Words by Allegra Salvadori | Images are a courtesy of Noura Bouzo
For Noura Bouzo, artist, curator, and co-founder of the cultural consultancy &bouqu, Riyadh is more than a capital city — it’s a living archive of Saudi identity in motion. Through her work on projects that bridge heritage and modernity, Noura has become one of the key figures shaping the city’s evolving creative scene. “Riyadh is a living canvas of memory and reinvention,” she says. “The warmth of mudhouses, sparkling nights with endless Saudi coffee, and a buzzing creative scene — that’s Riyadh.”
A CITY ROOTED IN STORYTELLING
At the heart of Noura’s map lies Diriyah, the birthplace of Saudi Arabia and one of its most captivating destinations. With its restored mudbrick palaces and palm-lined courtyards, Diriyah is where the nation’s past and present converge. “It’s like stepping back in time,” she says, “but in the most beautiful, modern way.” The area’s charm unfolds through local restaurants, shops, and museums, from Bujairi Terrace to the striking Diriyah Art Futures, a contemporary museum overlooking endless palm groves — a place, Noura adds, “where creativity meets the soul of Saudi heritage.”
THE FLAVOUR OF SAUDI FOOD CULTURE
Riyadh’s culinary scene mirrors the cultural renaissance taking place across the Kingdom. Noura points to Riyadh Oasis: FoodSphere, a multisensory dining experience that reimagines the country’s gastronomic heritage through design. “FoodSphere is a living celebration of three pillars of Saudi food culture — dates, coffee, and honey,” she explains.
Visitors explore installations like the Date Library, Coffee Capsule, and Beehive Exhibit, each turning ingredients into immersive cultural narratives. “It’s a complete sensory storytelling experience that brings Saudi cuisine’s roots into vivid life in a design-focused setting.”
Beyond immersive spaces, she highlights restaurants that interpret tradition with contemporary flair. Takya, one of the first to redefine Saudi dining, remains a favorite: “It’s still a delicious option with amazing vibes,” she says. Others such as Maiz, Asseb, Tofareya, and Mirzam showcase the refinement of Saudi hospitality, while Tameesa and Zalata have become breakfast institutions — many now recognised by the Michelin Guide.
THE CAFE AS CULTURAL CONNECTOR
Riyadh’s café culture, she adds, captures the pulse of the city. Elixir Bunn, the Saudi roaster whose King Abdullah Street branch was designed by Azaz Architects, epitomizes that mix of craft and creativity. “The branch has won multiple international awards for its interior architecture — it’s a local coffee roaster with beautiful energy.”
The rhythm of the capital has evolved with the Riyadh Metro, a new artery linking neighborhoods through architecture and design. “Each station gives you a sense of the area before you even step out,” Noura says. She recommends taking it to KAFD (King Abdullah Financial District), where the Zaha Hadid-designed station opens onto a skyline of cafés and restaurants — from Saudi’s own Bateel Café to the international elegance of Ralph’s.
CRAFT, COMMUNITY, AND THE FEMALE HAND
When it comes to shopping, Noura gravitates toward concept boutiques that champion Saudi craftsmanship and female entrepreneurship. Her favorite, Sit Al Dar at Bujairi Terrace, is “a treasure trove of Saudi culture where a traditional Najdi women’s thoub is exhibited next to home decorative pieces.” Workshops there, including those for children, keep heritage alive through dress, storytelling, and dance.
She also celebrates Pattern Concept Store, founded by a Saudi art collector and known for spotlighting emerging designers, and Musa & Palm, a gourmet date boutique whose every box tells a story of land and lineage. “All three are founded by Saudi women who are very passionate about our culture,” she says with pride.
A CREATIVE CITY IN BLOOM
Having co-founded Saudi Design Week and Oasis Magazine, the Kingdom’s first arts and culture publication, Noura has witnessed Riyadh’s creative transformation firsthand. “There are events that aren’t mass advertised but spread by word of mouth,” she says. “They are truly the heartbeat of the creative scene.”
Through her eyes, Riyadh emerges as a city of contrasts — where mudbrick and marble, tradition and innovation, and craft and technology coexist in harmony. It is, as she puts it, a place where heritage isn’t preserved — it’s reimagined.
