Where We Are Going Today: Hot Taste

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AN photo by Waad Hussain
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AN photo by Waad Hussain
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Updated 08 November 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Hot Taste

  • The menu is simple: smash burgers, sides, and drinks — nothing gimmicky or overdone

Hot Taste is the kind of burger spot you might overlook — not because of the food, but because the brand rarely advertises itself. No bold campaigns, no hype, no loud billboards. Yet once the food arrives, it’s clear this place knows what it is doing.

The menu is simple: smash burgers, sides, and drinks — nothing gimmicky or overdone.

I tried three of their bestsellers: the Classic, the Smoke, and the Big Show. All stood out for one thing: the patty. Well-seasoned, juicy, and carrying real beef flavor rather than being drowned in sauce. The Big Show, topped with a fried egg and melted cheese, adds just the right twist.

The sides showed similar care. The dynamite shrimp were crispy (although slightly heavy on sauce). The mango salad and the Island juice offered a refreshing balance between bites.

If Hot Taste has a weak spot, it is visibility. The branding is low-key, and the locations — tucked away in Dammam and Al-Ahsa — don’t stand out. Most people find it by chance or word of mouth rather than through marketing. With stronger promotion, it could easily rank among the region’s most popular burger places.

Still, the experience speaks for itself: fair prices, good portions, and quality that exceeds expectations. Check their Instagram — @hot_taste_ksa — for more details.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Lahori Village

Updated 17 February 2026
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Where We Are Going Today: Lahori Village

  • While it is not a hard-and-fast rule, I often happily find that the simpler a restaurant presents itself to customers, the better the food

RIYADH: Sometimes it seems like the gaudiness of a restaurant’s interior is inversely proportional to the quality of the food.

That is why when I am dragged along to an eatery where the staff are dressed in ill-fitting waistcoats, where oversized chandeliers dangle precariously above diners, where faded tablecloths clash with faux vintage wallpaper, my expectations of enjoying a quality meal plummet.

While it is not a hard-and-fast rule, I often happily find that the simpler a restaurant presents itself to customers, the better the food.

These are my favorite kinds of restaurants, the ones that let the food speak for itself.

Lahori Village in Riyadh’s King Fahd district fits comfortably into this second category.

Though clean and comfortable, it is an unfussy establishment with few frills that does one thing very well: serve hearty, authentic and delicious Pakistani cuisine.

The mutton karahi is swimming in flavor — soft delectable chunks of meat in a rich sauce with a ginger tang.

The freshly baked garlic naan has a perfect hint of crunch giving way to soft dough perfect for soaking up a sauce.

The special fish barbecue is another highlight, with expertly balanced spice and sweetness.

Not every dish is available every day, so if you are after something in particular make sure to check the menu ahead of time.

But that limitation does not seem to put off customers, the place has been bustling with activity every time I have visited.

The cool kheer was a fantastic way to close off the meal — a light, sweet offering that leaves little to be desired.

And in a city rife with eye-watering prices, Lahori Village is a welcome respite, with the bill unlikely to upset most diners.

It is an all-round honest offering to the punters of Riyadh and well worth a visit.