25 to try: Cheap eats in Bahrain
Hit by the downturn? Want to dine out for a dinar? Time Out hit the town to find where you can eat for under BD3 4 Comments

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East Asian
12 Honey Restaurant: This Thai staple has been steadily making a name for itself over the past few years, with great Thai fare at Bangkok prices. Slightly chaotic but run by a fantastic Thai team, everything here is good, but the fish is spectacular. The best tables are in the private rooms, which generally require a reservation. You’ll find it hard to spend BD3. (17 223 962).
13 Mamy Soup: A little front room affair with great Thai fare, Mamy Soup might be small, but what it lacks in space it makes up for in great som tam. All the regular Thai favourites are served, and people flock here for the friendly atmosphere and great service.
Off Exhibition Avenue, behind the CPR Office. (39 195 343).
14 Kowloon House Restaurant: One of the smallest restaurants on our list, but with bags of character and real home-made Cantonese and Filipino fare, expect your dish to arrive in a casserole dish and come swimming in gravy. The fried rice here is as good as it gets. The wife runs the Gudaibaya branch, the husband the branch on Exhibition Avenue.
Gudaibiya restaurant is found just off Zubara road (36 739 074), the Exhibition Avenue branch is near to Baskin-Robbins(17 295 540).
15 Aroy Dee: Another Thai favourite serving a menu similar to Mamy Soup and just a stone’s throw away, this place lacks atmosphere, but specialises in great Thai barbecue, which can be a welcome alternative to the all-pervasive mixed grill.
Off Exhibition Avenue, behind the CPR Office (39 096 320).
16 Pong’s: Another favourite in this collection of Thai cheapies is Pong’s, the Thai restaurant with the most ambience in this part of town. Fortunately, atmosphere does not come at a price, and it serves great food at rock bottom rates.
Off Exhibition Avenue, behind the CPR Office (17 530 800).
17 Lanna Thai: On Budaiya Highway, this cheapie Thai has become a favourite in this part of town. With a great selection of traditional Thai dishes and super service, this is Budaiya’s little chunk of Chiang Mai.
On the Budaiya Highway just before the Jawad Cold Store (17 593 940).
18 Flamingo: Serving great pancit, Filipinos from across town flock here for the food and iced-tea. If you are looking for live music Flamingo has karaoke on tap, making this one of the liveliest joints in the souk.
Alzainal Plaza, Manama Souk (17 224 357).
Time Out Bahrain, 25 October 2009
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Posted by: Grant Ostvig on 28 Nov ' 09 at 05:57
We visited the Charcoal Grill this past week because of your article and found it to have good food, was very quaint, and inexpensive. Their Executive Lunches from 11:00 to 3:00 are only 1.7 BD and contain a main course, salad, and rice. We will definitely try it again after we visit the other 24 restaurants on the list.
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Posted by: Gurudutt Mohite on 10 Nov ' 09 at 10:29
Amazing List !! Now I have 25 reasons to eatout without burning a hole in my pocket. Timeout Bahrain is the Best. Keep it up.
Next I would like to see a List of Best Budget Buffets in Town. -
Posted by: Joanne Lund on 09 Nov ' 09 at 05:39
Sadly, Lanna Thai is definately not a favourite any more with the residents here in Budaiya as the quality of food has gone down hill. With another thai restaurant just across the road from it and Lemon Grass in the Country Mall, both serving up delicious authentic thai food, there's no need to even consider Lanna Thai at all! I also have to applaud the fact that Lemon Grass are using eco-friendly packaging for their take-aways which is biodegradeable, so well done and we'll use you every time for our thai deliveries!
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Posted by: Barry Peters on 07 Nov ' 09 at 12:43
I've been reading your magazine since moving to the island and I must say, this was the best all-around issue I've read to date. Every article was spot-on and extremely useful.
Here's a suggestion for a future article (if you haven't already written something similar that is), how about writing an article containing a recommended itinerary (things to see, places to eat, stops for tea/coffee, etc.) which contains timeframes for visitors who will be staying for 3, 5 and 7 days? My mother will be visiting me later this month and I have to work during the day so it would be nice to give her something like this as a go-by. Have to imagine others are in the same boat as I. Thx. and keep up the great work!
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