Had a nice weekend, Riyadh? This weekend saw K-pop superstars and new coffee shops. We’re looking forward to seeing what the week has in store for us, so here are some amazing things to do in Riyadh.
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
Chill out at Aseel Garden
Aseel resorts is one of the prettiest places in Riyadh. It has gorgeous palm trees, lush greenery and amazing lighting. Its guest lounge is one of the most Instagrammable locations on the list so you can take a sip and a pic and get away from it all. It serves amazing burgers and steaks, so you can eat well too.
Minimum charge SAR50. Open Sun-Thu 5pm-1am. Fri-Sat 5pm-2am. Wadi Hanifa Rd., Riyadh, aseelresorts.com/ (055 7022 222)
Enjoy the weather at The Groves
Riyadh Season recently posted a video of how gorgeous this zone of theirs looks during and after rain, so make a beeline for this place if you’re looking to make the most of the weather. The Groves is a vibrant place to bring your pups (as it’s dog-friendly). While you are there, check out the pop-up cafés and restaurants.
Open daily 3 pm-1am. Alkhawabi St, Al Safarat.
Dine with a view over at PÃO’s new location
PÃO is Portuguese for bread and when a place names itself after such a key ingredient they have huge expectations to meet. And PÃO certainly doesn’t disappoint. With a beautifully rustic seating area that has amazing overhead chandeliers and gorgeous greenery, this place is definitely one of the prettiest on this list. The new location has an amazing alfresco dining experience so you can definitely enjoy the gorgeous weather in Riyadh. The sandwich selection includes tasty treats like chicken Italian, spicy tuna, and chicken curry.
Open Sun-Thu 7am-1am. Fri-Sat 9am-1am. Al Takhassousi, Al Mohammadiyyah, instagram.com/pao_ksa/ (050 546 7223)
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 nice warm meal at Il Baretto
The weather calls for a good bowl of warm pasta, and at this London-based establishment, you get just that. It 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).
Sip coffee at Riyadh’s new favourite cafe Ashjar
If you want a new hangout spot, check out this cool cafe. 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).
Shop for some pre-loved clothes at Desert Thrifting
Want to do your bit for the environment? Well, at newly opened Desert Thrifting you can buy pre-loved items at an affordable price. Let the trend of thrifting take over.
Open daily 4pm-10pm. Jarsh, Al Yarmuk, instagram.com/desertthrifting.sa
Warm yourself up with hot chocolate over at System
System is one of the most popular places when it comes to hot drinks in Riyadh and its hot chocolate is absolutely divine. It’s very chocolatey and rich in flavour, and it’s topped with delicious whipped cream and served with a little chocolate bar on the side (because you can never have too much chocolate).
Open Sun-Thu 7am-3am. Fri 1pm-midnight. Sat 9am-3am. 8054 Al Takhasussi, instagram.com/systemksa (011 206 4055).
Watch indie films at Wadi Cinemas
Grab the popcorn, there’s a new cinema in town. The pop-up Wadi Cinema will be swapping hero flicks for arthouse films while showcasing indie filmmakers from the region.
Until March 11. Jax District. instagram.com/wadicinema
Watch Scream in cinemas
The big news in this slasher sequel is that it will be the first not to be directed by horror legend Wes Craven. He died in 2015 and will be replaced by up-and-coming horror aficionados. Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette have somehow managed to make it this far unscathed and will all return for more.
In cinemas January 13. ksa.voxcinemas.com/movies/scream
Watch the Spanish Super Cup final
Watch Real Madrid and Atletic Club battle it out on the fields of Riyadh. After the two semi-finals happening in the capital, this match is the all or nothing that decides the winner of the Spanish Super Cup 2021 once and for all.
January 16. wafyapp.com
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