With an abundance of international-themed restaurants serving up everything from Italian to Iranian to Mexican all on the same menu, Manama, the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain, is rich in places to dine out. From smoking a shisha overlooking the city to tucking into a spicy chicken cashew curry, guests can discover something new everywhere. There’s so many to choose from, we have picked ten of the best
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Masso
Bar, Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, European, $$$
Located inside The Palace Boutique Hotel, Masso restaurant serves up healthy, organic, European cuisine. A fine dining restaurant influenced by the laid-back southern European way of life, the menu comprises a series of sharing plates as well as individual dishes to make dining here an enjoyable, social affair. Complimentary bread and a homemade dips are brought to the table whilst guests peruse the menu. Opt for the date and wild rocket salad, juicy Angus beef rib-eye steak, catch of the day or the pumpkin ravioli. Reservations are recommended and cocktails are available in the bar before the restaurant opens.
An idyllic lunch spot, Cafe Lilou resembles a Parisian brasserie and offers guests a beautiful view from the terrace. Stop by for a coffee and a freshly baked pastry. For something more wholesome try a crisp salad or tasty sandwich made with freshly baked bread. Lunch at Cafe Lilou can easily turn into afternoon tea, as the comfy sofas entice tired tourist legs to stay seated for just a little bit longer. Each day there is a chef’s special cocktail, soup, salad and dinner plat, check the chalkboard for details.
Certainly eccentric in design, the Bushido Restaurant is surrounded by a small moat and adorned with Samurai statues and plush furnishings in rich, warming colors. Stepping over the threshold is equivalent to walking through a door into another world, a Japanese themed world. An eclectic mix of lounge and ethno-house music adds to the indulgent atmosphere and guests have the choice of four venues to relax and unwind in as the evening draws in. The beautiful al fresco dining area on the terrace, the dark and romantic indoor dining room, the authentic teppanyaki room, and, of course, the sushi bar. For the finishing touch, Bushido also offers diners an extensive cocktail menu and range of sake.
Elegantly decorated in natural creams and golds with wicker curved-back chairs, Upstairs Downstairs restaurant in the heart of Manama is a beautiful restaurant spread over two floors. Local bands often play at weekends and dinner shows are held throughout the week, guests can call ahead to see when the next event is arranged for or just turn up and see if they get lucky. The menu is eclectic, serving a variety of dishes from a mix of international cuisines including pasta dishes, grilled meats, curries and French food. Reservations are recommended on Friday and Saturday nights.
Serving curry-based dishes from all over the world, guests at Curry Country can enjoy Vietnamese, Indonesian, Iranian, Burmese, Indian and Chinese dishes. The brightly colored decor of the restaurant complements the Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines on offer here and the chef regularly introduces a new curry-style from a different corner of the globe to keep the menu exciting and the regulars returning. Go for the vegetarian samosa or rolled Thai shrimp starter, followed by a cashew chicken curry or Iranian lamb khoresh for main course and wash it all down with a glass of refreshing watermelon juice.
Contemporary decor and a Mediterranean menu lie at the heart of Zoe restaurant, where lounge music entertains guests throughout their dining experience. Drinks and mezes can be enjoyed with friends in the lounge area, whilst the restaurant serves up beautifully presented dishes in colorful displays atop pristine white dishes in a more formal setting perfect for romantic meals and celebratory dinners. Sample the Moroccan salmon on a bed of barley risotto or the creamy white clam chowder. Also open for lunch, on sunny days there’s nowhere better to tuck into a healthy lunch than on Zoe’s rooftop with a view out over the city.
Best described as a bistro, Jim’s Restaurant in the arty area of Adliya has achieved the perfect balance between fine and casual dining. Able to cater for large groups as well as intimate pairings, Jim’s gives diners the possibility to enjoy their meal inside the cozy restaurant area or alfresco in the beautiful garden. Known for its chargrilled leg of lamb, deep-fried brie wedges and grilled crayfish, Jim’s is an indulgent affair. Each dish comes exquisitely presented complete with tomato and carrot-carved flowers making guests feel extra special.
An innovative Japanese restaurant tucked away in central Manama, Mirai’s menu fuses traditional Japanese cuisine with elements borrowed from Italian and French classics to create something entirely new and exciting. Reserve a table online and arrive early to enjoy a cocktail in the lounge before being seated. For dinner, opt for the chef’s recommendation of the day or choose the beef teppanyaki (Japanese veal medallions), or a selection of new wave sashimi and nigiri sushi for a meal to remember.
Serving traditional Middle Eastern cuisine in a homely, magically-decorated restaurant, for many the Veranda Restaurant and Cafe is their favourite destination in Bahrain. Dishes on offer include warm Arabic breads, skewered chicken, fresh salads, fried appetizers and plenty of refreshing fruity drinks. For those new to this type of cuisine, Veranda’s Thursday and Friday night barbecue buffets are the perfect opportunity to sample a selection of local meat dishes accompanied by a selection of salads, vegetables and exotic fruits.
Located on the ground floor of Bahrain’s World Trade Centre, Maki boasts an innovative and inspiring menu, with traditional authentic Japanese ingredients used to create unique Asian and Mediterranean gastronomic delights. Both the restaurant and the lounge area are open until late everyday making it a perfect restaurant choice for anyone looking to continue their evening long after dinner is over. Its location within a mall means it’s a great post-shopping dinner spot too. Sleek and contemporary in design, Maki is a sophisticated and modern dining experience that serves up stylish dishes to match.
