[City Guide] A Drinkable Cultural Heritage? Trying the Rare White Arabic Coffee in Saudi Arabia (Part 3) – Arabic Coffee Experience Report

In my previous article, I provided a detailed report about encountering white Arabic coffee in Saudi Arabia. This time, I’ll introduce recommended cafes and restaurants in major Saudi Arabian cities while exploring the charm of white Arabic coffee that can be enjoyed throughout the country. I’ll take you through cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and AlUla, sharing the atmosphere of representative establishments in each region along with the appeal of their coffee.

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A Drinkable Cultural Heritage? Trying the Rare White Arabic Coffee in Saudi Arabia (Part 2) – Arabic Coffee Experience

Riyadh: Najd Village

Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia and the center of its culture and economy. In this city, you can enjoy white Arabic coffee at a restaurant called Najd Village, which serves traditional cuisine from the Najd region. Najd Village has several locations throughout Riyadh, making it easy to stop by during your travels.

Najd Village features a beautiful building modeled after traditional Najdi architecture, allowing visitors to experience its history and culture just by being there. Traditional dishes like Kabsa and Matazeez are delicious and especially recommended. After your meal, enjoy white Arabic coffee rich with the aroma of cardamom.

Jeddah: Haif & Kaif Cafe

Next, let me introduce Jeddah, a city along the Red Sea. Here, I recommend Haif & Kaif Cafe located inside Red Sea Mall.

This cafe is characterized by its modern interior and is very popular with young people and tourists. Daytime sightseeing in Jeddah’s scorching summer heat can be physically draining, so it’s wonderful to cool off in Saudi Arabia’s largest shopping mall while enjoying high-quality coffee. Arabic coffee is offered here as a special cup with an elegant and gentle flavor.

Jeddah (Al Balad): Historic Nights Rooftop Cafe

Historic Nights Rooftop Cafe, located in Jeddah’s historic district of Al Balad, features rooftop seating with views of the old cityscape. From the cafe’s rooftop, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Al Balad’s beautiful scenery, with an especially romantic atmosphere in the evening and night.

The white Arabic coffee served here is a carefully brewed cup that captivates visitors with its aroma and flavor. From my personal experience, the coffee here might have a slightly stronger caffeine content. This is definitely one of the cafes you must visit when in Al Balad.

Medina: Alia Al Madinah Farm

Medina is known as a holy city in Islam and is visited by many pilgrims. Here I recommend Alia Al Madinah Farm, a date palm plantation. While not a restaurant, you can purchase fresh dates here and enjoy them with spicy Arabic coffee fragranced with cardamom.

The combination of fresh dates and coffee is refreshingly satisfying and worth a visit. It’s especially recommended to visit during cooler hours. You can stroll through the vast farm and enjoy watching the date harvesting process.

Medina (Suburbs): Bait Sa’af (Yathrib)

There’s another recommended place in Medina. It’s two adjacent restaurants called Bait Sa’af and Yathrib. Bait Sa’af is characterized by its traditional setting and has been a trending restaurant in Medina recently. Though it’s a bit away from the center, it’s a popular spot with a steady stream of locals who drive here specially. Families are directed to Yathrib, while individuals are guided to Bait Sa’af. The charm of this restaurant is that you can enjoy white coffee in a quiet, calm atmosphere while feeling the history of Medina.

AlUla: Joontos

Joontos restaurant in AlUla, which I introduced in my previous article, is a place whose charm lies in its contemporary style that adds Spanish cuisine elements to indigenous Saudi Arabian cuisine.

This restaurant, located in Dar Tantora in AlUla’s “Old Town,” offers a special moment with its white coffee. My experience enjoying white Arabic coffee along with the kind service of the staff during a midsummer visit was unforgettable. Drinking white coffee feeling the tranquility of the ancient city while a cool breeze blows is exceptional.

Arabic Coffee Available in Supermarkets

By the way, in Saudi Arabia, white Arabic coffee can be easily purchased at local supermarkets. Various brands of coffee powder and cardamom spice mixes are sold, allowing you to easily enjoy white Arabic coffee at home. These products recreate the local flavor exactly, allowing you to enjoy the taste even after returning from your trip. Please consider bringing some back as a souvenir of your journey!

What Did You Think?

In this article, I introduced recommended cafes and restaurants in major Saudi Arabian cities while sharing the charm of white Arabic coffee that can be enjoyed throughout the country. White coffee enjoyed with different atmospheres in each location provides a special moment for visitors. Also, Arabic coffee that can be easily purchased at supermarkets can be enjoyed at home, so please give it a try. I’ll continue to share wonderful experiences in Saudi Arabia in my next article, so stay tuned.