Where We Are Going Today: Meez Restaurant

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Updated 05 June 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Meez Restaurant

  • The chicken and burrata pasta is a wonderful dish with a spicy kick, though not essential

Meez, located in both Jeddah and Riyadh, is a vibrant culinary destination that embodies the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern cultures. This establishment captures the essence of the region with its warm hospitality, lively music, and visual feast of colors and spices. It is clear that the founders set out to create a space that celebrates everything we cherish about Middle Eastern traditions.

The menu at Meez is a delightful fusion of flavors, showcasing what they call “Fusion Middle Eastern” cuisine. Each dish is crafted from homegrown ingredients and inspired by cherished family recipes, resulting in unique culinary creations that are both familiar and innovative.

Visitors will find the eggplant fatteh amazing, while the shrimp fatteh is also delicious and distinctive. The musakhan popsicles, however, seemed to be lacking something. The hummus is fantastic, even though it is slightly off season.

The chicken and burrata pasta is a wonderful dish with a spicy kick, though not essential. Likewise, the meat tabliya with dough is a nice addition but not particularly special.

All dishes are well-prepared in both taste and presentation. The restaurant was pleasantly quiet during our noon visit, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the atmosphere.

Meez also excels at breakfast offerings. Visitors are warmly welcomed with milk tea, a lovely touch. The makdous is served atop labneh and fried dough, harmoniously blending sour and nutty flavors. The mini falafel is presented on sticks, accompanied by hummus, potatoes, eggplant, and fried cauliflower, enhanced by a special lemon sauce.

The omelette is served on seasoned sour bread, making it an innovative and complete dish. The musakhan is sweet but could have benefited from a touch of pomegranate molasses.

The egg dish with mushroom and avocado was quite delicious and the pakiza dish is a delightful meshaltet pie with a distinctive sweet dip and well worth trying.

The service at Meez deserves special mention. The waiters are attentive and expedite orders quickly, allowing you to enjoy your meal without feeling rushed. The refreshing lemonade is a highlight as well.

Meez is a fantastic spot for a quick yet flavorful meal, combining excellent food with outstanding service. It is highly recommended for anyone looking to explore the vibrant flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine in a welcoming environment.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Cortaco – Mexican dish in Riyadh

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Updated 26 December 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Cortaco – Mexican dish in Riyadh

  • Cortaco is a homey hole in the wall that almost gives you a shock when you walk in

We’re always looking for the next best Mexican spot to obsess over because, let’s face it, no one can deny the deliciousness of a simple, well-made taco — and we think we’ve finally found it. 

Cortaco is a homey hole in the wall that almost gives you a shock when you walk in.

With its ambiguous exterior, featuring a bar window for outdoor seating, you’d have no clue you were walking into your grandmother’s home. The interior is adorned with vintage decorative pillows, lace and floral curtains, soft lighting, and antique tiles, making every corner of the place an interesting spot to observe. 

Their menu is concise but packed with flavor. After we were served complimentary chips with guacamole and salsa, we started with their signature fries, which were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft within, and the “Frideds,” cauliflower pieces fried with green peppers and jalapeno. 

Their tacos are the main star of the show, however. We opted for their signature birria tacos, which are served with lettuce, tomato, cabbage, and jalapeno on the side. The birria sauce is thicker than we’ve found at other restaurants — a sign it’s made right. 

Their quesadillas are also a great choice, filled with cheese, onions, corn, and grilled peppers. A great thing about Cortaco is that they’re willing to substitute any dish with a vegetarian option, so if you’re plant-based or looking for a healthier option, any meat can be replaced with cauliflower or vegetables.

Another choice for mains is their burrito, which comes in either chicken or beef. The tortilla bread is grilled on the outside, which gives it a crispier texture and smokier flavor. 

Although not a Mexican dish, they also serve chicken and beef Philly cheese sandwiches.

There’s a refreshing selection of soft drinks from their bodega-style fridge, as well as an interesting range of cocktails. We recommend the Jamaica, a blend of hibiscus tea, rose, apple, and berries. 

Overall, the ambience and quality of food really sold us — not to mention the affordability. It’s going to be our spot this winter to have a cozy catch-up with friends over comfort food.