Where We Are Going Today: SAJE Cafe in Alkhobar

Matcha fix of the day. Breezy, creamy, and impossibly good. (AN photo by Waad Hussain)
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Updated 16 November 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: SAJE Cafe in Alkhobar

  • SAJE also offers a broader matcha menu, with options ranging from vanilla-based cloudy cups to raspberry and peach variations

Located in Alkhobar, SAJE Cafe has built a reputation as one of the city’s most distinctive matcha-focused spots, offering a selection that blends playful creativity with clean, minimalist flavors. Despite its small footprint, the cafe has developed a loyal following, largely thanks to one drink that has quietly become a local favorite: the matcha breeze.

Matcha drinks in the Eastern Province can be hit or miss. Many cafes lean too heavily on milk or syrup, masking the natural flavor of the matcha. SAJE avoids that trap and the matcha breeze stands out because it respects the core ingredient. The drink is blended to a thick, icy consistency without being diluted, and the matcha whip gives it a smooth, velvety texture that feels balanced rather than heavy.

The flavor is clean and surprisingly refined. There is no bitterness, no harsh aftertaste, and no artificial sweetness, a rarity for matcha-based drinks elsewhere. The earthy, natural notes come through clearly, making the drink both refreshing and satisfying.

The only drawback is the pricing. The cup is small for its cost, and for a drink that is easy to finish within minutes, it can feel expensive. Still, the quality helps justify the price.

SAJE also offers a broader matcha menu, with options ranging from vanilla-based cloudy cups to raspberry and peach variations. But the matcha breeze remains the cafe’s standout creation: simple, well-balanced, and crafted with attention to detail. 

For matcha enthusiasts in Alkhobar, SAJE delivers an experience that is hard to match. It may be expensive for its size, but in terms of flavor and texture, it is worth it.

For more details, visit @spotsaje.

 


Where We Are Going Today: Circle 3 at Fenna Alawwal

Updated 03 December 2025
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Where We Are Going Today: Circle 3 at Fenna Alawwal

RIYADH: Fenna Alawwal is located in Riyadh’s Al-Safarat neighbourhood, known as the Diplomatic Quarter, and serves as a cultural and creative hub that embraces a diverse community of thinkers and creators.

Connected to the center, Circle 3 by Acoustic is a restaurant and coffee shop that serves a variety of food options and beverages. I tried the lunch menu and coffee during my visit.

The center is spacious, and the interiors have a minimalist touch; the ambient music was soft and soothing. Overall, the vibes at Fenna Alawwal were very relaxing and pleasant. 

Connected to the center, Circle 3 by Acoustic, which is a restaurant and coffee shop that serves a variety of food options and beverages, where I tried the lunch menu and coffee. (AN photo by Haifa Alshammari)

For SR130 ($35), I ordered the eggplant fattah, the baked lasagna, and coffee after my meal. The cost was understandable, considering the restaurant’s location, and the food was good overall.

One of the services provided by the center was the “short stories” station for visitors interested in reading, along with a mini art gallery in the center’s outdoor area, and a library and bookshop. 

Fenna Alawwal is located in the Al Safarat neighbourhood, known as the diplomatic quarter. (AN photo by Haifa Alshammari)

Yet, I would have liked Wi-Fi, as the center is an excellent option for people looking for a private, quiet spot in Riyadh to enjoy a cup of coffee and work.

Fenna Alawwal also has its own parking lot, which is an advantage considering the low chances of finding an empty parking space near the center.