5 Best Coffee Shops With Great Desserts I’ve Personally Tried in Riyadh
5 Best Coffee Shops With Great Desserts You Should Try in Riyadh
Living in Riyadh means you will never run out of options when it comes to great coffee and sweets.
There are plenty of coffee shops tucked into every corner and neighborhood of the city.
As an expat who has spent a year living in Riyadh, I have explored quite a few spots that don’t just serve great coffee, but also offer a huge variety of desserts to choose from.
After all, don’t you just love a coffee shop that masters both? It means you can spend hours chatting with friends while enjoying a caffeine fix and something sweet on the side.
1. The Cheesecake Factory
This is the OG. You have probably heard of The Cheesecake Factory regardless of where you’re from, but did you know there are 2 branches in Riyadh?
My favorite outlet is the one near Granada Mall as it is very huge.
While they are famous for their cheesecake and meals, my personal favorite is actually their chocolate cake.
They have a huge variety of cheesecakes and non-cheesecake options, but I keep coming back for their Linda’s Fudge chocolate cake. If you love a good, dense, and rich chocolate cake, you should absolutely try it.
The size of one slice is easily enough for two people, or even three if you’re just looking for a few bites after dinner!
Price: SAR 52 ($14) per slice
Location: Google Maps
2. Bread Ahead
Next up is Bread Ahead. They are very famous in Riyadh now, and you can find them almost everywhere, especially inside the major malls.
We actually stumbled upon their Tahlia Street branch while visiting for their Saturday winter market, and I’m so glad we did!
They have a wide selection of desserts, but when I saw how tempting their chocolate cake looked, I just couldn’t resist trying it.
The cake is truly great, and the best part is the price. It’s much more affordable than a slice at The Cheesecake Factory, which is a total win in my book.
What’s not to love about a delicious chocolate cake at an affordable price?
Price: SAR 26 ($7) per slice
Location: Google Maps
3. On Off Cafe
If you are new to Riyadh, you should absolutely check out this spot. I was so surprised when my husband brought me here for the first time!
They have variety of desserts you can choose, and the prices are incredibly budget-friendly.
Unlike many coffee shops in Riyadh that sit at a higher price point, this one is definitely a steal.
On our last visit, my husband and I had 2 cups of specialty tea and 4 different kinds of desserts, and the total bill was only around SAR 60–70 ($16 – $19).
Location: Google Maps
4. Secret Pot Bakery
Secret Pot Bakery is a spot I explored recently, and I immediately fell in love with the interior, it is so aesthetically pleasing!
One thing I noticed right away was that it was filled with locals, I didn’t see any other expats while I was there.
That is always a hidden gem green flag for me! My top tip for knowing if a place is worth visiting is seeing a crowd of local Saudis there 🫣
I wanted to try their chocolate cake but unfortunately, it wasn’t on their menu. They have chocolate brownies and a couple other pastries and desserts.
My husband and I ordered two cups of tea (we always opt for tea if we’re out at night, as we are definitely not night owls!), one chocolate babka, and one plain sugared donut.
The chocolate babka came with a chocolate sauce that I absolutely loved. I bet you can tell by now that I’m a huge sucker for anything chocolate!
Despite the luxurious interior and the high quality of the treats, we were once again pleasantly surprised by the bill.
The total bill was only SAR 54 ($14). For the quality of the food and the beautiful atmosphere, this coffee shop is an absolute steal in Riyadh.
Location: Google Maps
5. ON Cafe
ON Cafe is another spot in Riyadh that offers a fantastic selection of desserts. What really makes them stand out from the rest, though, is their beautiful interior.
The branch I visited is located inside Park Avenue Mall. Since they have an outdoor seating area, it’s a perfect spot to hang out during winter in Riyadh.
The decor is very Instagrammable, so make sure you snap a picture or two (of yourself, not other).
And, as you might have guessed, I had to try their chocolate cake. It was definitely good, but if I’m being honest, I don’t think it can beat the Bread Ahead chocolate cake just yet.
Still, for the vibes and the setting, it is well worth a visit.
Location: Park Avenue Mall
