Hard to miss with its large brown logo and lines of customers often stretching around the block, Kultura has taken over TikTok’s for-you pages, setting the scene for autumn in Riyadh with its viral fall menu beverages.
The cafe has made a name for itself with its desert-inspired interior and cloud coffee, becoming a go-to spot for those seeking trendy, seasonal matcha and coffee.
Kultura currently has three locations in Riyadh — Hittin, Al-Ghadeer and Al-Rayyan — with a website teasing a soon-to-open branch in Paris.
On entering the cafe, their quote, “where quiet design and shared rituals come to life,” fits the ambience perfectly.
The design is soft in color yet striking in decoration. The barista bar is made of jagged gray stone, with brown walls and seating, evoking a sleek desert vibe.
As someone who usually prefers bitter matcha, I was curious to try their popular cinnamon toast matcha — and was pleasantly surprised.
Topped with pieces of cinnamon toast crunch cereal and cloud cream, the drink offers a dessert-like experience, balancing the umami of matcha with the sweetness of cinnamon and sugar. While enjoyable as a treat, I would choose something less sweet for an everyday caffeine fix.
I also tried their staple beverage, the signature ritual iced Kultura. This drink has a more classic taste with a hint of sweetness from the soft cloud cream on top — perfect for coffee lovers who prefer traditional caffeine with a touch of cream.
When it came to food and dessert, two items stole the spotlight on TikTok; the Kultura burrata sandwich and the crispy French toast. I chose the burrata sandwich as my savory option before finishing with the crispy French toast for dessert.
The sandwich combined burrata cheese, pesto and pomegranate molasses — perfect for those who enjoy a savory dish with a hint of tang.
I ordered the crispy French toast with Belgian Lotus sauce, topped with vanilla ice-cream. The dessert was both fluffy and crunchy, with the Lotus tying it all together nicely.
The items took some time to prepare, but I was entertained by the magnet wall next to the barista bar, where customers can personalize the board.
When my orders arrived, I received autumn-themed sticker sheets — acorns and cinnamon sticks — which I decorated on my drink cups.
I was lucky to find seating to enjoy my food, while others had to take their items to go, missing what Kultura calls a “sensory experience.”
If you are fortunate enough to get a seat after waiting in line, you’ll enjoy not only the tasty items but also Kultura’s carefully curated atmosphere.
