Kuwait City is rich with hidden gems. It doesn’t have the infrastructure you’d expect compared to more popular tourist destinations in the Gulf like Dubai. But what it lacks in modernity it makes up for in artisanal coffee cafes.
Kuwait isn’t a city of ooh-aah skyscrapers that look great from a taxi or bus. The city is small and the best way to appreciate it, is on-the-ground, walking. But just in case you need it, Careem operates in Kuwait too.
Kuwait may be the fourth richest country in the world (per capita), but this is a cityscape that boldly wears the scars of war. Much like Beirut, bullet-riddled and bombed-out buildings crumble away undisturbed, and shiny-new homegrown eateries pop up and thrive within the old city’s shell.
If you appreciate graffiti, there are some fantastic artists to be discovered, so keep your eyes peeled for public art.
Go in winter. The heat in summer is dry and Saudi-like and it burns. If you really want to appreciate the cafe culture, go in a cool month when you can sit outside without melting.
Go to the Avenues. This is the only mall you need to visit in Kuwait. Period.
If you like your food concepts strange and unique, Kuwait is the spot.
Kuwait is a dry country (no alcohol) and my husband and I think they’ve done an amazing job of compensating for the lack of bars and clubs by turning cafes and restaurants into a wonderfully experiential situation for tourists and residents alike.
Go local, explore the old souk, and do taste traditional Kuwaiti cuisine at an authentic restaurant.
You won’t regret it.
