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 Comments

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Indian/Pakistani

19 Maseelee: Our favourite restaurant in the Manama souk, located in a tiny side alley on the corner of the Gulf Pearl Hotel, this little Indian joint servers tandoori and grill with some of the best ramali rotis outside of India. An utter bargain, brilliant service, totally unique. Manama, the road down the side of the Gulf Pearl Hotel (17 210 647).

20 Charcoal Grill: A popular Indian tandoori restaurant with some Chinese and Western fare (fish and chips come in at BD2.7), the branches in both Manama and Umm Al Hassam offer the choice of eating in or take away. Their fish tikka is a bargain at BD2.9, while they do a mean lassi.
Next to Bab Al Bahrain in Manama but also in Umm Al Hassam (17 223 531).

21 Central Cafe: A favourite among the Indian community in Bahrain, this popular Manama eatery serves vegetarian Indian food in the heart of the souk. You can fill up here for a few hundred fils, if you can get a table, that is.
Near the Sacred Heart Church and the Last Chance Supermarket (17 263 271).

22 Al Osra: Reputedly the best tandoori joint on the island, Al Osra’s speciality is chicken tandoori, which it sells by the shed load. A great choice if you’re in the souk and feeling peckish.
In the heart of Manama, behind Bahrain World Trade Centre (17 240 098).

23 Sangeetha: Despite fierce competition from the bottleneck of vegetarian Indian restaurants that surround it, Sangeetha is best known for its thalis and has a great selection of homemade Indian sweets. Order the vegetarian tandoori with a honey jangri for dessert and still come out with change from BD3.
On Zabara Avenue, near the Awal Cinema(17 272 768).

24 Taka Tak: One of the largest budget Indian restaurants in Bahrain, people flock here for the daily buffet, which is a bargain at BD2.9 (children BD1.9). If you order a la carte, nothing on the menu is over BD2.5 (salt and pepper prawns), making feasting out here a budget affair.
On Zabara Avenue, near the Awal Cinema (17 254 848).

25 Tabakh: A Pakistani institution that attracts a clientele far beyond the local Pakistani community, Tabakh has gained a firm following among expats and locals alike. With a range of vegetarian options and great seafood, those with a sense of adventure will want to order the brain masala, which is apparently, er, good for the brain (yours, that is, not the one you’re eating).
On Zabara Avenue, near the Awal Cinema(17 276 386).

Found that we have forgotten a favourite? Email your suggestions to food@timeoutbahrain.com and we’ll add it to the list on www.timeoutbahrain.com

By Time Out Bahrain staff
Time Out Bahrain, 25 October 2009
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.

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!

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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