Destination KSA - Your Guide to Saudi

Here’s What to Order from Hunger Station on the Days You Can’t be Bothered

So, there are a lot of options over at Hunger Station, not as many as we would have liked, but enough to make it confusing on the days you just want “hungerstation riyadhsomething good,” but can’t be bothered to cook it yourself. hunger station menu To make it easy for you, here’s a list of […]

5 Indoor Play Areas for Kids in Sharqiya KSA

Play Areas for Kids 1. Gymboree  You do need a membership to utilize the soft play area at Gymboree and to take advantage of their awesome classes, but it is totally worth it. Web: gymboreeclasses-ksa Instagram: @gymboreekhobar 2. Billy Beez  read also : Toy Town Activities For Kids Center in Jeddah One of the largest soft […]

The Many Faces of Sharqiya’s Art Scene

By Anousha Vakani and Hajer Al Alwan Artists from every corner of Sharqiya. KHOBAR RANEEN BUKHARI Tell us more about yourself. I’m a freelance art curator and art consultant. I graduated in 2008 and worked with several companies before finally deciding that I wanted to work with art. In 2012 I started working in Desert […]

5 Pretty Notebooks that will Get You Excited for School

There’s nothing like window shopping on Amazon especially if it is for stationery! We browsed the notebooks and found 5 ultra-pretty ones: 1. Vintage Wonder Leather bound and refillable – this notebook has an embossed compass design on the front and is utterly vintage and beautiful. 2. Retro Journal  This looks it could be a […]

Recipe: Peach-Raspberry Iced Tea

By Norah Al Eisa Somedays it’s a bit too hot for hot tea or coffee, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on caffeine completely. Try this recipe for peach and raspberry ice-tea, perfect for any day of the summer. Ingredients: Directions: Note: If you prefer your iced tea sweetened, add the sugar while […]

10 Food Instagrams From Sharqiya To Follow Immediately

Deciding where to eat can be one of the most difficult tasks in the world. Fortunately for us, Sharqiya is teeming with some amazing instagram food critics who can help you make your decision. Check them out now! 1. Eman Al Majdouie Instagram: @eman.almajdouie Snapchat: amon.m2015 Covers: Sharqiya Contact: via DM 2. Food Critic KSA […]

Book Review: Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation

By Manal Al Dabbagh This book is a must read for any foodie or culinarian. Journalist and food writer, Michael Pollan, the author of “The Omnivore Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food”, brings us another fascinating and informative book. In “Cooked” Pollan writes about the evolution of cooking and how mankind transformed raw ingredients into […]

You’ve Got to Try: The 7 Most Chilled Drinks in Sharqiya

This steaming weather means we are almost always hot and bothered, so when sitting directly in front of the AC is not an option, try these extremely chilled drinks We’ve talked about this before but it doesn’t get old. It’s cold, it’s creamy and it’s topped with Oreos and a splash of coffee. Location: Hafith […]

@saudifooodie’s Dining Pick of the Month

Vive la France Madeleine has always been known as the ultimate French dining experience in Khobar, thanks to its tranquil Parisian atmosphere and admirable personal attention mixed in. It is a place where the passion for food is transferred from the owners through the chefs to the people. The food is wholesome, comforting, innovative and, most […]

7 Online Clothing Boutiques From the GCC Every Girl Should Bookmark

By Norah Al Eisa Tell us your favorite online boutiques @destinationshrq or email us at social@destinationksa.com.

6 Awesome Designs from Papermoon

Recently, one of the Kingdom’s most loved gift-wrapping companies, Papermoon, hosted a design competition where participants were invited to send in their designs for specific categories. Here are the winning designs of the six chosen winners. Head to your closest Papermoon today to get your hands on one of these! Hend Saleh Instagram: @hendasems Website: […]

Swipe for Food

Download an app and get food delivered! FOOD DELIVERY APPS All of these apps offer similar restaurant options: Hunger Station – This one is DS tried and tested: They’re quick and foolproof. Also, the app was established by Ebrahim Al Jassim, mentioned in Forbes Middle East’s 2014 edition of Top 10 Leaders Inspiring a Kingdom. […]

Will Sharqiya Get Bored of Burgers? DS Finds Out!

It had to be addressed. Local burger-men talk about the trend. WHO: MAZIN, OWNER WHERE: MAZIN’S BURGERS What do you think of the burger trend in Sharqiya? It’s a bit too much. What’s more is that they are all focused on fast food; there aren’t enough gourmet burgers. Each new chain is trying to copy […]

Profile of Sharqawi Food Critic: Hesham Baeshen

Technician by day but trusted food critic by night, meet Hesham Baeshen. Hesham Saleh Baeshen came into the food industry purely by chance. A Sharqawi, born and bred, Baeshen works as a supply technician, but he started posting his recipes online about two years ago and the overwhelming response has led him to becoming one […]

Sharqiya Cheap Eats: Bawan Land

Chicken Lick‘en! Once in a blue moon, your soul craves some good ol’ fried, crispy on the outside, extremely tender on the inside and juicy all over chicken. How would you like it if that mouth-watering delight were super spicy as well? We know what you’re thinking, the three magic words: comfort food heaven. Well, […]

Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet

By Manal Al Dabbagh Green Deen is the first book I come across that sheds a light on the environment from an Islamic perspective. The author highlights that protecting the environment is an essential part of our Islamic faith. The book is not an analysis of Quran or hadiths, it is a collection of the […]

Tolerance in Islam

By Eman Bukhari All around the world people,  practice different religions and cultures; they have different histories and speak different languages. The fastest growing religion with currently 1.6 billion followers is Islam. Even though the Quran is in Arabic, this has not stopped its message spreading all over the world. It has been translated into […]

Aiming High – Planning Sharqiya’s Best Events

Aim High is an event planning institution based in Sharqiya. Founded by Lamia Alajaji and Nada Aladel, Aim High is currently run by Arwa Alkhayyal and Danah Garwan.   Aim High is known for their beautifully executed events all over Sharqiya, their events are mostly focused on fashion but with a splash of art and […]

Al Gosaibi Gift of Giving

Seventy-six years of giving back to community and still going strong. Established in 1940, A.H. Al Gosaibi and Bros is one of the oldest and most powerful businesses in and from Sharqiya. Their list of achievements is long, from construction and manufacturing to travel and tourism, but for this month’s issue we spoke to Sahar […]

Passionate Productions

Meet the creative mind behind Vizyon Creative Media. Tell us a little bit about yourself. My name is AbdulRahman Hasan Sandokji and I am originally from Madinah. I studied Industrial Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) and then decided to pursue my passion in filmmaking. I’m the founder, creative director and […]

Annual Ramadan Traditions – Iftar for Cabs

On June 21, Starwood Hotels & Resorts celebrated Iftar with taxi drivers across Saudi Arabia – as a part of its seventh annual ‘Iftar for Cabs’ and its ongoing commitment to the Holy Month of Ramadan. In this year’s initiative, 48 hotels across the region, including Le Meridien Al Khobar, effectively participated for the worthy […]

A visit to Beit Quran in Bahrain

An all-in-one combination of Islamic art, Quranic manuscripts and Islamic education under one roof.  As you approach it from afar, you see a mosque-like structure housed with one minaret and beautifully engraved Quranic verses bordering the outside walls. Beit Al Quran, or the House of Quran, is more than just a mosque. It is a […]

Four Places for the Best Dates in Sharqiya

Ramadan is half over – there’s no better time to change your date game a bit: try a variety of dates – white chocolate, lotus, rose, the possibilities are endless. Or give one of these beautiful boxes to your next iftar host or as Eid party favors – delicious, practical and pretty. 1. Halakom Tamr […]

Turki Al Romaih – Introducing Pop Art and Graffiti to the EP

This May, we interviewed the graffiti genius, Turki Al Romaih. Al Romaih, who was the art director at 966 Box Park and also performed live graffiti at Matha8, has recently started a new initiative called Tkween – which aims to create innovative ways of giving. Art is merged with the concept of helping others and proceeds […]

7 Mosques to Add to Your Bucket List

By Eman Bukhari Over the years, mosques have come to carry more than a spiritual value to society, with Muslims and non-Muslim looking at them in awe. They have become a reflection of society’s progress, creative energy and architectural skills, as well as historical narratives. How and why mosques were built create captivating stories that […]

Treik 2016 – An Awesome Celebration of Ramadan and Gergean

Grey Art Events is back with an awesome event planned out for Sharqiya. Scheduled for the 15th and 16th of June at the Arab Heritage Gallery, Treik will feature some of the coolest emerging artists and designers of the region. Here are a few booths we are definitely looking forward to: 1. @tkweeen Hello, awesomeness! Recently […]

Face Masks for Hydrated Skin in Ramadan

By Nora Al Eisa Drinking water regularly is the best way to avoid dehydrated skin, but as you’re fasting, opt for these hydrating face masks to keep your skin fresh and plump.

Four Tips for Grocery Shopping While Fasting

The one golden rule of grocery shopping: don’t do it while you’re hungry. However, it sometimes can’t be avoided during Ramadan when you’re fasting half the day. Here are four tips to help you grocery shop the smart way while hungry. Check this video out for some tips on how NOT to shop:

5 Tips for Healthier Skin in Ramadan

By Arwa Al Mousa This year, the holy month of Ramadan has come when summer is at its peak. So you need to pay extra attention to your skin as fasting will cause the body and skin to go through many changes. Here are some few tips for you that will help keep your skin healthy, hydrated […]

Iftar Tents in Sharqiya

The Islamic Cultural Center in Dammam is hosting iftar tents throughout Ramadan, which will regularly serve more than 5,000 people a day. It’s not just a meal though as there will also be Islamic lessons in multiple languages, teaching everything from interpreting and memorizing the Quran to all the best habits and actions that a […]

5 Places for Eid Clothes in Sharqiya

To help you start preparing for Eid, we whipped out a list of five Instagram accounts you should definitely browse through for Eid outfit inspiration. 1. Hndlcollection This is perfect if you’re all about subtlety. With soft, flowy pastels Hndl Collection has a variety of simple yet elegant designs. 2. Dantel Collection This one’s all […]

The Ultimate List of Iftar and Suhoor Deals in Sharqiya

By Arwa Al Mousa Why cook at home when you can enjoy a delicious iftar or suhoor at one of Sharqiya’s best hotels? Here’s the ultimate list of iftar and suhoor deals in Sharqiya: 1- Mövenpick Hotel Al Khobar Iftar: SR 220 (6 pm – 8 pm) Suhoor: SR 155 (11 pm – 3 am) […]

Top 5 Ramadan and Eid DIYS From Pinterest

There’s no better time to get festive and make memories with the kids than Ramadan and Eid. We’ve compiled a list of quick and pretty DIYs to decorate your home with this month. It’s never too late to celebrate. 1. This beautiful moon piñata: Source The kids will spend lots of happy hours gluing on […]

Healthy Ramadan Tips from Nia Instructor, Manal Al Dabbagh

Ramadan this year, will be right in the middle of summer. To put that in perspective, we will be fasting the longest day of the year. What we eat and drink between sunset and fajr influences our body’s ability to cope with long hours of fasting. Ramadan is also a time for celebration and family […]

Abdullah Al Hussain – Combining Art with Architecture

Where light and shadow meet art and architecture. Abdullah Al Hussain is one of Sharqiya’s most promising emerging artists. He talks about his work with passion, but what sets him apart is his obsession with precision. This is a result of his educational background; an architecture graduate of King Saud University with a Master’s in […]

Fawaz Al Jalaud – The Calligrapher

Calligraphy not as an art form, but as performance art. Fawaz Al Jalaud has been a calligrapher for as long as he can remember. Coming from a family of artists, he grew up surrounded by pens and papers with a special connection to letters. It all started with calligraphy classes in the fourth grade, almost […]

Enabling Change

The story of one group’s passion to help their community. In 2012, a group of businessmen from the Eastern Province came together to form an institution dedicated to orphans and their wellbeing. They organize exhibitions and events and support orphans by funding their education and housing and by finding them jobs. The founders of this […]

Hospitality is Their Middle Name

Learn about the Al Shiha family business to keep customers happy. Founded in 1979 by Abdulaziz Al Shiha, Hospitality Development Group (HDG) began with Al Hamra Hotel in Dammam. Through their signature commitment and attention to detail, HDG grew into one of the most prominent hospitality firms in the Kingdom, providing a wide variety of […]

Arab and Beautiful – An interview with Muneera of Arabbella

Pre-Ramadan Checklist

Ramadan is just a few days away and it’s time to get everything done and out of the way so you can dedicate every single day of the blessed month to earning good deeds. 1. Quick meals There’s nothing worse than slaving away in the kitchen while you’re fasting, especially in this heat! Aim to […]

Some of the Most Mesmerizing Pieces from Khalid Al Rawi

By: Nora Al Eisa Khalid Saleh is a travel photographer based in Sharqiya. His speciality is portraits where he captures emotions in an utterly real yet dramatic way. His photos are rich and unique, full of details and sentiments. To see more of Khalid’s beautiful work, follow him on instagram @k.s.alj

STOP, WATCH AND LOVE – Awesome Cover Song Videos in American Sign Language!

Cover songs are to music lovers what fan fiction is to bookworms. You either love it or you hate it. We stumbled across this awesome YouTube channel with cover songs videos in ASL. This is one you can only love. 1. Paradise by Coldplay 2. Here’s a fun and creative way for you to learn […]

4 Brands from Purple Expo that are Perfect for Eid and Ramadan

Purple Expo was a recent exhibition organized by Aim High at Azman Gallery. Purple Expo showcased some of Sharqiya’s most loved fashion designers – jewelry, clothes, art, you name it. If it’s pretty, you’d have found it at Purple Expo. Just in time for Ramadan and Eid, we compiled a list of 4 brands you […]

Ethics (Or Lack of It) In the Art World

By Sameera Ismail This subject, art ethics, is relevant now more than ever before, especially in Saudi society where art is growing fast. As in the Arab gulf art scene, we need to re-educate artists with lectures and workshops and take it to schools and universities, introducing it as an art law to anyone who […]

What We Thought of Dip N Dip

So Dip N Dip has become one of THE most popular places in Sharqiya and you’re likely to always find it crowded, to the point of having to wait for ages for a table. We decided to finally give it a try and summarized the experience in a single word, this is what we thought: […]

5 Things We Loved About Matha8 at PMU

1. This Tag and Hang station 2. Mouthwatering Nutella-covered mini pancakes, check @poffeez on Instagram 3. All the art! Check out @issq__ 4. This awesome manicure corner by She Nail 5. The colorful tiles!

Dining in Sharqiya – Al Yacht Restaurant

By Nahla Al Sardi and Al Zahra Al Dawood We tried out another restaurant this month, just for you! Al Yacht is a seafood restaurant in Khobar – affordable, delicious and a popular choice. Here’s a breakdown of some of our favorites: Watch the video here: Where should Destination Sharqiya head to next? Email us […]

Putting your Best Face Forward with Obagi Medispa

Treat your skin right and visit Obagi Medispa today Spring is upon us and you know what that means: spring cleaning! But, why stop with your home when you can give your skin a nice refresh as well? That’s where Obagi Medispa comes in. A fully-comprehensive spa facility that repairs, restores and revitalizes your skin. […]

Everything You Ever Need To Know About Nia – Manal Al Dabbagh

By Anaa Mansouri We get the lowdown on Nia and why you should be dancing it. When I lived in the US, I loved going to this one workout that was outside the “workout box,” called Nia. When I moved to Sharqiya, meeting a Nia instructor locally made my heart skip a beat! So, I […]

All Juiced Up

You can either eat fruits or drink them with a straw! Casa Juice Everywhere Web: casa-juice.com We love these because they’re so easy to come by. With small kiosks all over the city, Casa Juice is everyone’s first choice. From the simple freshly-squeezed juices to more exotic blends, there’s a variety of exciting options to […]