Where We Are Going Today: Chok pastry shop in Riyadh

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Chok is open from 8:30 a.m. to midnight from Saturday to Thursday, and from 1 p.m. to midnight on Fridays. (Instagram/@chok.ksa)
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Chok is open from 8:30 a.m. to midnight from Saturday to Thursday, and from 1 p.m. to midnight on Fridays. (AN photo by Dhai Al-Mutairi)
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Chok is open from 8:30 a.m. to midnight from Saturday to Thursday, and from 1 p.m. to midnight on Fridays. (Instagram/@chok.ksa)
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Chok is open from 8:30 a.m. to midnight from Saturday to Thursday, and from 1 p.m. to midnight on Fridays. (AN photo by Dhai Al-Mutairi)
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Updated 25 October 2023
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Where We Are Going Today: Chok pastry shop in Riyadh

Brought to you from Barcelona, Spain and freshly baked in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the newest Chok location at the Esplanade guarantees chocolate enthusiasts an incredibly indulgent experience.

Chok is a haven for all things sweet and chocolatey. This pastry shop, known as a pasteleria in Spanish, proudly dubs itself the Chocolate Shop. However, it goes beyond just chocolate.

Chok offers a delightful array of treats, including doughnuts, mini cakes, muffins, truffles, cookies, and cheesecakes.

Some of its highly sought-after sweet treats include coconut and lime mini cakes, mango and raspberry muffins, and white chocolate cheesecake.

These delectable options are priced between SR6 ($1.6) for a truffle and SR39 ($10.4) for a cheesecake. The cheesecake is available in three enticing flavors: Nutella and red berries, white chocolate and mixed berries, and passion fruit.

Chok is also loved for its kronut, a delightful fusion of a croissant and a doughnut. These kronuts are available in a range of flavors, such as red berries, almond cream, and Kinder.

For special occasions like Mother’s Day, Chok provides the ideal package featuring a mini cake, a candle, a bouquet of flowers, and a special card.

The beverage menu comprises both hot and cold options. The hot drinks selection includes hot chocolate (perfect for the upcoming winter season), cortado, espresso, flat white, Americano and a coffee of the day.

Chok’s cold beverages include refreshing options such as an ice shake, ice matcha, ice Americano, ice latte and ice flat white.

Chok is open from 8:30 a.m. to midnight from Saturday to Thursday, and from 1 p.m. to midnight on Fridays.

For more information, visit @chok.ksa on Instagram.


Where We Are Going Today: Cocina La Cantina

Updated 15 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Cocina La Cantina

Mexican restaurant Cocina La Cantina — on Sari Road in Jeddah’s Al-Zahra district — offers a menu focused on traditional flavors with contemporary twists.

I started with three salads, including maiz del fuego and verde brasa. The charred corn and kale were well prepared, and the dressings reflected traditional Mexican flavors.

The seafood dishes — lamica roja and aguachile de camaron — were fresh and retained their natural texture and taste. Guacamole served with crispy plantain provided a simple balance to the spiced dishes. 

The tostadas, especially the salmon and smoked crab versions, were well executed, with each ingredient distinct and flavors authentic. The menu offers a variety of options.

I also tried the birria quesadilla, featuring slow-cooked beef with Oaxacan-style cheese in a blue corn tortilla, and the ribotes — charred corn ribs topped with cotija, lime, tajín, and smoky morita mayo. Totopos with guacamole and pico de gallo completed my round of starters. 

For mains, I had pollo enmolado, with 48-hour marinated chicken in chintextle mole served with XO rice; pipian del mar, featuring salmon with molokhia pipian and macha oil; and carne asada suprema, a 24-hour marinated Wagyu 5+ striploin with guacamole and salsa verde.

The proteins were fresh and cooked to order, with sauces and marinades complementing the dishes as described.

The menu uses Mexican-style names but includes clear descriptions, and the staff are knowledgeable and happy to answer questions. For more information, visit @lacantina.ksa.