Saudi Arabia’s Breakfast Scene Is Having a Global Moment

From Vienna’s Kaiserschmarrn to Lebanese manakish and Japanese soufflé pancakes, Saudi cafés are cooking up a borderless brunch revolution

Breakfast in Saudi Arabia used to be about ful, tamees, and a sweet cup of karak. Today? You’re just as likely to start your morning with an Austrian Kaiserschmarrn or a truffle-loaded shakshuka on brioche. The Kingdom’s morning table is evolving—and it’s doing so with flair, flavor, and unmistakable ambition.

Across Riyadh and Jeddah, breakfast is no longer just fuel. It’s an experience, a lifestyle, and often, a two-hour weekend ritual. And at the center of this movement is a vibrant mix of globally-inspired cafés, each with its own take on the most important meal of the day.

The Rise of the Riyadh Morning Club

Riyadh’s café culture has exploded, especially since the country began opening up socially and culturally in the last few years.

One of the city’s biggest draws right now is Sisi’s Eatery, tucked inside the new wing of Al Nakheel Mall. With soft light, pastel walls, and staff who know their Viennese coffee terms, it feels like a slice of Europe dropped into the Saudi capital.

Their Kaiserschmarrn—fluffy, caramelized pancake shards dusted with sugar and served with berry compote—has developed a kind of cult following. But it’s not all sweets. The menu includes Austrian breakfast staples, from seeded bread baskets to soft-boiled eggs and cured meats.

You’d think the place was in Salzburg, if not for the gentle hum of Arabic around the tables.

Jeddah’s Beachfront Brunch Buzz

While Riyadh is all glitz and indoor elegance, Jeddah brings beachy charm and bold culinary fusions.

On a stretch near Al Andalus, cafés like Maison de Zaid and Urth Caffé draw early risers with menu offerings that span the globe. Think Turkish simit with za’atar cream cheese, acai bowls with Saudi-grown dates, and even tamago sando—Japan’s pillowy egg sandwich—served on locally baked milk bread.

“Jeddah’s mornings feel slower,” said Layla Baeshen, a food blogger based in the city. “It’s less rush, more chill. But don’t think that means less serious food.”

The Cafés Locals Can’t Stop Talking About

Social media has become the heartbeat of Saudi café discovery. One reel on Instagram and suddenly, a little-known spot has a two-hour wait on Fridays. That’s exactly what happened to Buttermilk, a tiny brunch nook in Riyadh that serves up Nashville-style chicken and waffles and New York cheesecake-stuffed croissants.

Some of the most buzzed-about places right now include:

• Over Jar (Riyadh): Belgian chocolate everything—pancakes, croissants, even scrambled eggs with truffle and cocoa.

• Café Bateel (multiple locations): Date-syrup granola with fresh fruit, served with a side of prestige.

• Maya Café (Jeddah): French-Lebanese fusion breakfast with halloumi croissants and rose-petal labneh.

And don’t underestimate the power of a beautiful plate. In the Saudi brunch world, it’s not just about how it tastes—it’s how it photographs.

What’s Driving the Breakfast Boom?

A few things, actually. The shift is partly economic and partly cultural.

Saudi Arabia has witnessed a massive lifestyle transformation since Vision 2030 started pushing for more leisure, tourism, and homegrown hospitality. Add to that a young population with disposable income, a social media addiction, and a craving for novelty, and you’ve got a recipe for a café explosion.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the growth:

And it’s not slowing down. International brands are jumping in, while local entrepreneurs are upping the ante with ultra-premium concepts that combine breakfast with art galleries, perfume bars, or live oud performances.

It’s Not Just Western—Local Flavors Shine Too

Despite the international flair, traditional Saudi flavors haven’t gone anywhere. They’ve just been reimagined.

At Najd Village Café, ful is still the star, but it comes with a soft-poached egg and smoked paprika oil. Khobz & Co. in Jeddah offers open-faced sandwiches on tamees with avocado and pomegranate drizzle.

One café in Al Khobar—Manakish Mafia—sells za’atar flatbreads with cheddar crusts and jalapeño dip on the side. It’s Lebanese breakfast, but with a Tex-Mex twist. Somehow, it works.

And yes, karak is still king. But now it’s offered iced, with saffron, and served in sleek glass bottles.

Don’t Forget the Coffee (and Vibes)

Coffee has become just as important as the food—maybe even more. Saudi’s specialty coffee scene is booming, with Ethiopian beans roasted on-site and baristas who weigh their shots to the tenth of a gram.

But here’s what sets it apart: the café isn’t just a place to eat. It’s where business meetings happen, where influencers shoot content, and where friends linger for hours.

It’s not rare to walk into a spot like EL&N or Dose and see:

• A group of women in abayas doing a casual photoshoot with pink lattes

• A solo laptop warrior coding away on oat milk flat whites

• A family splitting cardamom pancakes while kids build towers from sugar packets

These places aren’t just about breakfast. They’re part of the city’s new rhythm.

Breakfast, But Make It Saudi

At its core, the Saudi breakfast wave is about more than croissants and coffee. It’s a reflection of a society that’s changing fast but doesn’t want to forget its roots. It’s cosmopolitan but grounded. Global, yet local.

Because here, even when you’re eating Kaiserschmarrn, you know you’re in Riyadh.