Have you ever had a savory cinnamon bun? Neither had we, but Darcin has changed the game. As their slogan says, it’s “not your ordinary spice — it’s cinnamon with attitude.”

The self-proclaimed “Home of the Cinnamon Roll” is in Riyadh’s Al-Rayyan district. It invites you to its outdoor seating area through a wall of natural greenery, equipped with heating lamps that make it the perfect spot to spend a cozy winter night reading a book or catching up with friends. 

We started off with the halloumi pesto roll, which was savory, indulgent and vibrant with creamy basil flavors. The bun itself was extremely soft, almost like a Japanese milk bun, and the halloumi was well cooked and topped with sundried tomatoes. 

The labneh zaatar roll was also a great choice, similar to a manakeesh with its creamy and aromatic flavor.

We capped our meal by indulging our sweet tooth; there are a decent number of options, ranging from a mixed berry cheesecake and pistachio kinafeh to halawa or a creamy tiramisu. It was tough to pick from all the mouthwatering cinnamon rolls on offer, but we settled on the maple pecan, which was great if you’re not looking for something too intensely sweet.

The coffee was also great, and the venue was quite busy for a weekend evening, with all the outdoor seating occupied at some point.

One thing to note is that we didn’t get the best service when we were there. The staff were not especially helpful in providing recommendations, oddly telling us they had no savory options until we proved otherwise by pointing at the menu. 

Regardless, it’s a lovely place to visit if you are seeking new places to hang out in Riyadh or want to grab a treat to take home. They have a selection of sharing boxes that would be great for a night in or a large gathering.