I was excited when I first found out Obika was opening and then even more excited when they did but for some reason I never ended up going there. I guess not many people did either since I heard they’re closing down. Too bad since it seemed like a healthy place to eat.
25 replies on “Obika closing down?”
healthy food restaurants will never do good here :/ no matter how good it is
That is sad news. I used to try to make it there at least every couple of weeks and it was always empty. Was it location or menu selection that made it close down? Pesonally, I was a fan of the food.
I agree! Their mozzarella was so nice & fresh. I think the location killed them. It was kinda hidden, and people normally like to sit & eat in places where they can kinda “people watch.” This is sad news :'(
Sad news. Healthy food choices are quite limited.
Healthy food in Kuwait? Haha, goodluck~
since when healthy food is a good business in a country like Kuwait ?!
I don’t think Obika ever intended to be healthy in any way. Buffalo milk is fattier than cow milk i think. But what they did was use fresh ingredients in all their dishes, that’s why I found it refreshing.
I thank the problem with this place was its location. It’s located in a very far away corner, away from foot traffic and popular shopping.
And I only went there once, it looked nice, but I never thought of going there again. You want to have a nice meal, see lovely people, and be a part of the hussle and bussle.
So I guess it came down to the basic RE rule of location, location, location.
The location sucks, didnt enjoy the food either. i went there once.. the food was mediocre.
Its because of bad location and the manager didn’t pay the staff for 4 works :/..bad news
The Avenues management should shut down that whole section down. Its so depressing even mice would think twice to go there.
@Realist I totally agree. Its like it doesnt belong , the outcast section of the avenues.
Their menu selection is very limited. Plus if they had offered delivery via 6alabat.com or so, it would have survived. Or simply relocate.
which area of avenues is that?
The location wouldn’t be bad if the Avenues Management kept their promise by opening phase 3 at the agreed time. In contrary, it would be very strategic and vital. Also, relocation is a very costly word especially if the restaurant is franchised.
They used to receive their freshly made Mozzarella from Italy farms on weekly basis. I think market segment of fresh food is declining.
Unfortunately 🙁
i heard that wagamama is facing similar problem due to location!
Location + their food.. I tried it once and i didn’t like it, there was nothing special
i dont think its location since the Tea Lounge “seems” to be doing well below and they have a KD6 minimum order per person
Wagamama is facing a problem due to bad management. They use use cheap ingredients, bad execution and a demotivated staff. I dont understand how such an operator destroys such a good brand !
I went to Obika a few of times and loved it, I wouldn’t really call it healthy, but it was really refreshing and different. The location definitely killed it, many people had no idea it existed. The Tea Lounge was not affected by the location because it is already known and ancient in Kuwait. Their Penne with Rosee sauce was amazing and all their fresh mozzarella items were great. Too bad it didn’t work out. I started noticing their fall when they started adding many items to the menu to cater to all tastes ruining their initial concept.
They aren’t closing down. Obika is opening another branch on the second floor of AL MAYAS (the lebanese place in sheik resort). same owner.
but that still means they’re closing down the avenues one.
Obika is shutting down because of the Avenues. When they signed the location and paid the ridiculous one-off fee they were shown the map with the stores that would be open in that area. All of them were top of the line brands that we are all familiar with. In addition, phase 3 was said to open in 2009!!! Once phase 3 opened that would be the only crossover point from phase 2 and phase 3 promising a busy attractive location. Watch the Avenues now- they will change that area that Obika is in from restaurant to shop. It wasn’t meant to be a restaurant to begin with. Blame Al Shaya, they only care about their own. Hence why all Al Shaya stores have the best locations and tons of ‘free’ ads. It’s a monopoly. Shame about Obika, food was great, service great too. A lot of work went into bringing this new concept to Kuwait.
It’s a shame indeed although i only ate there once and it was pretty good; the location though is bad. I ran into it by pure coincidence.
location location location , add to this economy of scale , the food prices were quiet high , so u might plan to go there once a month , it is not moeny that makes brands it is this endless and sleepless efforts