This is probably just part one of a long series, because new restaurants are opening up on a daily basis in Riyadh. This month has been really quiet and cabin fever is a real issue when temperatures prevent us from going outside.
The weather also makes me unusually tired and irritable so it's been difficult to stick to a routine. To combat the isolation, a few of us that are still around for the Summer are now semi-regularly getting together to chat and discover new lunch spots. I'm on a mission to find the best avocado on toast Riyadh has to offer. It's a fairly recent idea so I'm only at the start of the journey. These are my favourite places so far.
Chapter
If you follow me on Instagram then you've seen me raving about this place. Chapter is the one I keep returning to - their coffee is amazing, the decor is minimalistic and very chic and the all day brunch menu has a great variety of sweet and savoury dishes. They also serve the best avocado on toast I have tried in Riyadh so far. It has a sweet note to it thanks to the labneh, dried fruit and crunchy nuts scattered around it. The cilbir eggs are another great choice for a warm savoury breakfast or lunch. This ever so slightly spicy dish from Turkey is light enough to leave enough space for dessert. Which is great, because the banoffee pie is amazing.
A.O.K. Kitchen
My favourite daytime food stop in KAFD is the Riyadh outpost of London's famed A.O.K. Kitchen. The modern, eclectic vibe and interior are really fun and inviting and service is always great. There is a great mocktail menu and they're happy to accommodate requests for no added sugar in my drinks, which, let me tell you, is often not the case. The matcha mocktail with jasmine tea is phenomenal. The all day menu has a good variety of options ranging from pancakes to burgers. My go to is avocado on toast with extra smoked salmon, which is a solid choice. I had my poached eggs overdone here before though so I try to avoid ordering them in the future. I have yet to try the afternoon tea which debuted at the end of last year and is offered daily between 5pm - 7pm.
Éloge
I'm actually sitting comfortably at one of the tables nursing a raspberry danish and a flat white while French chansons are playing in the background typing away happily on my laptop. It's my first time visiting Éloge, a cute French cafe next door to Chapter.
The interior is reminiscent of a Parisian street, complete with street lamps. I had an avocado on sourdough with a poached egg, which is my go to order when I first visit a new place for lunch. The egg was cooked and seasoned to perfection. The guacamole on the toast was really light and refreshing, served with burrata and a touch of green pesto, pea shoots and balsamico on the side and it was really delicious. Sadly my toast started to get soggy by the time I finished, but it didn't take away from the flavour. I couldn't resist and also tried a raspberry danish, which was truly divine. Not overly sweet, encrusted in a gorgeous, buttery, flaky pastry. I will definitely be back for more!
Cafe Bateel
One of the most popular chains in the city, Bateel is most famous for their fantastic selection of organic dates (that make perfect gifts for every occasion). They also have a solid breakfast and all day menu featuring all the classics like eggs benedict, omelettes, shakshuka, soups, salads and sandwiches. The pastries are a little underwhelming though so I would opt for a savoury option insteade. I usually have the smoked salmon on rye. The saudi latte is my favourite drink, combining fragrant qahwa with espresso and steamed milk, topped with date syrup because this is one drink where I don't mind the sugar. There is also an iced version of course.
Urth Caffe
I have to admit I only visited the DQ branch once and the first thing I noticed was how overwhelmingly large the menu is. Go, see for yourself. I am not kidding when I say that they have ten different types of omelettes. I know a lot of people are happy to have an abundance of choice, I always get a little nervous when I have to go through a five page menu. And that's just the breakfast options! Despite the excellent service, I remember leaving a bit disappointed because my scrambled eggs were a tad bit bland and the English breakfast doesn't come with baked beans, so what's the point?
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