Where We Are Going Today: Armin restaurant in Riyadh

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Updated 17 May 2024
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Where We Are Going Today: Armin restaurant in Riyadh

  • Armenian cuisine is a blend of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Eastern European influences

RIYADH: Riyadh’s popular Armenian restaurant, Armin, takes visitors on a journey of authentic flavors with its heartwarming, aromatic and herby dishes.

Armenian cuisine is a blend of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Eastern European influences with ingredients such as rice, lamb and sumac.

Armin hits the taste nail on the head with a selection of Middle Eastern dishes featuring chicken and lamb kebabs, tabouleh, fattoush, vine leaves, and a popular eggplant dip, muttabal.

The menu provides guests with options aplenty, with vegetarian and omnivorous diners catered for, making it an ideal spot for dining out.

Upon arrival, guests are spoiled with freshly baked pita bread, perfect to plunge into their dipping of choice.

The best appetizer on the menu is the hummus with meat and topped off with crispy pine nuts, making a perfect combination of nutty flavors.

A must-have side dish is the spicy potato, cooked to perfection with a kick of spice and a touch of garlic and coriander.

The star main course is the shish barak, a traditional Armenian dish consisting of dumplings made with a thin dough wrapper and filled with flavorful beef or lamb with onions and a mix of spices.

Shish barak is boiled, unlike Chinese or Japanese dumplings, which are usually pan fried or steamed.

The only downside of the visit is cost — Armin’s prices are on the high side. But given its customer service and delicious food, it is a price worth paying. Although many dishes on Armin’s menu can be found in Middle Eastern restaurants for a fraction of the price, the quality of the ingredients here is unmatched.


 


Where We Are Going Today: ‘Go Greek’ in Jeddah

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Updated 02 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: ‘Go Greek’ in Jeddah

  • The dark blue-and-white-themed story with pink bougainvillea tucked in corners gives off a nice, cool, fresh vibe

While doomscrolling on social media before bed one night, my phone flashed a post about a brand new place called Go Greek that had just opened in Jeddah. I saved it like I always do, but quite unusually, I did not conveniently forget about it. 

So, a few days later after dinner my husband and I drove to one of the new hot spots in town, La Paz Plaza, which houses Jeddah’s Go Greek store.

It was crowded with the queue spilling out of the doors — but rightfully so, because when we got our hands on the yogurt bowls, it was clear why: They were seriously so good! It makes you want to go back for more. 

The dark blue-and-white-themed story with pink bougainvillea tucked in corners gives off a nice, cool, fresh vibe. 

The store has four large vending machines, each with two flavor options. 

You can sample the flavors before you fill your cup depending on your appetite. You are then guided to the next station to choose toppings, with myriad options ranging from different kinds of berries and tropical fruits to seeds, granolas and crumbles.

I went for the dark chocolate and vanilla cup, and my husband chose the pineapple and coconut-flavored cup, which tasted remarkably like pina colada. The yogurt was fresh, rich and creamy, with the berries giving it the right kick of tanginess, while the chia seeds and granola delivered the perfect texture and crunch. 

Payment is done by the gram, weighed right in front of you.

On another counter, they also have plain, Lotus Biscoff and honey-flavored yogurts. I bought a few grams from each to have it at home the next day; and the Lotus Biscoff and honey-flavored ones are indulgent on their own, with no toppings needed. 

Staff members are polite and attentive, and the service efficient. It is definitely worth a visit.