Coffee shops in Madinah (also known as Medina) are at the very heart of the city’s social scene. They’re open late into the night (often 24/7), are buzzing with atmosphere and serve an array of cakes, cookies and desserts, often with a twist of Saudi flavour. Many of the best cafes in Medina are clustered around the Haram and there are more near Quba Mosque and the Islamic University of Madinah.
Saudi coffee (qahwa) is ever-popular, with the light, aromatic drink available everywhere from hotel lobby cafés to hip coffee shops, traditionally served with some dates on the side. But if you really want to order like a local, the trendiest coffee right now is a Spanish latte. This ultra-sweet coffee, made with espresso, milk and condensed milk, is wildly popular across Saudi and especially in Medina, where almost every coffee shop has its own spin on the drink.
So whether you’re looking for a fun place to socialise, a delectable dessert, or just a jolt of caffeine to get you through the day, these are some of the best places for coffee in Madinah.
1. Namq Cafe
This fun, Saudi coffee-and-dessert chain has a stylish Medina branch in the Sultana Gardens Mall near the Islamic University of Medina. Cozy, inviting and open 24 hours a day, Namq is the perfect place to pop in for a specialty drink and something sweet. There’s everything on the menu from classic Saudi coffee to flat whites as well as more adventurous creations such as the Passion Fruit Cortado. Grab a flaky croissant – flat, chocolate, butter or cheese and mint – if you’re feeling peckish, or order a slab of cake instead. Keep an eye on their website for special deals, such as the coffee of the day with Namq cake for just SAR 25.
2. Kiffa Coffee Shop and Roastery
With its cool, turquoise interiors and grab-and-go vibes, Kiffa is a favourite for those who want to pick up a strong, rich coffee on the way to or from the Al Masjid an Nabawi – it’s very close to Gate 333. This coffee shop and roastery does a great Spanish latte, as well as cold brews and affogatos.
Want to try something different? Ask staff about the coffee of the day, as their drip coffee is made using various specialty beans. Bags of coffee beans are also available to purchase and take away, making a great souvenir or gift for coffee-loving friends back home. Kiffa’s desserts are unmissable and most come with a uniquely Saudi spin – order Chocolate or Pecan Haboob, Lavender Cheesecake or Umm Ali French Toast for flavours you won’t forget in a hurry.
3. Row Café
One of Row’s branches is located very close to Kiffa (and of course Al Masjid an Nabawi too) and is one of Medina’s sleekest, most sophisticated coffee shops. Decked out in natural, leathery tones and filled with lush plants, it’s as famous for its Ajwa cookies as its coffee. These crumbly biscuits are made with date paste and black seeds and if one’s not enough, you can grab a box of five to share with friends.
Meanwhile anyone craving a more savoury snack can go for one of the light sandwiches instead – turkey, halloumi or tuna are all on offer. Row’s other Medina branch is just five minutes’ drive from Masjid Quba. It’s called Row Farm and is set outdoors on a sprawling, lamplit terrace surrounded by palm trees. It’s a perfect setting in which to order one of Row’s refreshing iced drinks – roselle iced tea or an iced Spanish matcha perhaps – on a hot Medina day.
4. Raslania
Raslania is a must-visit in Medina, especially if you want to pick up a souvenir with your drink. The café sells branded plastic versions of the traditional Saudi dallah (coffee pot) along with glass coffee cups, which come in an extremely packable presentation box. The coffee and snacks here are great too – Raslania’s menu includes a lot of Saudi flavours, so you can try a kleja latte, a Saudi coconut latte or the café’s signature drink, the Raslania latte infused with cardamom and other spices. Feeling traditional? Order the Saudi coffee along with dates to snack on – Ajwa, Medjool and Sujai varieties are all on the menu. The coffee shop is open 24/7, and has lovely outdoor seating.
5. Coffematics
This easy-going coffee shop chain has branches near the Islamic University of Medina and the Masjid Quba. Coffematics staff are known for being warm and chatty, so you can always expect a friendly atmosphere, whichever cafe you visit. Grab one of the comfy chairs and take your time reading, catching up with friends or of course, enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee. The menu spans everything from Turkish coffee to ice drips, cortados, mochas and matchas, and there’s an array of brownies, cookies and cakes to choose from too.
6. 8Oz Coffee
8Oz Coffee is one of the city’s busiest chains. Several large, industrial-style cafes decorated with beautiful indoor trees are open across Medina, as well as a number of drive-thru spots – check 8Oz’s Insta account for a full list of locations. Come for the coffee (the pistachio latte is bliss in a glass) and stay for the desserts – honey cake, saffron milk cake, chocolate babka or waffle sticks should hit the spot. No need to wait in line for ages here as 8Oz has a system where you order on arrival, then collect your drinks and snacks when your buzzer sounds.
7. Soul Specialty Coffee
Set right outside King Fahad Central Park, Soul Specialty Coffee is a gorgeous, light-filled cafe, ideal for sitting in and soaking up the vibes, or grabbing a takeaway before a stroll around the park. They serve everything from traditional Saudi coffee to V60s (hot or cold) and of course, Spanish lattes. The dessert menu is also something to be reckoned with, especially as all the sweet treats are so beautifully presented. Standout options include the Thyme Chocolate Doughnut and the Pomegranate Cheesecake.
