Where We Are Going Today: Jones the Grocer in Riyadh

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The restaurant’s atmosphere and chic, contemporary interior make it an ideal spot for a quick lunch or casual dinner. (Supplied)
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The restaurant’s atmosphere and chic, contemporary interior make it an ideal spot for a quick lunch or casual dinner. (Supplied)
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The restaurant’s atmosphere and chic, contemporary interior make it an ideal spot for a quick lunch or casual dinner. (Supplied)
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Updated 13 October 2023
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Where We Are Going Today: Jones the Grocer in Riyadh

Jones the Grocer recently opened its artisan cafe, bakery, patisserie, gourmet grocer, deli and cheese room in the heart of the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh.

The restaurant’s atmosphere and chic, contemporary interior make it an ideal spot for a quick lunch or casual dinner.

A walk-in cheese room is stocked with specialist offerings from around the world, including an English pecorino and Italian Parmigiano Reggiano.

The menu features mouthwatering dishes with an Australian twist, including the Jones wagyu burger, grilled harissa chicken, and prawn and chili linguine.

Signature creations on the dessert menu include pistachio milk cake delight and an indulgent honey cake.

The virgin cocktail menu has refreshing options for diners to pair with meals, such as the virgin Mary with spicy tomato juice, green olives, celery and pickle; and the black basil and lemon fizz, with soda, fresh basil, activated charcoal and lemon juice.

The gourmet grocer includes pantry delights, such as jam, pasta, and sauces to elevate any homemade meal.

Hampers and gift baskets sold in the grocery store are a great choice for customers looking to buy a gift for food lovers.

With more outlets due to open across the Kingdom in coming years, Jones the Grocer has highlighted its commitment to widening the culinary options available to food enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia.

The food emporium was founded in 1996 in Australia, and has 33 outlets across the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and India, with plans to expand into Singapore and the UK.


Where We Are Going Today: Under 500

Updated 20 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Under 500

  • Both their soups, the lentil and the roasted tomato, are wonderful; I’ve been enjoying pairing either one with a main (a combo special Under 500 offers)

A place for all the gym rats and diet fiends, Under 500 offers fairly tasty meals complete with nutritious goodies, all of which are, well, under 500 calories.

I’ve quickly grown fond of this cloud kitchen — I won’t tell you it is the most delicious food you’ll ever have, but would absolutely recommend it if you want good meals that will leave you feeling energized and satisfied.

They have a wide selection of options; pasta, sandwiches, salads, bowls, rice meals, soups and some breakfast options.

First things first; all of their food smells amazing. They definitely load it up with spices to kick up the flavor since they are being conscious about what to put in it.

Both their soups, the lentil and the roasted tomato, are wonderful; I’ve been enjoying pairing either one with a main (a combo special Under 500 offers). The lentil, though it may need an extra pinch of salt and pepper, gives you a little taste of home while the roasted tomato is creamy and packed with Italian flavors.

They also add fresh kale to the lentil soup, an unusual choice I was a little iffy about but have grown to enjoy for its texture.

Another favorite is the grilled chicken burger, topped with a chipotle mayo, tomato salsa, guacamole and sauteed mushrooms in a multi-cereal bun. Be warned that it is a little messy, but very tasty.

Also recommended is their cheesesteak sandwich, made with tenderloin beef strips and topped with grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms, mixed peppers and mild cheddar cheese in a whole wheat baguette; perfectly good and enjoyable.

Their chicken quesadilla is also not a bad choice for a light meal — a little thinner than I would like maybe and I wish the salsa was spicier, but I did enjoy the flavors of this dish.

Now their hot meals; while yet to try their pasta, I have become well acquainted with the rice dishes.

The kabsa, chicken tikka biryani and their famous butter chicken are all solid picks. For me, the best out of the three is the butter chicken, which comes with a small side salad made up of cucumbers, tomato and pomegranate seeds (again, unusual choice but I don’t mind it).

A meal I would not order again is the chicken mushroom with mashed potatoes — the chicken and sweetcorn mash were good and so were the steamed vegetables on the side, but the mushroom sauce was not the right taste at all — much too tangy and no true mushroom flavor.

I have been recommended the steak and eggs and the honey mustard salmon bowl, and have to say the salmon quinoa looks very interesting with the grilled vegetables on the side; all of which I look forward to trying.

Overall, will Under 500 blow your mind? No. Will you find yourself reordering from it because of its reliability, decent cost, health factor and pretty good flavors? Yes, so try it out.