Riyadh
DESTINATION GUIDE WITH NEBRAS ALJOAIB
Riyadh Design City Guide: A Curated Journey with Nebras Aljoaib
Riyadh is emerging as a new design capital where tradition meets modernity. This curated guide to the Saudi capital, led by Nebras AlJoaib, reveals a city in the midst of a cultural and architectural renaissance. From striking contemporary landmarks to spaces that reinterpret Islamic heritage with a modern lens, Riyadh offers a unique dialogue between past and future. With a growing emphasis on art, design, and hospitality, the city is positioning itself as a hub for global creatives. Discover Nebras AlJoaib’s favourite places to dine, shop, and explore in this dynamic and fast-evolving destination.
september 2025
Words: designeers and nebras aljoaib
art gallery:
Mono Gallery
Situated near Ad-Diriyah, Mono Gallery Riyadh is a must-visit contemporary art gallery showcasing Saudi and international artists. Known for bridging heritage with modern design, it has become a key cultural destination in the Saudi capital.
A breakfast and coffee stop:
Somewhere, Bujairi Terrace
Located in Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah, Somewhere offers a sophisticated mix of Arabic and Mediterranean flavours in a setting that blends heritage architecture with stylish modern design. Indoor and outdoor seating, elegant ambiance, it’s a go-to spot for food lovers and design-aware travellers alike
A DESIGN MUSEUM not to MISS:
Diriyah Art Futures
Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) is the MENA region’s first hub dedicated to new media and digital arts, located in Diriyah in Riyadh. Opened in 2024, the 12,000 sqm facility by Schiattarella Associati includes studios, exhibition spaces, research labs, artist residencies, and innovative programming. With its blend of heritage architecture and cutting-edge digital expression, DAF is a must-visit institution for design lovers exploring Riyadh.
photo: schiattarella associati
A lunch to indulge into:
Nozomi
Located in Al Olaya, Riyadh, Nozomi is a high-end Japanese Asian-fusion restaurant known for its sleek, elegant interiors, ambient lighting, and a lively yet refined dining atmosphere. It fuses minimalist design with warm wood finishes and premium materials, making it both a destination for fine dining and an experience for lovers of design and aesthetics.
a design hotel to stay in:
Bab Samahan
Bab Samhan is a luxury hideaway in the heart of Diriyah, just outside Riyadh. Celebrating Najdi architecture with mud-brick buildings, quiet courtyards, earthy tones, and handcrafted details, it offers guests a serene connection to Saudi heritage with modern comfort. The hotel’s three signature restaurants, spa & wellness centre, and proximity to the UNESCO site of At-Turaif make it a must-stay for design lovers and culture travellers.
FINE DINING RESTAURANT:
La Petite Maison
A slice of the Côte d’Azur in the Saudi capital, La Petite Maison Riyadh pairs French Mediterranean flavours with an art-driven interior refresh. Sunlight pours over bold canvases, deep burgundy tones, and sculptural banquettes, making it one of the city’s most elegant dining rooms.
An iconic architectural landmark:
KAFD Grand Mosque
Located in the heart of the King Abdullah Financial District, the KAFD Grand Mosque is an architectural masterpiece by Omrania inspired by the desert-rose formations of Saudi Arabia’s deserts. With its sculptural stone cladding, column-free interiors, two 60m minarets, and a “fifth façade” roof designed to be admired from the surrounding towers, it strikes a striking balance of spiritual purpose and modern design. A must-visit for lovers of geometry, light, and landmark architecture.
Your go-to CULTURAL EXPERIENCE:
Fenaa Al Awwal Cultural Centre
A cultural landmark in the Diplomatic Quarter, Fenaa Alawwal transforms the former Alawwal Bank building into a dynamic creative hub. With exhibitions, workshops, a sculpture courtyard, and a specialist art library, it’s where Saudi heritage meets contemporary artistic innovation.
A place to adventure out of town:
Ushaiger Heritage Village
About 200 km northwest of Riyadh, Ushaiger Heritage Village is a beautifully preserved Najdi settlement where mud-brick homes, timber-framed walkways, and narrow, winding alleys offer an immersive journey into Saudi Arabia’s past. With ornately carved doors, triangular windows, palm groves, and local museums, it’s a dream for lovers of architecture, heritage, and quiet discovery.
A place to find art, furniture, design objects:
Souq Al Zal
One of Riyadh’s oldest and most atmospheric markets, Souq Al Zal in Dirah, is where heritage and design entwine. Think carpets, antiques, oud, incense, traditional clothing, each stall a story. Wander its alleys at golden hour when the light softens and the textures, colours, and aromas come alive.
Favourite concept store for design inspiration:
Collective Africa at Flamingo Room by Tashas
Nestled in Bujairi Terrace, Diriyah Gate, Riyadh, Collective Africa is a luxe retail concept inside Flamingo Room by Tashas that celebrates contemporary African design. Think handmade objet d’art, fashion, jewellery and home-goods. Each piece rich in heritage and crafted with flair. It’s a destination for design lovers wanting style, craft & a sense of global culture.
Flamingo Room by Tashas
More from Nebras Aljoaib
Where Silence Speaks: A Saudi Vision in Milan
Known for her collaboration with Artemest and her standout installation, The Reading Room at Milan Design Week, Nebras brings a poetic, grounded sensibility to the forefront of contemporary Arab design, reimagining spaces that resonate across cultures. Whether designing a marble-slung chair or curating the flow of a space, her work invites presence, reflection, and quiet distinction.
More Destinations
