Where We Are Going Today: Meow Cafe in Dhahran

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Updated 15 April 2023
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Where We Are Going Today: Meow Cafe in Dhahran

  • Apple cider and marshmallow hot chocolate are also available, as well as five types of milkshake, including mango, various fruity mojitos, hot and iced tea, sodas, muffins, cookies, cakes and croissants

Cat lovers can share fun times with their furry friends at Meow Cafe, the “purr-fect” spot to chill on a Ramadan evening.

The cafe’s first branch in the Kingdom, located near gate 6 of the Amwaj Mall in Dhahran, is split into three separate but connected spaces: a cafe serving snacks, and hot and cold caffeinated beverages; a cat play area, where children young and old can play with and feed the cats for a small fee; and a third area for cat grooming.

Tiny cat figurines and kitschy details, such as cat-silhouette napkin holders, add to the feline flavor, while the coffee menu has about 20 options, with offerings such as cafe affogato, rose latte, v60 from four different countries, and Turkish coffee.

Apple cider and marshmallow hot chocolate are also available, as well as five types of milkshake, including mango, various fruity mojitos, hot and iced tea, sodas, muffins, cookies, cakes and croissants.

According to the hostess, iced Spanish latte, costing SR24 ($6), is the most popular drink. There is ample seating and the round tables can accommodate several people. Customers can enjoy their drinks while watching the cats in the glass enclosure if they prefer.

Staff say that all cats are vaccinated and a vet on the premises checks on the animals regularly. On the door, a sign instructs people to follow safety rules before entering the cat space — for everyone’s wellbeing.

It costs SR35 ($9) to enter the glass room housing the cats and play with them for half an hour. For an additional SR10, customers can buy food to feed the cats.

A few kittens were on sale in a cage in the adjacent grooming room. The cafe also sells small fish in a bowl, as well as bird and cat food.

Meow Cafe’s Ramadan hours are between 8:30 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Visit @MeowCafe23 on Instagram for updated hours and costs.

 


Where Are We Going Today: NAC Winter Garden

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Updated 28 December 2025
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Where Are We Going Today: NAC Winter Garden

  • The menu leans on familiar NAC dishes with a seasonal touch

RIYADH: As the sun sets behind the date palms of Wadi Hanifa and the air cools, NAC Winter Garden welcomes diners with soft lighting, the scent of wood smoke, and the glow of outdoor heaters.

Set within Aseel Resort in Diriyah, a short drive from central Riyadh, this seasonal extension of the NAC brand is designed to make the most of the city’s winter months.

It promises outdoor dining, a relaxed atmosphere, and a sense of escape, and, in many ways, it delivers. Unlike NAC’s main branch in Laysen Valley, which operates as a traditional brasserie, the Winter Garden presents a looser, more atmospheric format, positioned somewhere between a cafe and a restaurant. 

The menu leans on familiar NAC dishes with a seasonal touch. Popcorn chicken arrived hot and crisp, complemented by a spicy mayo that added warmth without overpowering the dish.

A rigatoni in pink sauce was comforting and reasonably balanced, though it lacked the kind of memorable detail that makes a dish worth returning for. The standout was a halloumi dish drizzled with honey and sriracha, offering a satisfying mix of sweet, salty, and mild heat with contrasting textures. 

Prices fall in the mid-to-high range for Riyadh. Portions are reasonable, but not all dishes feel like strong value. 

Service was polite but occasionally slow, with noticeable gaps between ordering and delivery. The setting itself was thoroughly arranged, with greenery, warm lighting, and a sense of distance from the bustle of the city.

Within Riyadh’s evolving dining scene, NAC Winter Garden feels like an experiment in seasonal, outdoor dining. It adds interest to the winter landscape and offers a pleasant evening out, but more consistent execution in both the kitchen and service would help it stand out in an increasingly competitive market.