibition showcasing the work of the artist Sami Al-Qathami. The artist creates beautiful Arabia-inspired artwork, ranging from horses to calligraphy.
Until October 17. Al Takhassusi Street, Building 247, gallerynaila.com (11 880 5352).
