Category: Information

The whole block in Salmiya behind Al Salam Mall is currently in the process of being demolished. The block contains 5 really old buildings that haven’t been maintained in decades, but also contains really old Kuwaiti houses in the back. Google Maps

Back in 2012 I took photos of those Kuwaiti houses since they had put up a fence around them because I assumed they were going to demolish them back then. Then they never got demolished so I figured the white fence was there to help preserve them. Well they’ve now been demolished.

You can check out all the photos below or view them directly on Flickr. (Hover over the image below, album is embedded)

I actually posted about the 5 buildings a few years ago since I had found old photos from like the 70s that showed the buildings in them and they weren’t in that great condition back then either. You can check out that post here.

If you were at the chalet this past weekend, or if you were in the city looking out the window a few hours ago, you might have noticed a plane flying near the shore with an advertising banner behind it. Turns out it’s a new service being offered by Kuwait Skydive. I got in touch with them and managed to get all the details.

They have two different aerial advertising options:

Aerial Banners: This is when the plane tows your logo, campaign, or a picture along the coast, from Khairan to Kuwait Towers.

Aerial Messages: This is similar to what you’ve seen in movies and TV shows where the plane tows a message that are up to 30 characters long. (I think people are going to use this the most)

The minimum flight time they offer is 1 hour and the maximum is 4 hours. They fly around 150-300m above sea level and have three flight time slots:

7AM to 10AM
11AM to 2PM
3PM to 6PM

The plane flies from Al-Kout Mall to Kuwait Towers, and on weekends they also fly in Bnaider, Julai’a and Khairan.

They offer various pricing options based on flight duration and banner size. To give you a general idea, flight prices start at KD 750 for one hour, while the cost of manufacturing the banner starts at KD 400.

If you’re interested or want to find out more you can reach out to Nathalie on 60657462 or Ibraheem on 66118822. They don’t have an Instagram account yet since they’ve just soft launched but you could also reach out to them on @kuwaitskydive

A short while ago, Alshaya revealed the hoarding for the first Primark store opening in the Middle East. The store will be located at The Avenues, where Debenhams used to be, and is expected to open on October 23. This will be followed by three stores in Dubai in 2026, opening at Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and City Centre Mirdif.

The next big reveal should be Ulta Beauty, which is expected to open before the end of the year in place of Dean & Deluca, also at The Avenues.

Recently, I decided I needed a better way to organize my CDs. I have around 300 packed away in boxes, making it virtually impossible to listen to them. While a lot of this music is available digitally, I still have a huge collection that isn’t available online. Initially, I started looking on eBay for CD cases, but then decided to look locally first. Since, the only music shop I know of that’s still open is ROMCO, I decided to head there.

I’ve posted about ROMCO before. They used to have a shop in Hawally, but it closed years ago, with all remaining cassettes and CDs moved to a small room within their offices, located in the same building but at the back. They carry a few English tapes, but most of their collection is Arabic. The last time I posted about them they used to sell the tapes for 1.5KD but now they sell for 2KD for some reason.

Up until a few years ago there were a couple of more cassette shops open in Kuwait but they also closed suddenly and I think this is the last one left standing. And if you’re curious, yes I managed to find a CD case for my CDs. They had two SKB CD-400 ATA Carrying Cases left which I guess DJ’s used to use since each can hold up to 120 CDs. They don’t have anymore of those cases left, but they do have some CD stands and wallets still available.

The employee there told me they’re open from 9AM to 4PM, so if you want to pass by and check out their tapes, they’re located across the street from Alandalus Complex in Hawally. You can also find them on Google Maps.

If you know of any other music shop still open, let me know.

Both Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways just launched new summer routes, so I put together a list of all the new spots, their launch dates, and the cheapest ticket prices I could find. Check them out below:

Kuwait Airways

Alexandria
Flights from July 1 starting at KD 122

Antalya
Flights from June 2 starting at KD 135

Bodrum
Flights from June 2 starting at KD 152

Luxor
Flights from July 2 starting at KD 86

Malaga
Flights from June 5 starting at KD 197

Salalah
Flights from June 2 starting at KD 83

Sarajevo
Flights from June 5 starting at KD 130

Sharm El Sheikh
Flights from June 4 starting at KD 120

Trabzon
Flights from June 1 starting at KD 188

Vienna Flights
Flights from June 1 starting at KD 216

Jazeera Airways

Budapest
Flights from June 5 starting at KD 119

Hurghada
Flights from June 28 starting at KD 106

Krakow
Flights from June 6 starting at KD 141

Prague
Flights from June 5 starting at KD 140

Rize
Flights already started, starting at KD 000*

Sarajevo
Flights already started, starting at KD 90

Sochi
Flights from June 4 starting at KD 101

Yerevan
Flights from June 1 starting at KD 92

*Couldn’t find the destination on their website even though the press release says they’ve already started flying there.

I’ve posted about re:food before, but in case you missed it, re:food is a local humanitarian non-profit initiative. Their goal is simple, salvage excess and near-expiry food from the local food and beverage industry, then redistribute it for free to people in need around Kuwait. Usually, these food items would either be classified as waste and head straight to the garbage or sold cheaply in secondary markets.

If you’re a fan of Pret, you probably know that in the UK, any unsold food is always donated. In Kuwait, it’s the same, which is why Pret partnered with re:food when they launched. Every day, any unsold food is donated to them. According to Pret’s press release, since launching in October 2022, they’ve donated nearly 110,000 food items to re:food, who then distribute them to the families registered with them.

And that’s just Pret’s donations. If more restaurants did the same, think of how much more food could go to people who need it. It really is a win-win.

If you want to find out more about re:food, you can head to their Instagram account @refoodkw or visit their website refoodkuwait.org

A couple of weeks ago the Ministry of Interior announced that expats are now able to get a physical driving license printed for a KD 10 fee. A lot of people were asking what the process was, and thanks to the Reddit user InsecureInflux, there are now instructions. Here are the steps he took to get his physical driving license:

• Go to your respective Muroor.
• Visit the typing section and request a physical license.
• Provide your civil ID and license; they’ll type out a form for you (fee: KD 1).
• Take the form to one of the counters inside; they’ll give you a paper with your license details.
• Take both papers to the stamping officer; pay KD 10 for the stamp.
• Obtain the manager’s signature on the stamped papers.
• Submit the signed papers at one of the counters.
• Wait approximately 10–15 minutes to receive your printed license.

Cantina, one of my favorite Italian restaurants, is launching a pizza pop-up this weekend. It’s a spin-off of their Pizza Mondays and takes place in a beautiful hidden garden in the Design District in Shuwaikh.

A couple of days ago, I was invited to try some of the new pizzas during @chefbasmah’s friends and family night. The pop-up has eleven pizzas, up from the usual four at Cantina. I tried the fungi and the salami, and while the fungi was great, the salami (which also had mustard seeds) is now my favorite pizza in Kuwait. I also ordered the Margherita, which I always get at Cantina. Basmah’s pizzas are very crispy with no flop. She describes the style as “crispy Neapolitan,” and in true Cantina fashion, she’s using only the highest quality ingredients.

My favorite part of the pop-up though is the location. It’s tucked away in a secret garden area of the Design District, the same spot in Shuwaikh that houses Ovo, Cure and the Contemporary Art Platform. The garden has its own side entrance from the main road, a narrow corridor that leads you into a semi indoor and outdoor space that feels like a greenhouse. It’s temperature controlled, so even if the weather is warm, you won’t feel it inside.

The setup is super casual. You walk in, pick the pizzas you want and grab a seat at one of the two large communal tables. The menu is up on a board and it’s strictly pizza and soft drinks, nothing else. Also, no reservations needed, just show up.

The pizzas are small in size, so I’d recommend two per person, which is great because there are a lot of interesting flavors on the menu you’ll want to try anyway.

The Pizza Pop-up is happening only on weekends starting with this upcoming one. It’s open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6PM to 10PM, and will go on every weekend until it gets too hot. You can spot the entry corridor to the pop-up from the main road, it’s to the right of Cure, and you should see a “Pizza” neon sign hanging above. @cantina_kw.

Expo 2025 officially opened yesterday in Osaka, Japan under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” The event will focus on innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration, featuring pavilions from countries and organizations from around the world.

The Kuwait Pavilion is one of the most anticipated ones, designed by the architectural firm LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture). The structure is envisioned as a “Visionary Lighthouse,” symbolizing Kuwait’s embrace of Arab culture, arts, and social initiatives.

Kuwaiti chef Khaled AlBaker (@chefkb) is currently in Japan as the head chef for the Kuwait Pavilion, and he just sent me some photos he took. Khaled helped set up the menu for the pavilion’s restaurant, Sidra, which features classic Kuwaiti dishes like machboos and mourabian among other things. The restaurant is open to all visitors who want to try Kuwaiti food. According to him, getting everything ready wasn’t easy since most of the chefs there aren’t trained in Arabic cuisine, and sourcing the right ingredients was a challenge. But in the end, they managed to make it work.

The Kuwait Pavilion has four exhibition rooms that take you on a multi-sensory journey through Kuwait’s past, present, and future. The experience ends with a massive dome projection that’s supposedly pretty epic. Expo 2025 runs until October 13, so if you’re in Japan over the next six months, you can pass by and check it out.

For more details on the Kuwait Pavilion, you can head over to their Instagram @kuwait_expo2025

Service Hero recently revealed the results of its 2024 Customer Satisfaction Index, and the top brands in Kuwait have been named (based entirely on you).

If you’re not familiar with Service Hero, it’s the region’s only consumer-powered index, measuring how happy people are with the service they receive across different industries. It’s been running in Kuwait since 2010 and follows strict international research standards, so the results are credible and transparent.

Over 28,000 assessments were collected from customers across Kuwait, rating brands in categories like satisfaction, complaint resolution, loyalty, and more. This isn’t a popularity contest, it’s a data-driven reflection of how brands are actually performing. Here are the winners:

Entertainment: Vox Cinema
Islamic Banks: Boubyan Bank
Retail Banks: National Bank of Kuwait
New Car Sales: Toyota
Car Service: Chevrolet
Private Hospitals: Royal Hayat Hospital
Delivery Apps: Jahez
Restaurants: Mais Alghanim
Fast Food: Pick Yo!
Clothes: Centrepoint
Electronics: X-Cite
Health Clubs: Oxygen Health Club
Home Furniture: Home Centre
ISPs: Zain
Mobile Operators: Zain
Cafes: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Airlines: Qatar Airways
Supermarkets: City Hypermarket

I don’t think there is anything on the list above that felt out of place, it’s not like Aramex won best delivery courier or anything controversial like that. Link

Yesterday, the Ministry of Interior deployed new mobile speed cameras across Kuwait. These battery-powered cameras will pop up in various locations and are really easy to miss!

I’ve come across similar cameras in Saudi on my road trips, and because they’re painted the same color as sand, they’re easy to miss until the very last minute. Also, depending on the road, it’s sometimes hard to tell if the camera is pointed at your lane or the opposite one.

These new cameras are being introduced ahead of the new traffic laws, which go into effect on April 22. The new laws include increased speeding fines, ranging from KD70 to KD150.

The Palestine Film Festival 2025 opens tomorrow (Sunday, April 6) as part of the “All Eyes on Palestine” visual event happening in Kuwait this week which also includes the “Gaza Habibti” photo project.

“Gaza Habibti” brings together the work of 25 photographers from Gaza, capturing moments of hope and everyday life in a place still fighting for freedom and dignity. Their photos will be part of exhibitions taking place around the world, with all proceeds going to support photographers in Gaza. This event is taking place at @capkuwait and opens April 6 and will be on view until April 12.

The Palestine Film Festival Kuwait on the other hand is a volunteer-run, non-profit initiative that celebrates Palestinian life, art, and culture. The festival features a curated lineup of films, from documentaries to shorts, all highlighting the resilience and spirit of the Palestinian people. This year the films will be showing at CAP Theater and AUK.

There is also a poetry night taking place on Thursday.

All events are free and no registration is required for any of them.

Follow @palestinefilmfest_kuwait and @capkuwait for more details.

Yesterday I got a phone call asking if I’d like a sneak peek at Wingstop. Obviously, I said yes. So I headed there earlier today and gathered as much info as I could about the opening. Here’s everything you need to know.

Opening Date
Wingstop Kuwait will be opening on the first day of Eid.

Locations
They’re launching two locations at the same time, the main flagship store in Bida’a and a second store on Salmiya’s Baghdad Street, across from Dodo and LaBaguette.

Opening Hours
During Eid they will be opening from 11AM to 1AM. Both locations.

Menu
Because they’re expecting a large crowd, the launch menu will be streamlined for efficiency. During this initial phase, they’ll offer Classic Wings, Boneless Wings, and Tender, but items like the Chicken Burger and Milkshakes won’t be available yet.

Flavors
All 10 Wingstop flavors will be available at launch.

Prices
The menu prices are currently being finalized but I should have them by tomorrow. Once I get them I’ll update this section to include them so check back again.

Update: Here are the prices:

Wings 6 pieces – 2.450KD
Boneless Wings 6 pieces – 2.450KD
Tenders 3 pieces – 2.450KD
Regular Fries – 1.100KD
Large Fries – 1.500KD
Loaded Buffalo Ranch Fries – 1.900KD
Loaded Voodoo Fries – 1.900KD
Loaded Cheese Fries – 1.800KD
Soda – 1.000KD

Seating
Both the Bida’a and Salmiya locations will have indoor seating. I didn’t get to see the Salmiya location but the Bida’a one is fairly large with plenty of seating spread out over two floors.

Pictures of the food will probably start popping up online tomorrow since they’re soft launching for family and friends over the next few days.

If there is any info you want to know which I didn’t include, let me know in the comments. For more photos, head over to my instagram.

Their official Instagram account is @wingstopkuwait if you want to follow them.

I visited Nasco a few months ago while looking for the local USM dealer because I needed a console for my living room TV. USM is a modular furniture brand you’d probably recognize if you saw it since it’s fairly popular and has a unique look. When I visited back in October, they had unofficially opened their new location, but since then, they finally held their official inauguration.

The new Nasco showroom has a sleek, premium aesthetic with high ceilings and diverse spaces. The building interestingly was originally a glass factory before being repurposed into a multi-brand showroom, designed by Flaviano Capriotti Architetti. The Nasco building also houses Gourmet Grocers, which I previously posted about. Gourmet Grocers is a high-end boutique offering a curated selection of premium gourmet products to quality-focused customers.

My favorite part of the building though is the area they call The Pavilion. It’s a bright inner courtyard infused with greenery that creates a seamless connection between architecture and nature.

Inside, the showroom is divided into two main areas, the Poliform showroom and the Nasco Interiors showroom. The Poliform showroom features the brand’s latest collections, from sleek kitchen units to sophisticated wardrobe systems, while the Nasco Interiors showroom offers a curated selection of luxury brands, including: SieMatic, Meridiani, Bellavista Collection, USM, de Le Cuona, Oluce, along with a wide array of textiles and fabrics.

The showroom is more than just a display—it’s an inspiration hub, demonstrating how these elements come together to create stylish, cohesive interiors for a range of tastes.

For context, Nasco Group has been around for over 30 years, operating in Kuwait and the UAE. They’re well-known for exclusively distributing premium lifestyle products across home interiors, gourmet foods, and even brands like Nestlé Nespresso.

The new Nasco building is located in Shuwaikh, on the same street as Ananas and Al Tilal Complex (Google Maps). They’re open Saturday to Wednesday from 9AM to 7PM and on Thursday from 9AM to 5PM. For more information, head to @nasco.group, @nascointeriors, and @gourmetgrocers.

The Expat City Ranking for 2024 by InterNations is out and Kuwait is back to being the least friendly for expats. According to InterNations, Kuwait has constantly placed in the bottom 10 since the list started all the way back in 2014:

As in 2023, Kuwait ranks last (53rd out of 53 countries) in the Ease of Settling In Index. In fact, it has consistently placed in the bottom 10 since the first year of the survey in 2014.

Only about a quarter of expats in Kuwait (26%) feel welcome there (vs. 63% globally). Rather, around half don’t feel at home in the country (49% vs. 23% globally) and say it’s difficult to get used to the local culture (47% vs. 21% globally). Expats rank Kuwait dead last when it comes to Local Friendliness (53rd), and less than a quarter (22%) are happy with their social life there (vs. 52% globally).

And although 57% of respondents in Kuwait say they’ve already been there for five years or more (vs. 48% globally), the majority (53%) is still only friends with fellow expats (vs. 37% globally). This is possibly because making local friends is difficult: over three in five expats (61%) agree, 20 percentage points more than the global average of 41%.

Costa Rica on the other hand was ranked the friendliest place for expats in 2024. For the full list and more details, click here.