What We Are Eating Today: Joyn Bakery

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Updated 21 May 2021
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What We Are Eating Today: Joyn Bakery

Joyn Bakery offers traditional European and Arabic pastries with a modern twist to suit all tastes.

It has a variety of products, ranging from sandwiches, salads, pickles and cheeses to desserts, such as its caramel pie, featuring a delectable crust on top, sprinkled with granulated sugar.

Among the bakery’s signature products are its extra-crispy crackers with classic Middle Eastern flavors, such as zaatar, sumac and savory chili, all of which you can enjoy with your favorite homemade dip.

Joyn Bakery also makes classic Linzer cookies with jam filling, packed in a jar and perfect for gifting to your loved ones.

In addition to its range of healthy and fresh sandwiches, Joyn Bakery also offers seasonal packs for different occasions, such as its cheese box for picnics and afternoon tea time, its time-saving Ramadan spice pack, and its Eid basket that includes all you need to enjoy a real Hijazi Eid.

For more information, visit the bakery’s Instagram account @joynbakery.


Where We Are Going Today: Tofareya Restaurant in Jeddah and AlUla

Miro Kebab. (Supplied)
Updated 07 March 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Tofareya Restaurant in Jeddah and AlUla

  • The red groats delivered pure comfort; It is a Saudi staple for a reason, with chicken, tomato sauce, a special mix and ghee coming together in a rich, filling bowl

Tofareya is the kind of Saudi comfort-food spot that can satisfy a craving even as takeaway.

I ordered to-go from the Riyadh branch, and while not every dish traveled perfectly, the order had real highlights. The restaurant also has locations in Jeddah and AlUla, which makes it easy to return for the standouts.

The best bite was the Tawferee chicken samosa. The sambousek triangles arrived crisp, with a noticeably crunchy dough that held up well.

Inside, the chicken slices were boosted by a bright lime mixture that gave the filling a fresh, tangy finish.

The kubayba was another favorite. Shaped into neat squares like grape leaves, it was filled with rice and lifted by date syrup, adding a gentle sweetness that felt uniquely Saudi.

A couple of items were less memorable. The hummus and kibbeh were fine, but they tasted basic compared with the stronger dishes.

The mains carried the meal. Beef kabli was deeply satisfying, with spiced rice, meat, potatoes and the orange note that defines kabli, finished with crispy fried onions.

The red groats delivered pure comfort; It is a Saudi staple for a reason, with chicken, tomato sauce, a special mix and ghee coming together in a rich, filling bowl.

The miro kebab is worth ordering, and the limitation here is takeaway, not the kitchen. This Makkah-style kebab comes with tahini, hamar, bread and a steamed egg salad, and it is built around contrast.

Fresh, it should feel layered and dynamic, with warm meat, creamy tahini and bread that still maintains its structural integrity.

In a to-go box, the components soften and merge, so you lose some of the intended texture and definition. Try to eat it immediately after pickup if you can, but ideally, save it for dine-in.

The mulukhiah fattah also needed more intensity. The Hijazi-inspired layering of bread, molokhiya, tomato sauce and chicken worked in concept, but the overall seasoning could have been bolder to bring the dish into focus.