Riyadh’s cafe scene has rapidly evolved into one of the most exciting in the region, blending global coffee culture with local creativity and distinctive Saudi hospitality. From specialty coffee houses and artisanal roasteries to stylish cafes designed for long conversations, casual meetings, or quiet moments of focus, the city offers something for every type of coffee lover. Whether the preference leans toward expertly brewed single-origin beans, beautifully plated desserts, or all-day breakfast menus, Riyadh’s cafes continue to set new standards for quality and atmosphere.
The best cafes in Riyadh are defined not only by exceptional coffee, but also by thoughtfully designed interiors, welcoming service, and menus that cater to both traditional and contemporary tastes. Many have become social hubs, creative spaces, and go-to destinations for brunch, remote work, or relaxed evenings with friends. With the city’s exceptional coffee culture, Riyadh’s best cafes stand out for their flavors, ambiance, and overall experience. From hidden neighborhood gems to popular hotspots, these cafes represent the heart of Riyadh’s thriving coffee culture.
Ashjar Cafe
Specialty coffees, relaxing work spaces and a romantic atmosphere perfectly sums up Ashjar Cafe. Fully equipped with meeting rooms that are named after flowers, Ashjar Cafe has often been synonymous with the best cafe in Riyadh. The quaint cafe features earthy tones with minimal furniture and a huge glass window, letting in golden glows of the sun and opening up the views to their gorgeous outdoor space, complete with a garden and water feature. As for the sips and bites, Ashjar features a wide array of traditional Saudi treats along with beans from far corners of the world.
Open 24 hours, Prince Mohammed Ibn Salman Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Ar Rabi, Riyadh 13315, +966 11 511 3484, @ashjarcafe
Brew92
For the coffee aficionados in the city, Brew92 is just as fond of their coffee. Trained to the Specialty Coffee Association’s exacting standards, they make regular visits to farms around the world to find the best flavours and strictly brew at 92°C in a bid to extract the optimum flavour profile from each roast. Guests can find all the classics on the menu (plus plenty of alternative milks for vegans) but the most interesting options are in the “stranger drinks” section, with ice cream sandwiches dunked in espresso, cold pistachio lattes and crème-brulée brews to add a twist to the everyday brew.
Sat – Wed 6AM – 12AM, Thurs 6AM – 12:30AM, Fri 8AM – 12:30AM, Al Nada Corner, Uthman Ibn Affan Rd, Hai، Riyadh 13317, +966 54 282 5536, @brew92cafe
Brunch & Cake
Amid the glass towers of King Abdullah Financial District, Brunch & Cake is an urban sanctuary where terrazzo tables, cascading greenery and warm neutrals soften the city’s edge. It is a pause button for executives and creatives alike to meet, breathe and brunch beautifully. Brunch & Cake’s menu revolves around homemade and nostalgic favorites. As the name suggests, this is one of Riyadh’s favorite brunch spots, with love as the main ingredient in every dish. From the soothing scrambled eggs to the bitter-sweet coffees and teas, Brunch & Cake is the city’s favorite comfort cafe.
Daily 8AM – 11:45PM, KAFD, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13519, +966 53 753 2153, @brunchandcakeksa
Elixir Bunn Coffee Roasters
Elixir Bunn, brewing beans since 2014, serves up blends inspired by the distinct aromas of the Kingdom’s regions. The Western version bursts with the warmth of cardamom, cloves, saffron and mastic, while the light-roasted Southern blend delivers a subtly sweet profile with ginger, fennel and cinnamon. Terracotta-coloured arches inspired by traditional Islamic architecture frame sleek, honey-hued tables at this oasis of calm, making it perfect for that iconic Instagram shot, once lauded by Architectural Digest Middle East for its unique design. Guests can pair these delicious coffees with a dense slice of chocolate-flecked banana bread or seasonal sweets like Kohei-Ziri, a Japanese dessert marrying the sweetness of vanilla ice cream with the bitterness of espresso.
Sat – Wed 6:30AM – 11:30PM, Thurs & Fri 6:30AM – 1AM, Dist, 9035 king abdullah ibn abdul aziz rd, King Faisal Dt., 3527, Riyadh 13215, +966 58 133 6317, @elixirbunn
Half Million
Half Million is the go – to spot for the die-hard coffee fans in Riyadh. Named after the initial 500,000 riyal investment by founders Meshari Alshehri and Abdullah Alrajhi, this homegrown brand has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to its fuss-free approach and easygoing service. It’s a hit outside of Saudi Arabia too, recently opening an outpost on London’s Oxford Street. Swing by 24-hours-a-day for coffee, a simple falafel bagel or the irresistible mini caramel bites temptingly displayed on the counter. For a cosy treat in cooler months, the ultra-rich hot chocolate is a classic winter warmer.
Open 24 hours, King Abdulaziz Rd, Almasiaf, Riyadh 12465, @halfmillion_sa
SCRMY
SCRMY is the coolest neighbourhood hang, with strong brews and freshly baked pastries. Chic yet functional, this is the perfect spot for a productive work session or to unwind with friends while catching up. The sandy pink building welcomes guests into a bright, inviting space with colourful art on the walls. Neon signs sporting ‘taste and tell’ funk up the space, complete with an ice cream cart. SCRMY is synonymous with croissants galore, with a variety of flavors and shapes from round, flat, classic, creme brulee, and much more to satisfy every sweet tooth.
Sat – Wed 8AM – 1AM, Thurs & Fri 8AM – 2AM, RITM by Rawajeh, 135, Prince Muhammad Ibn Saad Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13515, +966 55 770 7966, @scrmy.sa
Sociale Cafe
Drawing in a young, artsy crowd and laptop-toting creatives, Sociale Café on Tahlia Street oozes rustic charm. Dig into beautiful açai bowls and sharing boards of grilled halloumi, stracciatella and zaatar-infused dips, or indulge in decadent desserts like pain perdu drowning in chocolate and fresh strawberries. The Instagram-worthy space, bathed in natural light from grid-like windows, is adorned with vintage light fixtures and lush greenery, complete with rough-hewn concrete columns and snug cushioned corners perfect for intimate conversations. The small outdoor garden, hidden behind a wall of plants, is perpetually packed (even during the sweltering summer) with friends catching up under the twinkle of fairy lights. Plus, the cafe frequently hosts live music events and showcases works by local artists under monthly themes like Bauhaus, Memphis and connections.
Daily 8AM – 12:45AM, Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh 12223, +966 11 210 2664, @sociale.cafe
SoMatcha
After sipping her first sweet, refreshingly sweet matcha at New York Fashion Week in 2018, Saudi beauty influencer Yara Alnamlah was hooked. Inspired by the earthy flavours and wanting to transport the taste back home, she launched the Kingdom’s first specialised matcha cafe, SoMatcha, in a stripped-back space at the Shorofat Park complex. Here, on tables dotted among potted plants and shelves of Japanese chasen whisks, emerald green ceremonial-grade tea takes centre stage in every form imaginable, from pure shots to floral lattes with rose petal infusions. Whether you crave it straight up or as a mellow, milky concoction, this spot has your matcha fix covered.
Daily 6AM – 3AM, Shorofat Park, An Nada, Riyadh 13317, @somatcha.me
Urth Caffe
Packed with organic options for vegans and the health-conscious, Urth Caffe, a bohemian cafe from California focuses on all-natural dishes free from artificial ingredients or refined sugars. Homely bread pudding breakfast bowls, hearty portions of lasagna and scrambles with eggs from vegetarian-fed chickens keep diners coming back, but it’s the commitment to coffee and tea that truly sets Urth apart. It all started in 1989 when Jilla and Shallom Berkman met a farmer from Peru who introduced them to rare heirloom coffee trees. Fast forward to 2017, and Urth Caffé opened its Riyadh branch, continuing the tradition of serving exceptional, earth-friendly dishes and drinks. The Manhattan Mudd, a smooth and complex African-Asian blend straight from New York, pairs perfectly with a slice of old-fashioned Granny Smith apple pie, baked fresh daily using classic recipes.
Sat – Thurs 8AM – 12AM, Fri 1PM – 12AM, Riyadh Park, Northern Ring Rd, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13511, +966 9200 07498, @urthcaffesaudi
WOODS Specialty Café & Roastery
For the late nights and early birds, the machines at WOODS whir 24/7, churning out brews that are as premium as they come. From the sprawling central counter, baristas reach for rows of amber-toned jars stacked neatly on the shelves packed with beans sourced from all corners of the globe such as fruity mananasi from Uganda, zesty lemongrass-infused Sidra coffee from Ecuador, and the Gulf Pearl blend – a bold, nutty brew that lingers long after the last sip.
Open 24 hours, MMXM+78C, Al Olaya, Riyadh 12241, +966 53 465 0070, @woods.ksa
