10 top things to do in Riyadh this week: February 4 to February 7
It’s the first full week of February…
After what felt like an endless January, we finally welcomed February this weekend, and with it, an unexpected but nice chill in the air. If you’re making your weekly plans accordingly, let us help you out. Here are the top things to do in Riyadh this week. From cool restaurants to first-ever festivals, it seems like this month is already going to be one to remember.
Sunday February 4
Check out Crome
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French toast, we think, like many of the little things in life, is an underappreciated treat. Be it the fluffy, soft, and crispy bread or the delicious toppings, it’s the perfect excuse for eating a ton of sugar for a meal (traditionally breakfast). Enter London’s first cafe dedicated to French toast, Crome in Riyadh, for the first time.
Crome London, Riyadh Park Mall, Al Aqiq, Level 1, 10am to midnight. @crome.london
Try out afternoon tea at Cafe Elle
Where will you find us most afternoons in our dreams? Tucking into a fabulous afternoon tea at Café Elle in Via Riyadh. Here, the food arrives on a cake stand that sits savoury treats alongside pretty desserts. The scones are the highlight, though – buttery soft, and the perfect vessel for the clotted cream.
Café Elle, Afternoon Tea daily 4pm to 8pm, Via Riyadh, Al Hada, Riyadh 12912. @cafeelle.sa
Have dinner at Hong
Situated on the second floor, overlooking the hotel’s picturesque indoor pool, Hong has been around for more than 10 years, and little has changed in its interior. Named after the Chinese word for red, it is no surprise that Hong maintains its style, with red dominating the colour scheme. From tempting appetisers like Sichuan-style Kou Shui chicken to sumptuous signature dishes such as herbal lamb cutlet, this venue is where you want to go when you want a Chinese food experience aside from your typical takeaways.
Hong, Mon to Fri & Sun 6pm to 11pm, Second Floor, The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, AlHada Area, Mekkah Road, Riyadh, 11493. Tel: 011 802 8020. @theritzcarltonruh
Monday February 5
Get a taste of Ralph’s Coffee
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Ralph’s Coffee is finally coming to Riyadh. And ahead of its permanent location in King Abdullah Financial District, there’s a Ralph’s Coffee pop-up truck stationed outside the Ministry of Tourism office in the Diplomatic Quarter, where you can head to try out what the hype is about.
Ralph’s Coffee, DQ. @ralphscoffee
Try out Korean food at Omo Omo
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Look no further if you’re after some top Korean food in Riyadh. Omo Omo is a celebration of bold Korean flavours in Riyadh. Tuck into tteokbokki, Korean sandos, bibimbap, and more at the Qurtubah spot.
Omo Omo, 2977 Al Thoumamah Rd, Qurtubah, Sun to Wed noon to 11pm, Thu to Sat 1pm to midnight. @omoomo.sa
Tuesday February 6
Visit Bohemia Art Cafe
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Originally from Khobar, Bohemia Cafe Riyadh is now officially open inside The Warehouse. Here, you can shop for a huge selection of records, including vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes, and grab a coffee while you’re at it.
Bohemia Cafe, The Warehouse, Jax Culture area, Al Diriyah Al Jadidah, daily 4pm to midnight. @bohemia_artcafe
Take a bite out of Dara’s Ice Cream
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Sweet dreams are made of this. One of Egypt’s most prized possessions, Dara’s Ice Cream, is now officially open in our sweet capital. If you’re anything like us, you keep your sweets close and your ice cream even closer. Here’s why Dara’s Ice Cream Riyadh should be on your must-try list.
Dara’s Ice Cream Riyadh, Century Corner, Al Olaya. @darasicecream.sa
Get your Valentine’s Day nails done
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The Spa and Nail Shop is one of Riyadh’s top places to go when you’re looking for that perfect self-care getaway (even if it is for an hour or two). And if February has got you in a romantic type of mood, this is where you want to go to express it. Pick from multiple nail art styles and designs, and don’t forget to grab a pic for the ‘gram.
The Spa / Nail Shop, Cenomi U Walk, Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Rd, An Nakheel, Riyadh 12373. @thespanailshop
Wednesday February 7
Groove at the Riyadh International Jazz Festival
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Put on your tap shoes, apply the grease paint, and get those jazz hands ready – the inaugural Riyadh International Jazz Festival is grooving into town from Wednesday February 7 to Saturday February 9. The festival is an exciting new fixture in the Kingdom’s rich cultural calendar, bringing jazz and world music to the Mayadeen Theatre in Diriyah.
Riyadh International Jazz Festival, Feb 7 to 9, 6pm to 11pm, Mayadeen Theatre, Diriyah, Riyadh. Tickets start from SAR120 and can be purchased here.
Visit the Imagine Picasso exhibition
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The exhibition seeks to revive more than 200 of Picasso’s creations, giving attendees a distinctive, rich artistic experience and allowing them to learn about Picasso’s world from a new creative perspective. The paintings that are shown in Imagine Picasso are drawn from both private and esteemed museum collections, including the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, the MoMa in Moscow, the Picasso Museum in Paris, and the Museu Picasso in Barcelona.
Imagine Picasso, Laysen Valley, 2pm, Sat Feb 3. Book your SAR50 ticket here.