Category: Food & Drinks

Ok, there is no way to verify if this is 100% accurate or not but I found a newspaper ad for when KFC introduced the No1 sandwich of Mexico to Kuwait… the taco. It’s from November 1976 and the wording of the ad makes it sound like this was the first time taco was introduced to Kuwait. Random.

Yesterday I ordered some dog treats from a brand called Fido. They’re a local business in which they produce 100% natural and single ingredient treats for dogs. I found out about them from an email they sent me back in March but then forgot about them until I was going through my starred emails and found them again. So I decided to try it out since who doesn’t want healthy treats for their dogs especially when they’re priced really reasonably.

They have two lines of products, treats and food toppers. I don’t have an issue with his food but I’m always looking for healthy treats since we spoil him a lot and so don’t want him eating crap.

I ended up ordering the following:

Air Dried Chicken Feet 0.950 KD
Air Dried Sheep Chew for Dogs 1.450 KD
Air Dried Sheep Ears for Dogs 1.250 KD
Air Dried Chicken Treats 1.300 KD

The total was 4.950 plus another 1KD for delivery.

My dog loves them. I let him try the chicken feet, chicken treats and the sheep chew for now, still have to try the ears, but going by his reaction to everything so far, I don’t think he’ll have an issue with them.

The odd thing is the pricing, it’s surprisingly really good for what you get. I will definitely be ordering more once my dog gets through his current stash. If you want to check them out their website is fidodiet.com

Recently I’ve noticed a shift towards cleaner, more mindful eating, especially when it comes to high protein meals. Whether it’s people focusing on their nutrition or those on GLP-1 treatments, more people are paying attention to what they’re eating and their protein intake.

Elevation Burger picked up on this early with their “Better Living” campaign. They kicked things off at the start of the year with the Protein Bun, which contains 13g of protein and was developed in collaboration with Kuwait Flour Mills. They then followed it up with the Elevation Pro Burger, packing 60g of protein while still keeping the familiar Elevation taste.

Now they’ve added another new item to the lineup, protein bowls. The Organic Beef bowl delivers 50g of protein, while the Chicken version comes in at 60g. Both are low carb, high protein options with customizable ingredients.

Elevation Burger also added a “secret menu” item in collaboration with @thedietninja called the Ninja Bowl. The bowl delivers 62g of protein and is only available through the Elevation app and in store.

The protein line is a permanent addition to Elevation Burger’s core menu, tying back to Elevation’s focus on better ingredients, from organic beef to hormone and antibiotic free, cage free chicken.

The full Better Living lineup is available across all branches, as well as Talabat, and through the Elevation Burger app if you want to pick up or collect rewards. @elevationkw

Third Steep is a new tea house that opened this past week. And yes, tea, this isn’t just another matcha spot.

The owner of Third Steep has always been a tea lover, and even took courses and workshops to deepen her knowledge. Last year she decided to quit her job and open her own tea spot after noticing a gap in the market. While there are plenty of places for coffee and matcha, she found it difficult to find a good tea-focused spot. Since she already worked in the food and beverage field, she decided to use that experience to create her own space.

I passed by a couple of days ago and found the spot really cute. It’s small but feels trendy without looking too Pinteresty. The colors and materials are mostly earth tones, with pops of green and mustard yellow that bring the space to life and give it a bit of a twist. There are also some nice material details that help give it a unique look.

The menu has a large selection of tea drinks without feeling overwhelming. There are currently 8 artisanal teas, two cold brews, and the option to build your own latte. There’s no coffee on the menu, and just one matcha drink. I was actually surprised that cold brew tea was a thing since I was only familiar with cold brew coffee before. In addition to the drinks, there are a few cakes and sandos to choose from.

From what I tried, I really liked the Milk Oolong Cold Brew, the Egg Mayo Sando and the Olive Oil Lemon Zest cake. Next time I’d try the build my own latte option and order the Banana Choco Mousse cake since I want to try that as well.

If you’re into tea or just want to try a new spot, Third Steep is located in Ahmadi Tower in Kuwait City on Sour Street (Google Maps). There’s plenty of parking across the street, and they’re currently open from 10AM to 10PM, daily except Sundays. @third.steep

I’ve been meaning to check out Farida’s breakfast menu for a while now, and I finally got the chance to try it a few days ago. If you don’t already know it, Farida is a small Persian restaurant with a cozy, home-like feel. It’s named after the owner, Farida (@faridah88), a Kuwaiti nutritionist with a passion for cooking.

I usually sit inside when I have lunch at Farida. The interior feels like an old family home, with nostalgic diamond-shaped ceiling moldings and crochet tablecloths with grandma-style dinnerware. This time I ended up sitting outside since the weather was nice and I wanted the sunlight for my breakfast shots.

Similar to the all day menu, Farida’s breakfast menu is made up of some of her favorite things she likes to cook for her family. The food is casual and welcoming, but still manages to look beautifully put together. Farida also focuses on using locally sourced ingredients, supporting local producers whenever possible. I ended up eating a lot of good food since, besides the set menu, I also had a couple of other dishes.

My favorite items were the whipped rose butter and jam, the khameh asal (cream and honey), the Omelette Irani, which is scrambled eggs with tomato paste and turmeric, and finally the Persian Love Toast, which is similar to French toast but with a Persian twist.

Overall, it’s a really nice breakfast experience, especially if you’re looking for something a bit different. The outdoor seating is also great, with shaded tables and greenery all around, giving it a nice, tucked away feel. Farida is located in Al Khalid Complex in Salmiya, and breakfast is served daily from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM. For more photos, head over to @farida.kwt

I was at Sultan yesterday picking up a few things when I spotted different shelves that had Japanese products and a label saying “Flavors from Japan”. They mostly look like products that weren’t available in Kuwait previously.

I think they even tried to make the store background music sound like something you’d hear in a Japanese supermarket.

Other than the Pocky and Meiji products I didn’t recognize anything else, but I also wasn’t going through all the aisles looking for any of the Japanese stuff.

According to their instagram the items are available at their Salmiya, Mishref, Salwa, Adailiya and Jabriya branches.

Joe & The Juice is opening their new Hessah District location today. The branch is in the Hessah Hub area and features a large dine in space along with a drive thru. (Google Maps)

Hessah District is one of the hottest spots in Kuwait right now, and their location is right at the start of the district, making it easy to get to. I also like that this branch has a drive thru since I pass by the area after the gym, so I’ll definitely be using it to grab lunch on my way home.

This new location will also help speed up delivery to nearby neighborhoods. And if you want to pick up breakfast on your way to work, they open early at 6AM and close late at midnight.

To stay up to date on any new menu items or locations, head over to @joeandthejuicekuwait

AD Middle East recently featured République in their magazine along with some really nice photos that were taken by the photographer Ingrid Rasmussen. I posted about République when they first opened, but looking at these photos now, I don’t think mine did the space justice.

The interior was originally conceived as a pop-up by Gastronomica founder Basil Al Salem after his travels in Vietnam. The look draws from Indochine design, which flourished between the 1920s and 1945 and blended French Art Deco elegance with traditional Vietnamese details. The space was designed by the group’s in-house design team which included Abdullah Al Muzaini, Ahmad Jankieh, and Ashish Bartwal, with styling by Jade Botanics.

République at Jõn closed down for the season already so if you wanted to pass by and check it out you can’t anymore. But the restaurant has now popped up at Cocoa Room at JACC for dinner.

If you want to check out the AD Middle East article, click here.

Over Eid a very cool looking coffee shop opened up in Shaab called Studio Roast. It’s Kuwait’s first air roastery and blends coffee with a full sound experience powered by Bang & Olufsen. It’s a new project by BNK and led by two time barista champion Hamad AlMajed.

Unlike regular roasting, air roasting uses hot air to keep the beans moving while they roast, which helps bring out their natural flavors. They also use an AI system that spots and removes defects during the process, so every batch is consistent.

My favorite part though is the interior, for a number of reasons. The space has a warm vintage feel with lots of wood and period correct fabrics, and the hand drawn ceiling gives the place a really unique look. Some of the walls and surfaces are even crafted from coffee waste. It’s one of the best looking coffee shops in Kuwait if not the best.

But what really caught my attention was the sound experience by Bang & Olufsen. They have some of their most beautiful speakers scattered around, but my favorite piece was the BeoSound 9000 displayed in the back corner. It was my dream CD player growing up, and just a couple of months ago I was on eBay looking for one before convincing myself I didn’t really need it. After seeing it again in person, I need it.

Studio Roast is located in the brand new Eleven Residence apartment complex in Shaab Al Bahri (Google Maps). They’re open daily from 7AM to 11PM, and you can follow them on Instagram @studioroast.kw

Si is a new Mediterranean restaurant opening on the first day of Eid, and it’s one of those places where once you’re there you kind of forget where you are.

Chef Marco of Vigonovo is behind the concept, and if you’ve ever met him you’ll know how charismatic and hard working he is. I first met Marco back in 2016 when he opened Vigonovo as a small spot in Salmiya. He started off with very limited resources, to the point that if I remember correctly, he had brought his small 4 burner stove from home to use in the restaurant. Since then Marco has had a pretty long journey, and Si is the result of all that hard work.

The first thing that caught my attention was the location. Si is located at C Club in Al Bida’a, with its own private entrance from the side. The first thing you notice once you walk in is the beautiful sea and garden area, surrounded by tall palm trees. It’s such a fantastic spot.

The restaurant itself is divided into three main areas, each with its own look but all with the same goal of creating a bright and energetic space that makes you feel like you’re somewhere along the Mediterranean coast. The food matches the setting, with a menu built around Mediterranean classics using fresh ingredients and simple flavors that Marco is known for.

I might be a bit biased since Marco is a friend, but the space really is beautiful and the food is really good. Si is opening on the first day of Eid (so tomorrow), and as part of their soft launch they’ll start with breakfast and lunch. They’ll eventually open for dinner as well. Opening hours are 8AM to 4PM, with the last order at 4PM.

Here is the location on Google Maps. If you want to book a table, they have a booking link on their instagram @sikuwait

Phet Phet, my favorite Thai restaurant, are opening their new and much larger location tomorrow (Monday, March 16) in Al Andalus. I passed by a while ago to check the place out and I’m really excited about it.

The new space has A LOT more seating and a new color scheme (lots of pink!). I loved the interior and as a regular at their Salmiya location I’m really happy they’re opening this bigger space. The location is also easier to get to, and parking won’t be an issue since Al Andalus has plenty.

If you’ve never been to Phet Phet, I’d recommend their Pad Thai, Panang Curry, Spicy Potato Noodles and Mango Sticky Rice. Those are my favorites.

Phet Phet is located on the top floor of Al Andalus (Google Maps). During Ramadan they’ll be open from 5:30PM to 2AM. After Ramadan the hours will switch to 1PM to 11PM, and with the new location they’ll now be open 7 days a week. @phetphetkw

I’ve known Duha for a few years since we used to work together, so I know how hard she works and how much effort she’s put into this (as well as how good her food is). Faye is her new restaurant, a chef led, upscale neighborhood spot opening today in the new Hessah Mubarak District. It’s built around how Duha loves to cook, Mediterranean ingredients typically around her, elevated through European techniques.

Faye isn’t a soulless concept, it’s personal and meant to feel like a place you belong. Somewhere warm, welcoming, refined but never intimidating. I passed by yesterday to check out the space and I really do love it. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, but the indoor space is the star for me. The surreal organic ceiling flowing down towards the kitchen’s emerald green marble pass really gives the space a very unique look.

Duha also partnered with Seazen, the group behind concepts like Trapani, Okra, Masgouf and Melanzane. They’re handling the operational side of things so she can focus on the food and the brand.

Faye is soft opening tonight with a condensed menu, with the full menu launching after Eid. If you want to check it out, it’s right next door to The Neighbourhood at the entrance of Hessah Mubarak District (Google Maps). You can also check out their Instagram @faye.restaurant

A friend of mine created a really practical website that includes nearly all the Ramadan desserts available in Kuwait this year. The list was originally adapted from the 70MB PDF @vast.selecsh put together, which wouldn’t load properly on his phone. So with the help of AI, he converted the whole thing into an easy to navigate website where you can filter desserts by type, brand, and price.

To top it off, he’s also highlighting our Diwaniya’s dessert authority approved picks with a special “Saleh Approved” badge.

If you want to check it out, click here.

I’ve been publishing my annual Ramadan buffet list since 2013, which means I’ve built a pretty solid and interesting archive of pricing data over the years. Below is the list of Ramadan buffets, updated for 2026. The list divided into two parts, hotels and restaurants. If I missed a place let me know in the comments, especially really cheap/affordable buffets.

If there has been an increase or decrease in price compared to the previous year then I’ve also highlighted that.

HOTELS

Al Jahra Copthorne Hotel & Resort – Taima’a Restaurant
Buffet Price: KD9.5
Telephone: 24590000

Arabella Hotel – Icon Rooftop Lounge
Buffet Price: KD18
Telephone: 22277744

Arabella Hotel – Envy Restaurant
Buffet Price: KD16
Telephone: 22277744

Courtyard by Marriott – Atrium
Buffet Price: KD17 (+2.000)
Telephone: 22997000

Crowne Plaza – Al Ahmadi Restaurant
Buffet Price: KD17
Telephone: 1848111

Four Seasons – Jawaher Tent
Buffet Price: KD28 (+1.000)
Telephone: 22006000

Four Seasons – Li Beirut
Buffet Price: KD27 (-1.000)
Telephone: 22006000

Grand Hyatt – Miral
Buffet Price: KD22 (+2.000)
Telephone: 22007698

Grand Majestic Hotel
Buffet Price: KD7.950 (-0.050)
Telephone: 22254700

Hilton Garden Inn – The Avenues
Buffet Price: KD22 (+2.000)
Telephone: 22262000

Jumeirah Messilah Beach – Majliss Tent
Buffet Price: KD28 (+4.000)
Telephone: 22269600

JW Marriott – Terrace Grill
Buffet Price: KD27
Telephone: 22063636

Kuwait Continental Hotel
Buffet Price: KD9.5 (+1.550)
Telephone: 22527300

Marina Hotel
Buffet Price: KD20 (+3.000)
Telephone: 22230030

Millennium Hotel – Lamar International Restaurant
Buffet Price: KD15
Telephone: 22050505

Montrose – Free Zone – Bays Restaurant
Buffet Price: KD14 (-1.000)
Telephone: 22055700

Movenpick – Al Bida’a – Breeze Restaurant
Buffet Price: KD18 (+3.000)
Telephone: 22253100

Park Inn by Radisson
Buffet Price: KD18
Telephone: 22068540

Radisson Blu – Al Bustan Restaurant
Buffet Price: KD19.5 (+1.000)
Telephone: 25673000

Safir Hotel – Fintas
Buffet Price: KD16 (+4.100)
Telephone: 25455555

St Regis – Diamond Ballroom Tent
Buffet Price: KD30
Telephone: 22422055

Symphony Style Hotel
Buffet Price: KD15 (+1.000)
Telephone: 25770000

SVN
Buffet Price: KD19
Telephone: 1876777

The Regency Kuwait – Silk Road Restaurant
Buffet Price: KD24
Telephone: 25766666

Waldorf Astoria – Oxio
Buffet Price: KD29 (+1.000)
Telephone: 24774414

RESTAURANTS

Almayass
Buffet Price: KD12 (+0.500)
Telephone: 25761001

Assaha Lebanese Restaurant
Buffet Price: KD14 (+1.250)
Telephone: 22533377

Babel
Set Menu Price: KD14.950
Telephone: 22081111

Dar Hamad
Buffet Price: KD16
Telephone: 22275555

IKEA
Set Menu Price: KD2.95
Telephone: 1840408

Jihan Khanah
Buffet Price: KD10
Telephone: 1819991

Kuwait Towers
Buffet Price: KD13
Telephone: 24965500

Leila Min Lebnen
Set Menu Price: KD12 (-3.000)
Telephone: 22996414

Mughal Mahal – Hawally
Buffet Price: KD6.45 (-1.000)
Telephone: 22626782

Naranj
Buffet Price: KD12
Telephone: 22268666

Paul
Set Menu Price: KD12.5
Telephone: 22208204

Saraya Palace
Buffet Price: KD8
Telephone: 25712998

Vapiano
Set Menu Price: KD7.950
Telephone: 22597171

Villa Fayrouz
Buffet Price: KD12
Telephone: 22650052

Don’t forget to get your loved one a Shani today. shaniday.com