< PreviousRIY ADH SEASON 50 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com BLVD Dolphinarium TOR_EN032_46_51_feature Budget friendly Riyadh season_13430409.indd 50TOR_EN032_46_51_feature Budget friendly Riyadh season_13430409.indd 5030/11/2024 16:1430/11/2024 16:14RIY ADH SEASON timeoutriyadh.com December 2024 51 THINGS TO DO UNDER SAR100 AT RIYADH SEASON BLVD DOLPHINARIUM Are you and the family ready for a splashing good time? One of Riyadh Season’s most popular animal encounters is also one of the best value tickets in town. See the new show at BLVD Dolphinarium from just SAR60, with entrance to Boulevard World also included in the price of the ticket. Time-slots need to be selected online when you book your tickets. Little ones under two years old go free. O From SAR60. From 5pm. Boulevard World, Hittin, webook.com. BLVD FOREST This is another brilliant wildlife attraction that is priced well under SAR100 this Riyadh Season. The indoor African-inspired BLVD Forest is home to various animals and birds, with interactive experiences available for guests that are bold enough. You’ve seen it all over social media, now it’s time to experience it for yourself. Animal-lovers won’t be able to stop snapping photos. O From SAR60. Open daily 4pm-12.45am. Boulevard World, Hittin, webook.com. DARK GARDEN Wonder Garden may be one of the prettiest zones of Riyadh Season but did you know it’s also home to some mysterious, rather scary secrets? Dark Garden is one of those, with a haunted house filled with surprises and terrifying mazes. Get your tickets if you dare and go and explore. Tickets are available for purchase at Wonder Garden and include zone entry, while children under 12 go free. O From SAR55. Wonder Garden, Al Malqa, webook.com. META WORLD Experience the power of virtual reality like never before. You can embark on epic quests, build dream worlds or compete in fast-paced adventures, and there are three VR Games, including a roller-coaster simulator. Located in Boulevard World, this attraction is for players aged 16 years and older only and tickets include access to the entire zone. O From SAR70. Open daily 4pm-12.45am. Boulevard World, Hittin, webook.com. OASIS We know you’ve seen this fun experience online. It’s basically an absolutely massive ball pit. There are so many balls that you can jump in them, lie in them, bury each other underneath them, even swim in them. It’s frankly ridiculous but so much fun, though there is a minimum age limit of five years so watch out for disappointed toddlers. The experience is only 15 minutes long, but you’ll be surprised at how weary you’ll be after that. O SAR80. Open daily 4pm-12.45am. Boulevard World, Hittin, webook.com. PUBG MOBILE For the uninitiated, PUBG: Battlegrounds is a video game in which up to 100 players fight in a battle royale. Players are parachuted onto an island where they have to find weapons and then kill before they are killed themselves. Now, imagine this with real laser battles and you’ll have an idea of what’s in store at PUBG Mobile. The goal is to be the last survivor in the battle. It’s addictive, but luckily tickets are priced at just SAR55, meaning you can afford to have more than one go. You have to be aged 12 and above to play and children aged 12 to 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult. O From SAR55. Open daily 5pm-11.55pm. Boulevard City, Hittin, webook.com. PYRAMID TRAIL It may look like an ancient pyramid from the outside, but once inside you’ll need to solve a series of challenges and puzzles to save yourself and find your escape route via the dark dungeons. Watch out for the live actors on this one. O From SAR80. Open daily 5pm-12.45am. Boulevard World, Hittin, webook.com. META World TOR_EN032_46_51_feature Budget friendly Riyadh season_13430409.indd 51TOR_EN032_46_51_feature Budget friendly Riyadh season_13430409.indd 5130/11/2024 16:1430/11/2024 16:1452 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com Food 7 Ribs What’s smoking? Where to get the best barbecue in Riyadh TOR_EN032_52_53_Food Leader_13430400.indd 52TOR_EN032_52_53_Food Leader_13430400.indd 5230/11/2024 16:1430/11/2024 16:14timeoutriyadh.com December 2024 53 cannot forget about the food. You’ve got all the classics with riffs on one of the city’s favourite dishes. Sample your way through plates with fun names and big portions like the old school ribs and the nobody’s perfect combo featuring a full rack of eight-hour smoked short ribs. O Sat-Wed 8am-1am, Thu-Fri 8am-2am. North Yard by Oud, Al Malqa, @300f.ksa (053 410 7552). 27 RIBS Unleash your carnivore at 7 Ribs with racked and stacked meats smothered in sauces. Choose from smoked meats, barbecue plates and steaks. The black Angus beef is a hit. The rustic ambience adds a touch of flair to the space. Sharpen your knives and dig in. O Open daily noon-2am. Al Olaya, @7ribs (059 727 3787). 3BRISKET Found in Riyadh Park, Brisket is all about, well, brisket. A top spot for barbecue in the city, the fiery joint serves up smoked cuts of meat, chicken, ribs and even corn paired with a signature sauce. Add a bit of mash into the mix and you’ve got yourself a complete meal. Other ace menu items to try include the Angus short ribs, Australian Angus ribeye and French- cut lamb chops with pepper sauce. O Open Sat-Thu 9am- 1.30am, Fri 12.30pm- 1.30am. Riyadh Park, Al Aqiq, @brisketksa. 4CHEF’S HOMEMADE BURGER GOURMET For top homemade burgers, head to Chef’s Homemade Burger Gourmet. A self-proclaimed smokehouse that you can call home, the spot has branches across Saudi. From smoked sandwiches to saucy burgers and signature dishes, you won’t be leaving here hungry. You can also opt for the convenient gathering boxes when having a bigger event at home. O Open Sat-Tue noon-1.45am, Wed-Thu noon-2.45am, Fri 1pm-2.45am. Al Mohammadiyyah, @chefs_sa. 5HATABA A home-grown restaurant, Hataba serves up classic Saudi cuisine with a modern, barbecue spin. Hataba employs a wood-fire smoking technique, cooking everything over real wood for an authentic flavour. The eatery serves traditional dishes, including a signature chicken paired with smoked rice, a classic moussaka, wood- fired okra and even a popular chicken biryani. Work your way through the whole menu. O Open Sat-Wed noon-1am, Fri 12.30am-1am. Al Nafal, @hataba_ksa / hataba.com.sa (053 893 3244). GET READY FOR some mouthwatering low-and- slow cooking. If you’re craving smoky, saucy meats, these restaurants are the ultimate destinations for barbecue-lovers. Carnivores, rejoice – these spots are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings in no time. Don’t miss out on these stellar barbecue joints. 1300F SMOKEHOUSE This is not your typical smokehouse. 300F Smokehouse brings barbecue with plenty of style. You’ll want to snap pics of the menu just as much as the stunning surroundings of this dreamy spot, featuring an open kitchen at the back. Of course, you 6Q ON DA GO The sister brand of Smokey Beards Q, Q ON DA GO is known for its smoky burgers. The Al Olaya spot serves up originals like brisket, beef ribs and burgers too. Add on fries and sauces, and you have a satisfying comfort meal. O Open Sun-Wed 11am-1am, Thu 11am-2am, Fri, 1pm- 2am. Al Olaya, @qondago_sa (055 122 0457). 7SMOKEY BEARDS Q Two words lift the spirits of all meat- lovers – Smokey and Beards. This no- frills Texas-style smokehouse has made quite a name for itself in the capital thanks to its incredibly popular brisket sandwich, which is one of the three main dishes on the menu. (The smoked meat platter and the short ribs platter make up the trio.) In fact, so loved is the sandwich, which is stuffed with a generous layer of pulled black Angus brisket smoked for up to 24 hours, that it sells out daily. Arrive early and dig in. O Open daily 1pm-2am. Hittin, @smokeybeardsq (053 470 0086). 8SMOKEY HOUSE A casual dining spot that’s all about its steaks, Smokey House delivers a sizzling bite. The two-storey eatery is the perfect spot for families and friends to enjoy a meat-centric menu paired with comforting sides. The menu includes American classics like giant burgers, steaks, onion rings and mozzarella sticks. O Open daily noon-2am. As Sahafah, @smokey_house (050 128 4433). 9SMOKY SEAL This Al Nakheel spot is known for its low and slow cooking methods creating Arabian flavours. The motto of this spot is we smoke it, you eat it. We’re not going to argue with that. Signature plates include smoked camel meat, lamb and chicken. They pair perfectly with fragrant smoked rice. We recommend you try the lamb, the pineapple show and sandwiches like the black and white sandwich and smoky chunk. No meal is complete without mash and fries. O Open Sat-Wed 1pm-1am, Thu-Fri 1pm-2am. Al Nakheel, smokyseal.com (053 600 6304). 10WOOD RIBS Wood Ribs is taking the bull by the horns (as its logo suggests) and is serving up dishes that will keep you grinning. Sample the black Angus ribeye and American smoked ribs. For a big bite, the truffle mushroom burger and special ribs are brilliant picks. Who’s hungry? O Open daily 11am-3am. Al Mughrizat, @woodribsksa (055 774 4813). “Unleash your carnivore at 7 Ribs with racked and stacked meats smothered in sauces” TOR_EN032_52_53_Food Leader_13430400.indd 53TOR_EN032_52_53_Food Leader_13430400.indd 5330/11/2024 16:1430/11/2024 16:1454 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com THERE ARE CERTAIN restaurants that define a city, and have locals and visitors flocking to the foodie destinations. Kuuru is that spot in Jeddah. Now, the home-grown concept is in Riyadh. Over three years since carving out a storied rep in the Red Sea city, the sleek Nikkei spot opened in KAFD in early 2024. Kuuru fans will feel right at home when they enter the Riyadh outpost. It incorporates all of the warm interior touches of the Jeddah location, in a larger space. Take one of the seats around the Nikkei bar to truly get the full Kuuru experience. Chefs meticulously slice sashimi, roll maki and tempt you to snap photo after photo with the occasional controlled flame. There are tables surrounding the cooking station if you want more privacy to chat, but it’s the counter where the action is. Chefs work away, leaving you to watch or chat with your crew. Waitstaff are as precise and polished as the chefs. They have mastered the art of how to make your meal an experience. They are pros and you feel they have everything down to a science. The menu has small plates to share, and you might find yourself skipping a main so you can order more dishes. Start with the Kuuru ceviche. The signature dish highlights the deft mix of Japanese, Peruvian and Saudi flavours with local najel fish, smoked corn, sweet potato, cilantro and Nikkei leche de tigre sauce. While there are plenty of standout dishes, we recommend the Nikkei-style nigiri.The concha trufada with scallop, truffle butter, white truffle oil and lime is something you don’t see every Kuuru O Sun-Wed noon-midnight, Thu-Sat noon-1am. KAFD, riyadh.kuururestaurant.com (92 003 5739). “Chefs slice sashimi, roll maki and tempt you to snap photos” WHAT IS IT... A stylish Nikkei experience you can’t miss WHY GO... An inventive, standout menu delivered with stellar service day, but comes recommended. Same goes with the langostino karai with shrimp, mentaiko sauce and, wait for it, Grana Padano. Both nigiri are blow- torched in front of you and are lush. Try them. No one can ever forget about dessert. There are a handful of options ranging from light mochi to luxuriant chocolate cake with a chocolate sauce. The signature cheesecake is unsurprisingly a fave. The generous slice is airy with hints of lime and featherlight dulce de leche crumble and a hazelnut biscuit base. This is a special occasion restaurant, and one you will be splashing out on. Factor in about three to four dishes per person. However, if you are on a budget look out for the monthly special or try a tasting option, such as the nigiri tasting for SAR189 featuring five chef picks. RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH Time Out reviews anonymously and pays for its meals The original Jeddah location established Kuuru’s reputation, and Kuuru Riyadh doesn’t disappoint. With stunning presentations, top-notch quality and exceptional service, it’s truly a splurge-worthy choice. TOR_EN032_54_55_Reviews_13436338_13441300.indd 54TOR_EN032_54_55_Reviews_13436338_13441300.indd 5402/12/2024 13:5002/12/2024 13:50timeoutriyadh.com December 2024 55 THE CITY LOVES its croissants and cakes, but sourdough is having its moment – and Green Mill Bakery is one of the specialists. In fact, the Alyasmin bakery prides itself on being the ‘home of natural sourdough’. And now, we get it. At Green Mill Bakery it’s all about the bread and baked goodies with a space dedicated to tempting customers with an L-shaped display case of treats. The venue has simple décor, with a couple of tables to dine in. This bakery is dedicated to traditional craftsmanship. The concept bills itself as an artisanal sourdough bakery using simple, quality ingredients. There aren’t any stabilisers, improvers or enzymes here. The minimalist, quality approach also extends to the natural cakes and muffins, viennoiserie, cantucci, energy crackers and bardots. There are daily sourdoughs and sourdoughs of the week and they are available by the half (about SAR20) or full loaf (SAR45). There are sweet and savoury picks. The most popular savoury loaves are the daily olive and classic loaves while the date and fig with walnut win for sweet. Flavoured loaves are packed with ingredients and complement the sourdough taste rather than masking it. It would be totally wrong to come and not order a sourdough loaf, or even a baguette (SAR10- 12), but the rest of the menu deserves attention too. The croissants are favourites with a range of popular flavours (cheese, almond, zaatar). The same goes for the natural pound cakes. They’re made with whole wheat flour and have no additives or preservatives. These aren’t iced cakes loaded with toppings, but minimalist loaves that capture fresh flavours. A full cake is SAR57 or get three mini pieces for SAR10 and try all the flavours: carrot and walnut, orange chocolate and bitter lemon with chia seeds. Dreamy. Green Mill Bakery proves you don’t always need loaded cakes and muffins to thrive. Less can be more, and this bakery is the perfect example. Give it a go. WHAT IS IT... The home of sourdough in the heart of Riyadh WHY GO... For tasty natural loaves in a range of rustic flavours Green Mill Bakery O Open daily 7am-10pm. Centro Anas, Alyasmin, greenmill.me / @greenmill.sa (053 031 0427). “Less can be more, and Green Mill is the perfect example” TOR_EN032_54_55_Reviews_13436338_13441300.indd 55TOR_EN032_54_55_Reviews_13436338_13441300.indd 5502/12/2024 13:5002/12/2024 13:5056 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com T here is pandemonium for padel in Riyadh right now. One of the fastest- growing sports in the world, it’s a fun, energetic mish-mash of tennis and squash that has the city’s fitness crowd well and truly hooked. Whether you take lessons, enter competitions or just knock about on a court with your mates, you may as well be playing on one of the best courts in the city. We’re not just talking about venues with new courts, modern lounges and all the latest kit. We’re into courts with great views. Not only will they distract you if you’re down a point or two, they’ll make those post-match photos stand out on your social feeds. Ready to get on the court? Padels poised, here’s where to play in Riyadh. 2PADEL Gone are the days of feeling claustrophobic on your padel court. Yes, you’ve still basically got a tennis court enclosed like a squash court, but at 2Padel, it’s all set in a beautiful garden. Located in Wadi Hanifah, there are palms and mountains too. It’s giving all the wellness vibes you need. The space is open all week from 6am to 6pm and costs SAR220 for 60 minutes, SAR330 for 90 minutes and SAR420 for 120 minutes. You can also rent a racket for SAR15. Bring your friends along. O From SAR220. Open daily 6am-6pm. Wadi Hanifah, @2padel.sa. D CLUB Nature vibes abound at the newly opened D Club in Wadi Hanifah. Whether you play by day or under the floodlights, the scenery is mesmerising while the countless palm trees Sport & Outdoor waft a gentle breeze your way. The courts are well spaced out here, making it a good option for beginners who may prefer to practise their batting skills in a slightly calmer environment. O Open daily 3pm-5.30am. Wadi Hanifah, @d_club_sa (055 334 4772). PADEL CLOUD Popular with the pros, Padel Cloud offers an Adidas 360 competition court, plus a very comfortable lounge with unlimited WiFi and a coffee station. Important for that post-match debrief and chill. It’s a high-end facility with incredible views of Kingdom Centre. The venue is open until 3am and the night view is nothing short of spectacular. O From SAR1,400 (four visits). Open daily 9am-3am. Al Olaya, @padel.cloud. PADEL MASTERS Rooftop views while playing padel anyone? Paddle Masters at Riyadh Marriott Hotel gives you just that. Enjoy a unique experience, with prices starting from SAR340 for 90 minutes. O From SAR340. Open daily 4pm-midnight. Riyadh Marriott Hotel, King Saud Rd, Al Wizarat, @padelmasters (050 671 1884). PADEL RUSH Its location near Boulevard City makes Padel Rush an ideal choice if you’re looking for Pretty padel Play your next game with some stunning views to match LEVEL UP YOUR KIT AMAZON All your padel needs are covered at this huge online retailer. Best of all, get your equipment delivered to your door. O amazon.sa. NOON What doesn’t noon stock? You’ve got a variety of options to pick from on the popular app. Keep an eye out for fantastic sales. O noon.com. SUN AND SAND SPORTS Prepare to smash your way to victory with kit from this popular sporting goods shop, including rackets and balls. O Multiple locations including Granada Mall, en-sa.sssports.com. TOR_EN032_56_57_Sport Outdoor leader_13430403.indd 56TOR_EN032_56_57_Sport Outdoor leader_13430403.indd 5630/11/2024 16:1630/11/2024 16:16timeoutriyadh.com December 2024 57 2Padel somewhere to play while Riyadh Season is on. Everyone is catered for here, with junior classes and women’s sessions to the match- making service that will find you a partner for your next game. From the outdoor courts you can watch the cable cars making their way from Boulevard World to Boulevard City. O From SAR210. Open Mon-Sun 9am-2am. Boulevard City, Hittin, @padelrush. PADEL UP One of the most popular padel venues in Saudi, Padel Up boasts eight outdoor courts where you can train while enjoying the fresh air. The facility has all the gear you need, with rackets available from just SAR15. Court bookings start at SAR135 for 60 minutes. Get ready to serve up some fun. O From SAR135. Open daily 3pm-3am. New Diriyah, @padel_up. Padel Up TOR_EN032_56_57_Sport Outdoor leader_13430403.indd 57TOR_EN032_56_57_Sport Outdoor leader_13430403.indd 5730/11/2024 16:1630/11/2024 16:1658 December 2024 timeoutriyadh.com W e are never too old to learn something new. And we are never too young to see just what we are capable of. As Saudi seeks to promote music across the Kingdom (all part of Vision 2030), could this be an opportunity for your family to uncover and nurture some native musical talent? With XP Music Futures and Soundstorm taking the city by (sound)storm, the timing couldn’t be better to capitalise on the interest and enthusiasm your children might just be showing in music. The conference and festival might even have sparked a desire in some parents to rekindle their musical ambitions, so how about learning an instrument together? Riyadh is home to fantastic music schools, but if you prefer to listen rather than learn, that’s perfectly fine – every performer needs an audience. Here’s where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant musical scene that’s taking the city by storm. MUSIC HOME SCHOOL OF ART Licensed by the Ministry of Culture, this institute offers curriculums in both music and dance, all aimed at contributing to the growth of Saudi’s cultural fabric. It encourages the inclusion of music in children’s lives at a young age, recommending they are exposed to music just as they are to language. Courses are offered across guitar, piano, oud, qanun, violin and cello as well as singing techniques. The school also offers a Music Diploma, which aims to qualify the trainee to work in the field of education, training and music performance. O Riyadh Gallery Mall, musichome.sa (054 751 5179). Family & Kids MUSIC HOUSE Aspiring musicians and performers will find themselves right at home at Music House – House of Performing Arts. With three branches in Riyadh, this specialist centre offers lessons in a multitude of musical instruments, including classical guitar, drums, electric bass, piano, saxophone and violin. There are also singing and vocal courses at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, and even a music programme for five and six year olds to prepare them for the main vocal course. O Music House Malqa (055 359 2538), Music House Al Nuzha (050 096 1227), Music House Al Olaya, musichouse.sa (053 269 8340). Hit the high notes Play your part in Saudi’s musical movement by learning an instrument Pianist timeoutriyadh.com December 2024 59 Music school MUSIC NATION This is a music school created with a clear purpose – to train and nurture Saudi talent. You can learn various instruments, including guitar, qanun, oud, piano and violin, all taught by experts. Music Nation also champions the music scene with a series of events, including youth musical nights and performances from well-known Saudi and Gulf singers and musicians. So, even if not every family member wants to learn how to play an instrument or sing, there’s plenty of ways for everyone to show their support. O Alyasmin, themusicnationsa.com (055 903 3445). SAUDI MUSIC HUB Saudi Music Hub believes that learning to play music is not just a skill in itself, but something that can help increase creativity, cognitive ability, confidence and team work. There are singing programmes, a music theory syllabus and lessons in both Western and Arabic instruments, from the flute to Arabic percussions. The hub has spaces for beginners of all ages as well as musicians, bands and orchestras. It’s a real celebration of music with facilities including practice rooms, a recording studio and even DJ booths. O Al Olaya, musichubs.moc.gov.sa (800 500 0060). YAMAHA MUSIC SCHOOL Founded in Japan, Yamaha Music School brings 70 years of music education know-how to Riyadh. There are two schools, offering a variety of courses to all ages from four and up, such as piano, keyboard, violin, guitar, ukulele and vocals. Lessons include playing techniques but also music theory, reading, ensemble performance and other skills. O Al Olaya and Ar Rabi, adawliahyms.com. GREAT GIGS FONTANA CIRCUS The circus has come to Riyadh. If you’re looking for a fantastic family gig that combines music, illusions, acrobatics and more, don’t miss this experience. Dubbed as a travelling water circus, it’s the first of its kind in the Middle East. O From SAR95. Al Nakheel Mall, riyadh.platinumlist.net. SUWAIDI PARK A free Riyadh Season zone with plenty of performances? Yes, please. That’s what you’ll get regularly at Suwaidi Park. Enjoy international concerts themed around different zones, including Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Jordan, Pakistan and more. O Free. Suwaidi Park, Al Suwaidi, webook.com.Next >