The Bahrain Food & Drink Checklist

13 Bahrain Food Essentials (and Coco's & Cafe Lilou are not on the list)

I'm regularly asked what are the must-try eating experiences in Bahrain from tourists and residents (especially ones ticking off items before they leave the +973). So after much thought and deliberation. Here goes...

1. A Bahraini breakfast experience; one of the first things I tried when I moved here over a decade ago. Head to a number of traditional spots and order their 'breakfast set'. This will normally include Balaleet, Egg & Tomato, Khabaz bread and more. Where to go? Naseef, Emmawash, Areesh, Haji's and more.
2. Tikka; a Bahraini essential! These lamb cubes are marinated in black lime to give them their slightly sour and mouth watering taste. Served on skewers or in a 'bread parcel', every carnivore visiting the island must try them. Where to try? Haji's, Heritage Village, Sabr Ayoub, Tikka Abel and more.
3. Lamb chops; Bahraini lamb chops are the stuff of dreams. Juicy, flavour packed and served with the perfect trifecta of onions, herbs and flat bread. Translated as 'riyash' in Arabic, I will be very disappointed if you don't head here to try them immediately. Another contender high on my list is Tren Tren in Arad.
4. Fusions by Tala; a visit to the +973 requires a visit to Chef Tala's Fusions at the Gulf Hotel. The talent brimming from this young Bahraini chef knows no bounds and you would be amiss for not trying her fusion of classic techniques combined with local flavours. Read more.
5. Cheese Samboosa; these fried phyllo parcels of melted cheese are by no means gourmet, but by all means pure comfort. A fail safe snack, party food, meal replacement emergency bite and more. Make sure to get them fresh from stalwarts like Tariq Pastries.
6. It isn't really a hungry fifi list if there are no drinking options 😉 The Merchant Roof, perfect from November through May, is an essential for sundowners. To be plonked in the center of bustling Manama, seconds away from the souk, in a rooftop garden is pure bliss. Why not try it as part of a 'souk crawl' (sign up to my newsletter to get the routes for this). Read more.
7. "Tell me you're in Arabia, without telling me you're in Arabia" Eating a Camel Burger is one of those things when you just have to do it for the 'gram! Read about my experience here.
8. Shawarma Alley... a road dedicated to shawarmas! What slice of late night, post drinking heaven did you stumble upon? Any visit to Bahrain requires a post night out bite here. Costing less than a dinar and perfect for eating in your taxi on the way home (make sure to grab one for your driver too), it makes for a great alternative to fast food chain meals late at night.
9. Lumee Cafe; I've chosen this local chain cafe as it captures contemporary high street Arabic food so perfectly. From a quick salad at the mall, breakfast with friends or ordering in some shawarmas or rice dishes at night. Lumee captures the heart and stomach of all who visit and I believe they will do so when they head outside our shores this year.
10. Make sure to have a few pennies in your wallet before you head to a local bakery for some 'Khabaz', freshly made bread is fired up in large ovens then served straight to you. With most customers taking it home, I am in the full belief that you need to stop right there and munch away. Irresistible. (If they have a cheese bread option then 100% make sure to order that too)
11. From low-key to high-end, we have it all. As a professional happy-hour goer (look mum, aren't you proud!) I make sure to take everyone to the Four Season's CUT Lounge for a happy hour drink and world-class Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich. What might seem an odd choice to my Bahrain's 'essentials' list, will not seem so after you have tried this beaut.   
12. Even if you stop by for just this, rather than have a full blown meal, the Mehyawa & Cheese bread at Danet Al Tawish is a must. I've had it as part of a meal or just a quick snack when in the souk. (What is mehyawa? A local fermented fish oil, akin to an anchovy-ish paste. Tastes much better than it sounds!) Read more.
13. I am putting La Fontaine on this list as I need everyone who comes to this land to visit this magical setting! Like something out of a fairytale, this hidden spot in Manama is a must-visit. Either come for a meal (though the food is nothing special...sorry peeps) or just a glass of wine, head here, gape at the surrounding, take your selfies and enjoy. Read more.

I did also ask a trusted Bahraini foodie friend what they might add... just to add another angle to my post.

Safi and white rice from Tabreez, sloos and seafood lunch at Fish Market, warm halwa and Arabic coffee, sweet samboosas and zalabiya, Maatem rice, Aloo Bashir.

Got a comment? Agree? Disagree? Following this list religiously? Then let me know in the comments!