There is a saying that chance can outdo even the best-laid plans. A recent visit to Dips Plus Café and Restaurant proved exactly that.
What began as an accidental discovery quickly eclipsed experiences at Michelin-starred restaurants. In historic Diriyah district, beyond the polished Bujairi Terrace and away from the casual gatherings along Al Samhaniya Street, the cafe reveals itself quietly. Tucked into a corner just under a kilometre from JAX District, it is the kind of place you’re unlikely to find unless you’re not looking for it at all. And yet, in that moment of misdirection, we stumbled upon what can only be described as one of Diriyah’s best-kept secrets.
Do not judge it by its exterior
At first glance, Dips Plus resists easy categorisation. It appears to be a cafe, but the experience extends well beyond that label. The “Made in Diriyah” phrase etched onto a wall hints at something more deliberate, more rooted. The space unfolds across two floors. Downstairs, indoor seating is spacious and quietly comfortable, offering a sense of privacy rarely found in cafes. At its centre, an outdoor courtyard, framed by soft lighting, trees, and a swing, feels closer to a private home than a commercial venue.
By chance, we met Osama bin Mohammed, one of the executives behind Dips Plus, who described the design as inspired by batn al-huwi, a traditional Najdi architectural concept. In this style, the main living space opens to the sky, overlooked by the upper floor, with arches and heritage details shaping the interior. Gravel flooring completes the effect, evoking the courtyards of old Najdi homes.
Upstairs, the atmosphere shifts. Outdoor seating opens onto views of Wadi Hanifa, a rare vantage point shared only with a handful of locations in Diriyah. In spring, the evening breeze carries a welcome softness. Come winter, fire pits warm the tables. Even in summer, the setting remains inviting, aided by Diriyah’s comparatively milder climate and discreet misting systems that make year-round outdoor dining possible.
A series of pleasant surprises
Dining always comes with expectations. At Michelin-starred restaurants or five-star hotels, those expectations are naturally high. At more modest venues, they tend to be tempered. Here, however, the experience quietly defies those assumptions.
It began with honey cake, unexpectedly refined, delivering a true depth of flavour. Then came the slice of Matilda Cake, equally assured. But it was the final pairing, the coffee of the day served alongside baklava filled with hanini, that shifted the experience into something more memorable.
Cafes often rely on external kitchens, with predictable results. But this was different. Turkish baklava reimagined with a traditional Saudi Najdi filling is not a casual menu addition. It suggests a chef with both confidence and clarity of vision, merging two culinary traditions into a single, cohesive dish.
The story behind Dips Plus
That vision belongs to Saudi chef, Salman Al-Ateeq, the driving force behind Dips Plus. With more than 35 years of experience in luxury hospitality, his presence is quietly felt rather than publicly advertised. Unlike many contemporary chefs, he maintains little to no visibility on social media or search platforms.
His background spans high-end hotels and the launch of multiple restaurant and cafe concepts across Saudi Arabia. Today, through Dips Plus, he oversees a menu that moves seamlessly between local and international dishes. The kitchen’s reach extends beyond the cafe itself, supplying food across Riyadh through delivery platforms and catering to hotel buffets throughout the city.
Dips Plus is understated in its approach, letting the experience speak for itself. Its strength lies in what it delivers quietly: a strong sense of place, a thoughtful reinterpretation of tradition, and the kind of culinary precision more often associated with far grander settings.
Dips Plus, Diriyah 13734
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@dips.plus
