Adding to the ever-growing collection of different ice creams is Unicone, an ice cream parlor that offers Jeddah residents a famous Japanese street food waffle called Taiyaki served with ice cream.
Taiyaki buns are cakes made in the shape of a fish traditionally filled with red bean paste; however, Unicone has swapped that filling with soft-serve ice cream of your choice, whether more traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla or something fruity like mango and berries, or even something different like red velvet — or baby food.
The ice cream is smooth and creamy, and the texture is extremely light, perfect for the upcoming summers in the city.
Once the customer is done choosing the right combination, they can choose their toppings and dig into the picture-perfect ice cream. The shop itself offers the ideal space to take pictures in for social media. Its decoration includes neon signs and lights that look like ice cream cones hanging upside down.
The culture of the ice cream parlor was limited until the early 1980s in Jeddah and other cities in Saudi Arabia, along with other fast foods, but the easy availability of such foods has expanded exponentially in recent years.
Where We Are Going Today: Unicone
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Where We Are Going Today: Unicone
- The ice cream is smooth and creamy, and the texture is extremely light, perfect for the upcoming summers in the city
Where We Are Going Today: Groovy cafe in AlUla
- The brand’s steady expansion reflects its growing popularity across the Kingdom, and this latest outpost feels well placed in the heart of the action
One of the current trendy cafes in AlUla seems to be Groovy in Old Town.
Tucked in a corner among the winding lanes and stone buildings, it has become a notable stop for both visitors and locals looking for a caffeine fix with a view.
Originally from Riyadh, Groovy opened in Jeddah some time later and AlUla is the newer branch, opened about six months ago.
The brand’s steady expansion reflects its growing popularity across the Kingdom, and this latest outpost feels well placed in the heart of the action.
On a recent visit to bustling Old Town, people were happily sitting or standing as they sipped drinks and chatted away.
Some sat in the semi-indoor/outdoor space, others huddled in small groups, phones occasionally lifted for photos or to watch a humorous video.
The vibe was warm and friendly as the cooler breeze swept across.
I tried the coffee and it was good enough, arriving quickly despite the steady stream of customers waiting in line. But I cannot say it stood out; I enjoyed the location and the space itself most of all.
I went during the day and then later at night; each had a fun energy. It would fill up fast and then empty just as quickly.
Its turkey makdous sandwich goes for SR22 ($5.86), a burrata sandwich for SR26, while spicy tuna or halloumi is SR20.
But the establishment is perhaps more famous for its French toast, smothered in a blanket of sticky sweetness. It is dense and decadent, leaning unapologetically into indulgence and clearly designed for those with a sweet tooth.
It is described as “The French toast house. French toast that feels like home.” That makes sense.
While I could not necessarily detect groovy synergy, as its name would imply, it is definitely a lively spot and I enjoyed the atmosphere.
For more details, visit its Instagram @groovysa.
