10 amazing things to do in Riyadh this week: May 5 to May 8
This week: decoded…
Summer is officially here (we think), and Riyadh lights up with some pretty incredible things to do this month. Be it new restaurants, or viral desserts to try, here are all the things to do in Riyadh this week.
Sunday May 5
Try Indian street food at Babulal
A street food concept in the heart of Riyadh, Babulal has outposts in Jeddah and Riyadh. Popular menu items include tikka masala, butter chicken, biryani rice, fries, mixed grill, and chicken 65. The venue is decked out in Indian-inspired decor and has an unrivalled ambience.
Babulal, Anas Ibn Malik Rd, Al Malqa, Sat to Wed noon to 1am, Thu noon to 3am, Fri 1pm to 3am. @eatbabulal
Have afternoon tea at Fairmont Riyadh
From Wednesday May 1 to Wednesday July 31, the multi-sensory afternoon tea will be hosted within the elegant confines of The Savoy Lounge. The delicacies, infused with the luxurious scents for which Jo Malone London is famed and presented on a three-tiered stand, are made with such finesse.
Jo Malone Afternoon Tea Experience at The Savoy, May 1 to July 31, daily 1pm to 7pm, Fairmont Riyadh, Business Gate, Qurtubah, Riyadh 11552. SAR250 per person. Tel: 011 826 2629. @fairmontriyadh
Indulge in a premium hair treatment
The Kerastase Hair & Scalp Spa in Saudi is debuting a brand-new treatment. Introducing Premiere: a dual-action hair care repair treatment, is the newest treatment offered by the Kerastase Hair & Scalp Spa in Saudi Arabia. By utilising cutting-edge technology, this treatment has successfully unlocked the code of ongoing hair damage.
Kerastase Hair & Scalp Spa, U Walk, Sat to Wed 10am to 10pm, Thu 10am to 12.30am, Fri 3pm to 11pm.
Monday May 6
Catch a movie
Muvi Cinemas tickets will be cut down to SAR34 for daytime screenings and SAR39 for nighttime screenings for all days of the week. You can book yours here. In addition, you can get standard and premium seats for SAR18 when you use ANB credit cards. Plus on Mondays, when you buy one ticket you can get the other for SAR10.
Enjoy a summer coolinary (culinary) festival at Spago
At Spago by Wolfgang Puck, you can enjoy an exquisite curated set menu that celebrates the timeless allure of Japanese cuisine. Immerse yourself in the enchanting ambience adorned with live entertainment every Friday. If you want to try the summer set menu, you can tuck into hearty seasonal specials like wild mushroom risotto, a tender rack of lamb or the signature Wienerschnitzel for lunch or dinner, starting at SAR180 per person.
Spago by Wolfgang Puck, Via Riyadh, daily 1pm to midnight. @spago.sa
See the glitz and glamour at Saudi Luxury Week 2024 in Riyadh
The Saudi International Luxury Week 2024, the country’s premier watch and jewellery event, is back. Indulge in a curated selection of jewellery sourced from every corner of the globe, offering the rare chance to acquire exclusive pieces that epitomise sophistication and exclusivity. Don’t miss your chance to experience luxury at its finest.
Saudi Luxury Week 2024, May 5 to 9, 4pm to 11pm, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh. Free entry but you need to register your visit here. @saudiluxuryweek
Tuesday May 7
Have coffee at Joan’s On Third
LA’s Joan’s On Third has made its first international move. The Riyadh outlet reflects the LA outpost’s most distinctive features, including the neighbourhood-friendly atmosphere, casual and rustic décor, and an open kitchen at the heart of the bright, airy cafe. Joan’s on Third serves up everything from soups, pastries, salads, sandwiches, and sides like crisps, Szechuan green beans, and pickles, alongside freshly brewed coffee and fresh juices.
Joan’s on Third, Via Riyadh, Sun to Thu 2pm to midnight, Fri & Sat 2pm to 1am. @joansonthird_sa
Check out the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024
Now in its second edition, the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale has become a distinctive event in the region’s art calendar. The 2024 edition titled ‘After Rain’ opens up a moment of revitalisation and renewal. Visiting the Diriyah Biennale 2024 will take audiences across six airy exhibition halls in the JAX District. This year, the 177 works on show by artists from all over the world address pressing topics, such as water shortage, arid landscapes, and climate migration. In addition, there are many learning sessions and activations, including kids’ workshops and the much-loved Cinema Nights, taking place during the Diriyah Biennale 2024. Here are some highlights from our visit.
Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale 2024, until May 24, JAX District, Diriyah, Riyadh, Sat to Thurs 11am to 11pm & Fri 3pm to midnight. Free entry but you need to book your ticket here. @biennale_sa
Head to Clap for business lunch
Get down to business at one of the sleekest spots in the city: Clap at Ramla Terraza. Served from 12.30pm to 3.30pm every Sunday to Thursday, this is a business lunch you need to know about. Savour an electric line-up of opulent Japanese dishes and bold flavours, ideal for impressing clients, or for a mid-day escape. Clap’s Business Lunch includes some menu staples, including the perfectly crunchy salmon or wagyu crispy rice, Clap salad with dried miso and truffle, the infamous black miso cod, and pistachio crusted baby chicken, all within a SAR150 per person budget.
Clap, Ramla Terraza, 7713 King Fahd Rd, As Sahafah, Riyadh 13321. Business lunch menu available from Sun to Thurs 12.30pm to 3.30pm. @clap.riyadh
Wednesday May 8
Have a flattened croissant at BK Boutique
Regular croissants are a thing of the past. Now we have flattened ones, cookie ones, and so much more. And BK Boutique, famous for its incredible pastries, is debuting its very own chocolate-dipped version of the flattened croissants, and you simply have to try them.
BK Boutique, Al Takhassousi, Al Mohammadiyyah, Sat to Thu 7am to midnight, Fri 7am to 11am, noon to midnight. @bkboutique.sa