From slow-cooked lentils to sizzling gallaya, these early-morning gems are more than just food — they’re heritage on a plate
In a city that rarely sleeps, breakfast in Riyadh is anything but boring. Walk into any of these five places and you’ll find warm bread fresh from the oven, tahini-slicked hummus, and the smell of cardamom dancing in the air. These aren’t just meals—they’re memories served hot.
Whether you’re a curious traveler or a born-and-bred Riyadhi, these restaurants are putting the soul back into breakfast with recipes your grandmother would proudly approve.
AlKofeia: Palestinian Soul Food with a Side of Nostalgia
It’s the kind of place where the walls talk. Old radios, dusty photographs, and coffee cups that haven’t changed since the 60s. AlKofeia wears its nostalgia like a badge of honor.
Don’t let the kitschy decor fool you—this is real food. The gallaya tomato with meat is oily in the best way, like a hug from your aunt who insists you eat more. Shakshouka here comes bubbling in its pan, the eggs just the right kind of runny.
One sentence won’t do it justice, but here it is anyway: AlKofeia is comfort food with attitude.
Hamsa Taghmeesa: Classy Plates, Big Flavor
If AlKofeia is a loud family gathering, Hamsa Taghmeesa is the elegant cousin who shows up in a thobe freshly pressed. The vibe? Upmarket but warm.
They serve the kind of food that makes you close your eyes and nod. Lentil stew that’s been simmering since sunrise. Fried liver with caramelized onions. Dips you’ll want to bathe in.
It’s all about the details here. Their baked halloumi has a crispy golden skin that gives way to molten, salty bliss inside. Every “taghmeesa” (dip and scoop) hits differently.
Not a single dish tries too hard, and that’s the magic.
Najd Village: A Time Capsule You Can Eat In
Let’s get one thing out of the way—this place is a whole scene. You sit cross-legged on patterned rugs. Your food arrives in clay pots. And the servers? Dressed in traditional Najdi garb.
It’s more than breakfast—it’s a peek into the past.
Their menu leans heavily on Najdi traditions:
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Hininy: sweet mashed dates with ghee and bread
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Jareesh: crushed wheat with buttermilk and spices
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Qursan: flatbread soaked in veggie stew
You’ll leave full. You’ll leave sleepy. You’ll probably take photos for your Instagram, too.
Here’s a quick peek at what to expect:
| Dish | Main Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hininy | Dates & ghee | A winter favorite |
| Jareesh | Cracked wheat | Creamy, like Middle Eastern risotto |
| Qursan | Thin bread stew | Hearty and earthy |
Good luck walking out without feeling like you’ve just left your grandmother’s majlis.
Shatshat: Tiny Kitchen, Big Buzz
You might miss it if you blink. Tucked away in one of Riyadh’s quieter corners, Shatshat doesn’t scream for attention—it lets its food do the talking.
The place is small. The menu? Even smaller. But everything they serve is dialed in to perfection.
One paragraph won’t cut it, but let’s try: the fava bean stew here is slow-cooked till it sings, and the pickled veggies on the side? Sharp enough to cut through any early-morning grogginess.
Expect to wait. Expect to come back.
You’ll want to show this place off to someone. That’s how good it is.
Maiz: For the Instagram Crowd (But the Food Is Legit)
Maiz is what happens when tradition meets soft lighting and tasteful tiles. It’s stylish—yes—but not at the expense of authenticity.
The staff know their stuff, too. Ask about the origin of their foul medames, and you’ll get a mini lecture on Egyptian farming regions. And that’s not a complaint.
Here’s the twist: they serve traditional breakfasts in tasting portions. A bit of this, a bit of that. So you don’t have to commit to one thing when you really want five.
Their sampler tray is a morning MVP.
It’s beautiful, it’s curated, and it tastes like home. Just dressed up for a photo shoot.
