The DQ Market is back! And with it, a refreshing, relaxing way to spend a Saturday in the Diplomatic Quarter.
Community markets or bazaars are one of the things that were few in Riyadh years ago. Then the DQ Market happened in 2019. It offered a chance for small businesses to introduce their shops and products to a discerning audience. In turn, visitors enjoyed getting to know locally-produced, handmade, and home-cooked products that they have never known or tried. This year, in the times of a pandemic, DQ Market is open again offering hope that things are going back to normal.
The vibrant mix of textures, tastes, and aromas are intoxicating; there are just so many things to see and try and taste, from fresh fruits and vegetables to indoor and outdoor plants to unique accessories to delicious food and beverages! The DQ Market every Saturday reveals a more authentic side of the DQ, and of Riyadh.
The DQ Living magazine team experienced the DQ Market community last November by having a stall. It was a fun experience meeting people from all walks of life. We were able to introduce the magazine and meet regular readers. Like us, many vendors in the DQ market find the diverse audience of the market inspiring.
Here are some of the businesses we found in the DQ Market. Get to know them and visit their stalls next Saturday!
RESINART
@resinartsaa / +966552632167
12482 King Abdullah Street, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Muhammad Al-Mudaifer, owner of ResinArt, has a passion for wood and artwork. What started as a hobby has brought about a decoration business in 2017. Resin was still new to the Saudi market during that time but the flexibility and versatility of the material helped the development of unique products. Saudi artists carry out the works on the furniture and decors; casting and polishing resin with different degrees of color create one-of-a-kind masterpieces. ResinArt has joined events like the Diriyah Season. The DQ market brings them unique, discerning customers who are considered as pioneers of the DQ.
SYNERGY ART HUB
@synergy_art_hub / +966550301103
Office 421, Tower 4, Almousa Center, Olaya Main Street, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Synergy Art Hub started in 2015 as a group of five multicultural female artists. The group grew and now, over 20 artists exhibit their art locally and internationally. They launched the hub to make a creative space for art lovers and offer art and sculpture workshops. Synergy artists use various innovative medium like resin to create their masterpieces and their products are sold from SR 50 to SR 1500 exclusively at the DQ Market.
ROMA’S GARDEN
@romasgarden_ksa
Roma’s Garden is an online store specializing in terrarium glass gardens and indoor plants. It started last year and their price ranges from SR 150 to SR 800. There’s far more to these glass gardens: they’re not only beautiful but they also recreate the magical world of tropical rainforests. DQ Market customers get special discounts as Roma’s Garden offers these tiny microcosms at a more affordable SR 99 to SR 650. They consider joining the DQ Market as one of their best decisions; they love giving people information and knowledge on terrariums.
SAVOR FARMS
@savor.farms / www.savor.sa / +96656441056
Savor Farms is one of the most interesting stall in the DQ Market. A start-up high-tech indoor vertical farm producing high quality micro greens, herbs, leafy greens, and edible flowers, Savor Farms started in 2018 to cater to family and friends. After a few years, their products have reached a level of quality that meets and exceeds their customer expectations. Premium organic and non-GMO seeds are used to grow nutritious, high-quality, fresh, and flavorful produce without the use of chemicals or pesticides. Their bestselling micro greens are radish, mustard, and peas. They are happy to meet more people at the DQ Market and promote healthy lifestyles through nutritious diets.
CLEANSE & GLOW
@cleanseandglow / www.cleanseandglow.com / +966502024654
Cleanse & Glow is no longer new to the juice business but they are thriving! It is a 100% vegan juice shop and restaurant that offer cleansing programs comprised of juices alone, or with salads. The owner of Cleanse & Glow got into plant-based living 8 years ago and saw the need for it in the market. They’ve been using high quality, locally- and internationally- sourced ingredients since then for their 100% vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free products. Their green juices like Green Giant and Green Glo constantly receive rave reviews. They first joined the DQ Market in 2019 and had a wonderful experience. They are glad to meet new people and talk about health and wellness in this year’s edition of the Saturday DQ Market.
TUBA FASHION
@tubafashion / +966538609376
Tuba Fashion offers handmade products like crochet, macrame, patchwork, and amigurumi dolls that can be customized. Her accessories, keychains, and more are varied and come in different designs and sizes. It started as a hobby that grew into a business. All of the items are unique and customizable according to one’s preferences and budget.
ROOMY FARMS
@roomy.sa / +966500853773
Roomy Farms is a local Saudi farm that started with 20 chicks a year ago. Today, it is now one of the leading turkey farms in Saudi Arabia. Currently, Roomy Farms has two products: whole, fresh turkey and organic turkey eggs. Their main priority is the quality of their products with prices between SR 280 to SR 430. Their turkeys are organically-raised and do not go through freezing. Turkeys are only processed when they receive an order. They find the DQ market as a good avenue to meet a diverse audience.
YARA COOKS
@yaracooks
Yara Cooks is a home bakery by a mother and daughter tandem. They want to share their love for baking and share their take on baked goods with new flavors at affordable prices (from R 5 to SR 25!). Their Omani Halwa Saffron Cake and Kuwaiti Dribil Cake are their bestsellers. This is not their first time in joining a bazaar and they find their experience in the DQ Market really great so far.
These are just some of the stalls you’ll be seeing at the DQ Market every Saturday. And there are many more! Get some popsicles at Gourmet Pops or some floral cupcake bouquets at Larosha Cupcakes. Shrimp Moustache cooks a flavorful paella on the spot while Simply Spreads has a spread of their all natural handmade jams. Panya, the Japanese bakery, also has a shop near the stage where musicians presented by Syrup Lounge perform. Mama’s Alchemy sells vegan, sustainable, and cruelty-free skin care and bath essentials in invigorating scents like The Spa Day, Beauty and the Bean, and Let It Rain. There are also food trucks at the end of the market street.
There’s so much to discover at the DQ Market!
DQ MARKET
Roundabout 4, Amr Aldamri Street, DQ, Riyadh
9:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Every Saturdays
Register for free (for non-DQ residents):
Always check the link at @farmers.sa on Instagram.
