Where to Visit, Shop, Eat and Sleep in Saudi Arabia

The fast-paced transformation of Saudi Arabia is reflected everywhere, including in the burgeoning art scene, gleaming architecture, innovative local retail concepts and the influx of international restaurateurs. From shimmering new seaside hotels to outposts of Hollywood’s favorite hangouts in Riyadh, the Kingdom is teeming with new hot spots and places to visit that highlight both the traditions and modernization of the country.

Here, a look at some fashion-insider favorites.

DISCOVER

JAX District

Riyadh’s thriving art hub, the Jax District, is a complex of more than 100 renovated warehouses that just hosted the first Diriyah Contemporary Biennial. Redeveloped in the last five years, the former industrial area is now home to the first contemporary art museum in Saudi Arabia, dozens of galleries and artist studios, an ever-changing rotation of fashion pop-ups, independent movie showings and more. The Warehouse, a space set up by the founders of MDL Beast, the region’s answer to Coachella, gives emerging artists a space to practice and perform music live.

Al Diriyah Al Jadidah, Riyadh

AlUla 

This UNESCO World Heritage location has quickly become one of the Kingdom’s most iconic tourist destinations since the country opened up to foreign visitors five years ago.  The vast 8,500-square-mile area in the northwest of Saudi Arabia is a both an archeological and cultural hotspot. The current main attraction is the mirror-clad Maraya Concert Hall nestled amid ancient Nabatean ruins that has recently attracted the likes of Alicia Keys for live concerts as well as droves of tourists for Instagram-worthy photo-ops.  Maraya’s mirrored exterior walls, which set a Guinness World Record for being the largest mirrored building in the world, reflect the stunning desert surroundings of AlUla. Occupied since the 12th century,  AlUla’s old town is  a conservation site with a fascinating maze of mud-brick houses built on a slight elevation and overlooked by a 10th-century citadel. The once remote area  of the country attracts so many visitors it is now home to a Banyan Tree resort and has its own international airport servicing the desert oasis.

EAT

Takya

Located at Bujairi Terrace in the rustic Diriyah neighborhood of Riyadh, this innovative Saudi restaurant overlooks the UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif.  Serving inventive contemporary interpretations of Saudi cuisine like pumpkin date salad with goat cheese and saleeg, a Saudi style creamy risotto dish, the restaurant’s founder, Hadeel Almotawa, focuses on educating visitors on the different regions and local ingredients of Saudi Arabia through cuisine.

Their inventive drinks list contains flavorful mocktails like the Desert Rose with rose, pomegranate and cardamom.

Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah

Jon and Vinny’s 

Los Angeles-based Jon & Vinny’s recreates the same breezy vibe of its famous California outposts in Riyadh. Opened few weeks ago, this trendy new hot spot  in the bustling Al Dabab neighborhood brings the charm of an Italian American neighborhood diner to the Saudi capital. Forgoing fancy Italian dishes, Jon & Vinny’s is all about making authentic, regional Italian cuisine — homemade red sauce and Bolognese, razor-thin hand-tossed pizzas with the perfect charred crust and American-inspired classics like hearty chicken parmigiana.

Turki Ibn Abdullah Al Saud, As Sulimaniyah, Riyadh

SLEEP

The Jeddah Edition

If a city has arrived once they have an Edition Hotel, then Jeddah is firmly on the map. Ian Schrager’s 20^th outpost of the genre-defining Edition boutique hotels recently opened its doors on the Red Sea in the heart of Jeddah’s corniche. The modern urban resort is perched atop one of the most exciting corners of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Circuit — the fastest Formula 1 racetrack in the world. It also features a French-Asian restaurant, Maritime, by renowned chef Cédric Vongerichten, son of Jean-George, and a rooftop pool. Guests can set sail on the clear blue waters of the Red Sea from the adjacent Yacht Club marina.

7044 Al Kurnaysh Br Rd, Ash Shati, Jeddah

SHOP

Mwaz

This 18,000-square-foot fashion concept store is an immersive experiential shopping destination blending fashion, technology and art. Spread across three levels in Riyadh’s tony VIA Riyadh complex, Mwaz integrates holograms and lift-and-learn technology to help create a personalized experience for shoppers. The space is constantly transforming with massive digital screens and changing art displays. Their edit, which changes from season to season, focuses on limited-edition pieces from both local and international labels like Victoria Beckham, Alex Perry, Rosario and Maticevski. The current season includes standout pieces from the new collection of London-based Huishan Zhang, a dramatic sateen black dress and jacket by Monique Lhuillier, a statement sleeved gown by Yousef Akbar and an embroidered pant-and-top combo from Beirut-based couturier Azzi & Osta.

VIA Riyadh, First Floor, Al Hada, Riyadh

Homegrown Market

When the Jeddah-based concept store Homegrown Market was founded 10 years ago by Tamara Abukhadra, it was a first-of-its-kind concept for budding designers from Saudi Arabia and across the Middle East. Today it continues to offer independent brands a platform both online with worldwide shipping and at their flagship location in Jeddah’s trendy Hayy Jameel, a dedicated art and creative hub.

Prince Saud Al Faisal, Ar Rawdah, Jeddah