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Riad: In all Saudi Arabia, historical houses are experiencing notable transformations, becoming coffees and restaurants. These spaces are now inviting members of the public to dinner in what were private residences.

The restorers spoke with the Arab news about the challenges and rewards of reusing historical houses, offering information about the growing trend in the kingdom.

Restoration of an 80 -year -old house: The Journey of Tagmera

In Madinah, several family establishments have tasks of this concept. For Saleh Shahini, Tagmera’s commercial partner, and his mother, Abeer Al-Masri, turning his historical property into a coffee was a way of preserving decades of heritage.

“The house of the Al-Maghadawi family originally built the house, with the first floor built with volcanic stone. Years later, additional floors were added using wood and clay,” Shahini explained.

One of the biggest challenges they faced was the fragility of the upper floors, which raised security connes for visitors. “We had to eliminate the two additional levels while keeping the original stone base intact. It was a delicate process, but we wanted to ensure that the space remained faithful to its origins,” he said.

Tagmera retained the intimacy of the original structure, ensuring that visitors felt connected to the houses.

“Narrow spaces and low roofs create a feeling of warmth and peace, which makes guest to establish conversations and connect with their surroundings,” he added.

Café remains a family project, with Al-Masri and its seven children actively involved in the welcome of guests and operations in operation.

The menu also reflects this family centered spirit, with fermented mass, jams and traditional ingredients, prepared using traditional homemade methods.

“Each menu is done internally, using old fermentation techniques and authentic ingredients, as well as the way we would prepare food at home,” Shahini said.

In the Al-Maghesla de Madinah district, a traditional house has reinvented himself in the legs in Sushi, a Japanese restaurant led by Leen Kurdi and his family.

“The experience of transforming the house into a restaurant was full of challenges, since we wanted to preserve the soul of the home and the integrity of the volcanic stone structure,” Kurdi said.

The restaurant is a fusion of Japanese flavors with the warmth of the traditional hospitality of Madini. The restaurant maintained the original entrance with a bell, allowing guests to feel that they were entering a private house instead of a commercial space.

“What makes our place special is that my mother greets the guests, we serve hospitality drinks of our creation, including our great grenade and matini rose cocktail, and personally we prepare the dishes with the help of our team”, Kurdi.

For Abdulrahman Al-Hejaili, owner of Kaboun, the idea of ​​a restaurant at home had been a fascination for a long time. Inspired by family conversations about restaurants with home atmospheres, Al-Hojaili sought to recreate the concept.

“We wanted to create a restaurant that felt at home, where guests could enjoy a simple and comforting meal in a warm environment,” he explained.

The transformation process required a careful planning and redesign, ensuring that the house remained cozy and intimate while adapting to the practices of a restaurant.

“One of our greatest challenges was to balance the welcoming and personal sensation of a home with the professionalism and efficiency of a restaurant,” Al-Hojaili added.

His efforts was worth it, since Kaboun has become known for his real homemade style food. “From the moment the guests arrive, they feel they are visiting the family. We serve food as well as at home, simple, fresh and without unnecessary additives or improvements,” he said.

Even classical international dishes such as pancakes, tortillas and French toasts are presented in their original homemade style, reinforcing the restaurant’s commitment to simplicity and authenticity.

Reyam Al-Ahmadi, a visitor to the Al-Hayy project in Madinah, described the feeling of entering one of these homes turned into restaurants. “Not long ago, a video went viral from someone expressing his astonishment for these transformed houses, and I can’t blame them at all! I felt the same wonder when I visited Al-Hayy.”

She describes walking through an area rich in history, where the houses have become the leg while her original character remains intact. “The doors of these places only open after a blow, as in the past. It really felt like going back in time,” Al-Ahmadi said.

An experience stood out for his home more than 90 years that had become a spa. “It is me speechless. Could the original owners have ever imagined that almost a century later, a girl came home to make her nails and have her hairstyle?”

For many, dinner in the thesis spaces is about entering a story, a legacy and a home that continues to fill with warmth and connection.