Where to eat Bahraini food: 11 top places

We’re spoilt for choice with places to eat in Bahrain, with everything from brilliant fine dining restaurants to super modern cafés.

That can make it tricky, however, to know where to eat Bahraini food.

Whether you want to sample an authentic Bahraini breakfast (it’s a heavy duty feast) or try a contemporary take on traditional Bahraini cuisine, there will be a restaurant for you.

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If you haven’t already tried Bahraini food, what are you waiting for?

From the ultimate in comfort food, machboos, to the sweetest halwa, blending saffron, nuts and honey, it’s food that is both delicately spiced and full of character.

Plus, with the new Time Out Market Bahrain open in the city (yes, Bahraini food is served too!), you have the option to dig into traditional dishes in a cool vibey space.

Try it, love it, and go back for more.

Where to eat Bahraini food in 2024:

Al Ameer Restaurant

where to eat bahraini food in bahrain — Credit: Instagram @alameer_bh

If you’re looking for a quiet place to enjoy a traditional Bahraini breakfast head to Al Ameer. Wash down your meal with a cup of tea or coffee, and be pleasantly surprised by how cheap everything is.

Daily 7am-11pm. Jid Al Haj Highway, Jannusan (1740 0117).

Chai Cafe

Chai cafe’s menu is filled with traditional Bahraini food and is the perfectly place to stop off for a quick breakfast. Make sure you try out the freshly baked bread, you won’t regret it.

Daily 8am-11pm. Ramli Mall, Daih. (1756 4858).

Darseen Cafe

Get a double dose of culture at Darseen Cafe, which is located at the Bahrain National Museum and overlooks the National Theatre of Bahrain. With classic and inventive dishes alike, be sure to try the cheese and hummus kibben and save room for the fluffy saffron cake.

Sun-Sat 8am-8pm; Tuesdays closed. Bahrain National Museum, Manama. @dareseencafebh. (7733 6600).

Emmawash Traditional Restaurant

Quite possibly the restaurant with the strangest name in Bahrain, as well as where to eat Bahraini food when you want a great value meal.

Two friends opened up Emmawash Traditional Restaurant in 2012 after realising there was a gap in the market for cheap traditional food. 12 years’ later and there are four branches. The name comes from the famous amwash or emmawash dish which is rice with dried shrimp and green mung beans. Kids will love this restaurant as anyone is free to write or draw all over the walls – all part of bringing everyone into the culture.

Multiple locations, hours vary. emmawash.com (1730 9030).

Freej Bin Al Rashdan

The traditional interior of Freej Bin Al Rashdan is bright and colourful, but you won’t want to spend much time inside when the seats on the terrace offer incredible sea views. The dishes on the menu are great for sharing, and you’ll love the khubz and machboos, drizzled with saffron-fragranced rose water, served here.

Daily, 7am-11pm. Road 2403, Muharraq (6635 5288).

Fusions by Tala

Chef Tala Bashmi’s food is a revelation, celebrated in awards worldwide for its modern reinventions of Bahraini classics. That food envy will be well and truly piqued as you see plates come out of the kitchen, so make things easy for yourself and opt for the eight-course tasting menu, an excellent introduction to the finest Bahraini food.

Licensed. The Gulf Hotel, Adliyah @fusionsbytala (1774 6427).

Haji Gahwa

There’s no place more authentic than this hole in the wall inside Manama Souq, where there’s no reservations, no menu, and you’ll be surrounded by locals. Be warned – this spot can get very busy and you might struggle to get a seat. That just proves that this is one of the best spots for true Bahraini food.

Daily, 5.30am-9pm. Manama Souq (1721 0647).

Naseef

When it comes to traditional Bahraini food, Naseef is an easy choice for fabulous portions and variety, authentic Bahraini flavors, and don’t even get us started on the ambience (especially at the Bab Al Bahrain branch).

This restaurant represents the old Bahrain in a modern fashion, both in interiors and food presentation. Go for the Bahraini breakfast for 2-3 persons which includes balaleet (we all love this), nikhee, falafel, foul, eggs and tomatoes, seasoned potatoes, Mahyawa bread and Bahraini bread – an absolute Bahraini food feast. Of course, you best wash it all down with a good ol’ pot of karak.

There are two other branches located in Seef Mall and Saada Muharaq.

Open daily 8am-10pm. Souq Bab Al Bahrain. @naseefrestaurant (1720 8888).

Tabreez Restaurant

Fish is understandably a vital part of a traditional Bahraini diet, and there’s no better place for a huge range of fresh seafood than Tabreez Restaurant. Choose one of the machboos dishes and you won’t be disappointed.

Sat-Thu 11am-11.30 Fri 12.30pm-11.30pm. Adhari Avenue, South Sehla (1740 6206).

Time Out Market Bahrain

That’s right, the wait is finally over. Time Out Market Bahrain is open in the city and serving up fabulous cuisines from around the world. But you’re here for Bahraini food, aren’t you? So, make your way to the Market in the vibrant Seef District and head straight for Chef Roaya Saleh’s Villa Mamas counter.

You’ll get a taste of Bahrain food (plus other Khaleeji dishes) made using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Open daily 10am-midnight. Hotels at City Centre Bahrain, Seef District. timeoutmarket.com

Villa Mamas

Roaya Saleh set up Villa Mamas in the hopes of promoting Bahraini food across the globe. It uses local, seasonal ingredients to ensure everything is perfect, and has expanded to both Abu Dhabi and London.

Daily, 8am-11.30pm. Road 3374, Saar villamamas.com (1730 5031).