A visit to Makan Zaman Cafe in Jeddah is like taking a trip down memory lane. Located in the city’s Al-Nahda district, the local meeting place (zaman colloquially meaning “a long time ago”) has a truly Middle Eastern vibe. Cafe decorations include string lights with crochets of tarboosh and mini tablas, placemats containing posters of 1960s Egyptian movies, and manikins dressed in full Saudi attire. Vintage items such as an old sewing machine, a typewriter, box television, dial telephone and record player are also scattered around the restaurant. The staff are polite and welcoming, and the cafe serves Middle Eastern and popular international dishes. And after a meal, diners can enjoy playing a game of carrom.