The latest viral foodie trends in Riyadh to check out
Do they live up to the hype?
Riyadh and its people love trends (sorry, not sorry), the city manufactures a cool trend every single week, signed and dusted by all your favourite influencers too. If you want to keep up with all the trends but have no time to be as chronically online as this reporter, we’ve got you covered. Here are the latest viral foodie trends in Riyadh.
Japanese toast at Lyrs Artisan Bakery
View this post on Instagram
A stunning, creamy, and low-key mouthwatering dessert has made its way to our feeds all the way from Japan, and it has finally landed in Riyadh. Welcome to Lyrs Artisan Bakery, which is serving the viral Japanese cream sandwiches. The popular, light, and airy treat, often featuring soft milk bread and whipped cream, is served at Lyrs with a twist. The sandwich is served with both the regular cream topping and, if you’re feeling a little extra, a blow-torched crème brûlée one.
Location: Khalid Ibn Yazid Ibn Muawiyah, Al Olaya Street,
Timing: Sat t0 Wed 6am to midnight & Thu to Fri 6am to 2am
The Riri Roll at Dunkin’ Doughnuts
View this post on Instagram
What started as a Dunkin’ employee sharing how she likes to enjoy her coffee roll turned into a massive local and regional trend. With customers all over the region asking Dunkin to bring the Riri roll to Kuwait and Dubai, the iconic roll is now available across all branches in Saudi Arabia. So what is this viral sensation you may ask? A classic Dunkin’ coffee roll, cut in half, with cream cheese spread on the inside, served with an Americano, all for just SAR14.
Location: Various locations
Scoop Cookies at Era Coffee
View this post on Instagram
An international trend that’s made waves all over social media, the viral scoop cookies have finally landed in Riyadh at Era Coffee. Cookies are definitely the way to this reporter’s heart (we all have vices), and Era Coffee’s might just take the cake (little bakery humour for you there). Picture gorgeous, warm, straight out of the oven, trays on trays of ooey gooey cookies, served in a small ramekin or pan. Known for having crisp edges and a molten chocolate centre, this is where you go for the ultimate craving buster.
Location: Various locations including 7215 Ubadah Ibn Alsamit
Chimney Cakes at ChiChi
View this post on Instagram
Chimney Cakes or Kürtőskalács are a traditional Hungarian pastry made from sweet, raised dough, wrapped around a cylinder, rolled in sugar, and roasted over coals. Now the soft, airy, delicious treats have made their way to Riyadh at Chichi. Take your pick from Nutella, pistachio, Kinder Bueno, Raffaello, Oreo, Lotus, and white chocolate.
Location: 7833 Alemam Mohamed Bin Masoud, RDFA2914، 2914, Diriyah
Timing: Daily 4pm to 2am
Crunchy shawarmas at Tayibat Almadina
View this post on Instagram
It’s always a yes for shawarma, and especially a crispy, crunchy one at that. While it looks like an unassuming regular shawarma spot, Tayibat Almadina may be one of the most talked-about joints since its opening. Making waves on socials for its modern take on a deep Saudi staple, the menu is small but mighty, with four variations of chicken shawarma, including spicy, tabbouleh, classic, and sarookh—plus two falafel options, classic and special. But what made it go viral wasn’t the shawarma itself but the bread, fried and lightly toasted, adding the massively popular crunch everyone went bananas (foreshadowing) for.
Location: PJRW+J4Q, Al Takhassousi, An Nakheel,
Timing: Thu to Tue 1pm to 1.30pm & Wed 12pm to 1.30am
Gone Bananas
View this post on Instagram
Now you’ll notice there’s not a particular item that’s viral at this spot, or rather, a food truck. That’s because here, it’s the concept that everyone’s in love with. Proudly serving the wildest banana treats on wheels, Gone Bananas is currently parked up on Jabal As Sawda street. Picture delicious bananas, coated in chocolate, oreos, and essentially any toppings you’d like (it’s still healthy, right?).
Location: Subject to change, currently Jabal As Sawda street
Timing: Wed 8am to midnight, Thu to Sat 8am to 1am
