Where We Are Going Today: Messier82 Roastry in Alkhobar

(AN photo by Waad Hussain)
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Updated 18 September 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Messier82 Roastry in Alkhobar

Messier82 Roastery in Alkhobar is a spot that any coffee enthusiast should check out at least once.

From the moment you step inside, you can tell this place takes its coffee seriously. The space is small and minimalistic, with a clean aesthetic that focuses all the attention on what really matters; the coffee itself.

But it does get a little cramped when more customers arrive, so they could benefit from expanding the seating area. A bigger space would really elevate the overall experience and allow more people to enjoy the atmosphere without feeling crowded.

For my coffee, I went with their iced V60 and chose Uganda Bujjuko, a specialty coffee that turned out to be an excellent choice. The flavor profile was outstanding, with clear notes of chocolate, brown sugar and nuts.

The taste was smooth and perfectly balanced — not too acidic, not too bitter — which made it a pleasure to sip slowly and really savor. It had just the right amount of sweetness and depth to make it memorable, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good filter coffee. It felt carefully brewed, highlighting the quality of the beans and the skill of the barista.

Of course, I couldn’t resist trying their famous tiramisu, which has been trending on TikTok lately. While I had high expectations because of the online buzz, I have to say it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.

The texture was good, but I found the flavor to be rather mild, especially when it came to the coffee element, which is what I think really makes a tiramisu shine. It wasn’t bad by any means, just not as special as I expected considering all the attention it has been getting.

Overall, Messier82 Roastery is worth visiting for the coffee alone. Their beans are high quality, the brewing is precise, and the flavors are rich and well-balanced.

With a bit more space and some refinement to their dessert menu, they could easily become one of the top coffee destinations in Alkhobar.

For more information, check their Instagram @messier82.sa


Where We Are Going Today: Makbous Express in Riyadh

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Updated 08 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Makbous Express in Riyadh

  • Each option complements the dish in its own way, though the mandi rice seems best suited to absorb the savory depth of the sauce

Sometimes comfort arrives in a takeout box. Makbous Express in Riyadh brings the warmth of home-style cooking to your doorstep, offering familiar Gulf flavors designed for casual indulgence rather than fine dining.

Even without the dine-in experience, the food travels well, retaining much of its authentic charm. The tabolah stands out immediately. A bright mix of parsley, bulgur, tomato, and onion, it tastes crisp and refreshing, cutting through richer dishes with balance and simplicity. It is a welcome palate-cleanser.

The Makbous meat, the restaurant’s bestseller, shows why it carries that title. Tender meat cooked in aromatic saffron sauce arrives perfectly seasoned, with your choice of biryani, mandi, or plain rice.

Each option complements the dish in its own way, though the mandi rice seems best suited to absorb the savory depth of the sauce. This plate captures the essence of Kuwaiti soul food: generous, fragrant, and deeply satisfying.

Less exciting was the shrimp pasta, tossed in Makbous hot sauce. The shrimp were well-cooked, but the overall dish felt predictable, with the sauce adding heat but not much complexity.

The jareesh, made from crushed wheat groats simmered in chicken stock and cumin, then topped with butter or wild ghee, is pure comfort food. Warm, wholesome, and nostalgic, it delivers understated satisfaction rather than surprise. It’s the kind of dish that feels like home cooking done right.

The potato stew was runny for my taste and lacked the richness needed to tie its flavors together. A thicker texture or deeper spice could have made it more enjoyable, especially if it had more body.

Despite a few uneven dishes, Makbous Express succeeds in delivering the homely warmth of Kuwaiti cuisine, one that speaks of tradition, spice, and generosity. It may not dazzle at every turn, but for days when you crave hearty, unpretentious comfort food, this express route hits close to home.