Hidden Gem: Wathbah, a cafe for literary explorers

There’s a certain magic in time spent in the company of good books, with a perfectly brewed coffee – and nowhere is this more evident than at Wathbah.

Tucked away in Riyadh’s Al Narjis district, Wathbah is a charming café and bibliophile haven, with
timeless décor, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and an exceptional selection of coffees.

As soon as you walk in, the first thing you notice is its towering library, complete with a long ladder for those hard-to-reach top shelves. On its walls are the works of Saudi artists such as Noura Al-Muqrin and Razan Baabad, and its wooden accents and French fabric-clad chairs add a touch of elegance to the space.

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In fact, Wathbah feels like a quintessential French home, with a small garden at the entrance and the cosy, library-like atmosphere inside – not to mention its antiques, souvenirs, fireplaces, plush sofas, and wooden tables with candles, enhancing that vintage ambience.

Munira Al Tuwaim, co-owner of Wathbah, explained the choice of interiors: “We went for that classic French style, inspired by the Louis XVI era – a design that is both classic and delicate, without an excessive use of gold elements. Every piece in Wathbah is chosen with great care; there are no random choices here. We wanted to create a cosy welcoming feeling that reflects a home’s love and warmth.”

Wathbah doesn’t just house one library but two. The ground floor is a bookstore with a carefully curated collection, including tomes that are hard to come by in local markets. The second floor serves as a lending library within the café, featuring international and Arab literature, including many great classics.

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This café also has a partnership with Saudi’s Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, with the aim to merge the worlds of literature and coffee, and to promote cultural exchange within the Kingdom. Wathbah even plays host to monthly cultural events featuring specialists, writers, and
researchers.

The attention to detail in décor and book selection extends to Wathba’s drink menu. AbduIlah Al Tuwaim, the other owner of the café, explains: “We have a team of coffee experts, connoisseurs in the art of coffee tasting, to ensure we provide the finest selection possible. We constantly update our beverage offerings and libraries, to keep our clientele returning for more.”

After spending an afternoon exploring Wathbah’s bookshelves, first with a cup of its ever-popular Ice Spanish Latte and then its bestselling flat white, I understand why patrons love this place. With its top-notch (and reasonably priced) drinks and inviting library, Wathbah is a true literary escape.

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