Bahrain's Ultimate Food Guide: A Must-Eat Destination

Bahrain is a melting pot of authentic and inspired cuisine, influenced by its rich history and cultural diversity. The country's location in the Persian Gulf has brought together Persian, Sumerian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Portuguese, Arab, British, and Indian cultures, all reflected in its food. From savoury porridge to sweet dumplings, here is a list of must-eats when visiting Bahrain:

- Machboos, the national dish of Bahrain, is a spiced rice dish made with chicken, lamb, or fish, and a blend of aromatic spices.

- Harees, a savoury porridge made from wheat and meat, is slow-cooked to perfection and often enjoyed during Ramadan.

- Jireesh, another traditional dish, is made from crushed wheat, chicken or lamb, and spiced with ghee.

- Samboosa, similar to samosas, is a deep-fried pastry with a meat, onion, and spice filling.

- Ghreybah cookies, a traditional Bahraini shortbread topped with nuts.

- Balaleet, a sweet and savoury dish of vermicelli noodles cooked with sugar, spices, and sometimes saffron, is typically served with fried eggs.

- Muhammar, a sweet rice dish with dates and spices, is often paired with grilled or fried fish.

- Halwa Showaiter, a dense, jelly-like traditional dessert made with cornstarch, ghee, sugar, and saffron.

- Ma'amoul, small filled pastries with dates, nuts, or figs, are perfect with Arabic coffee.

- Qoozi, a celebratory dish of roasted lamb stuffed with rice and spices, is a must-try.

- Safi, a local fish spiced and fried, served with basmati rice and fried tomatoes and eggplants.

- Tikka, grilled chicken or meat marinated overnight, is a popular dinner option.

- Ghoozi, a dish of Iraqi origin, consists of roasted lamb stuffed with rice and minced meat, topped with nuts and raisins.

- Keema, a minced meat dish with peas and other vegetables, is a popular breakfast option.

- Luqaimat, sweet dumplings with a blend of sugar, flour, saffron, and cardamom, served with various spreads.

- Sharbat Zafran, a chilled saffron drink believed to have health benefits, is a refreshing local favourite.

- Aloo Basheer, a famous dish of melt-in-your-mouth potato patties served with spicy sauce and chickpeas.

- Ogaili, a bundt-like cake made with rice and wheat flour, greased with tahini and sesame, is a unique dessert.

Bahraini Street Food

Samboosa

A popular Bahraini street food, Samboosa is a thin pastry dough stuffed with various fillings such as cheese, meat, or pizza-style fillings. It is shaped into a triangle and fried to perfection, resulting in a crunchy golden pocket. Samboosa can be enjoyed at any time of the day and is available in most local restaurants and Chai Kark shops.

Mehyawa

Inspired by Persian cuisine, Mehyawa is a sauce made by fermenting anchovies with spices such as anise, coriander, and cumin. It is then blended to a sauce-like consistency and drizzled over other dishes. Mehyawa can be found in local bakeries, where it is served with freshly baked Iranian bread or wafer-thin bread called reqaq.

Luqimat

Luqimat is a sweet and crunchy dumpling made with a blend of flour, yeast, sugar, saffron, and cardamom. These bite-sized treats are fried and served with sweet syrup or date syrup poured on top. Luqimat is especially popular during Ramadan but can be found year-round in major local restaurants. Modern variations include fillings such as Nutella, lotus, or pistachio sauce.

Machboos

Machboos is the national dish of Bahrain and a must-try for any visitor. It is a spiced rice dish made with basmati rice, chicken, lamb, or fish, and a blend of aromatic spices like cloves, cinnamon, and black lime. The rice is cooked with the meat or chicken, infusing it with flavour. It is often garnished with fried onions and served with "dakous," a green chilli-based sauce.

Baid Tamat

This simple yet delicious dish is a combination of fried eggs and tomatoes, known as "baid" and "tamat" in Arabic, respectively. It is typically served with freshly baked Iranian bread or a side of baked beans. Baid Tamat is a popular breakfast option and can be found in most local restaurants.

Khobez Jebn

Khobez Jebn is a type of street food made by spreading cheese on bread dough and shaping it into a pocket before baking it in clay ovens. It is a budget-friendly and tasty breakfast option, available at local bakeries called Khabaz.

In addition to these options, Bahraini street food also includes Balaleet, a sweet and savoury vermicelli noodle dish; Bahraini Kebabs, which are vegetarian and made with chickpea flour, masalas, eggs, and finely chopped vegetables; and Qambar, a fried bread that can be served sweet or savoury.

Traditional Bakeries

A trip to Bahrain is incomplete without a visit to a local baker, or 'khabaz', as they are known locally. These bakeries offer the chance to taste authentic, freshly baked loaves of bread unique to Bahrain. Here are some traditional bakeries to check out:

Red Croissant Bakery

Located in Manama, the Red Croissant Bakery is a great place to try 'Khobez Jebn', a fluffy bread made with dough and smeared with an in-house cheese spread. It is a delicious and budget-friendly breakfast option.

Jena Bakery

Jena Bakery in Hamala, Bahrain, is known for its 'Balaleet', a local speciality made with sweet and spicy vermicelli pasta topped with a fried or scrambled egg.

Qambar Sweetshop

For a unique bread experience, head to Qambar Sweetshop in Muharraq. They offer a special dough made with flour, yeast, and black sesame that can be served sweet with powdered sugar or savoury with spreadable cheese.

Lilou Artisan Patisserie

Lilou Artisan Patisserie in Manama is the place to go for 'Ogaili', a traditional Bahraini dessert made from rice and wheat flour and baked in pans greased with a blend of tahini and sesame.

Local Chai Kark Shops

For a local experience, visit the local Chai Kark shops scattered across the island. Here, you can enjoy 'Samboosas', thin pastry dough stuffed with cheese, meat, or pizza-style fillings, wrapped in freshly prepared chapati bread and sprinkled with hot sauce.

Savoury Dishes

Bahrain's savoury dishes are a delightful fusion of various cultural influences, including Arab, Indian, Persian, and British. Here are some savoury dishes you should try when visiting Bahrain:

Machboos

Machboos is often regarded as the national dish of Bahrain. It is a flavourful rice dish that combines basmati rice with chicken, lamb, or fish. The rice is infused with a special blend of spices called "Bahrat," which includes dried lime ("Loomi"), cloves, and cinnamon. The dish is often garnished with fried onions and served with "Daqoos," a green chilli-based sauce.

Harees

Harees is a comforting savoury porridge that is especially popular during Ramadan. It is made by slow-cooking wheat and meat, typically chicken or lamb, for over eight hours until it achieves a gooey, porridge-like consistency. It is a hearty and flavourful dish that will surely satisfy any craving.

Samboosa

Samboosa is Bahrain's version of the popular samosa found in many parts of the world. It is a deep-fried pastry stuffed with a mixture of meat, onions, and spices. Samboosa can be enjoyed as an appetiser or a snack, and it is a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

Keema

Keema is a savoury dish with South Asian origins. It is made with minced meat, typically beef, lamb, or mutton, and is often served with fried eggs. Keema is slow-cooked with vegetables like peas, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes, resulting in a flavourful and hearty dish.

Tikka

Tikka is a grilled delight that comes in both chicken and meat options. The chicken is flavoured with tomato and paprika, while the meat can be prepared in two ways: "Yoghurt Tikka," marinated in a yogurt mix, or "Loomi Tikka," coated with a Loomi marinade for a tangy twist. Tikka is best enjoyed with freshly baked Iranian bread and a side of greens.

Ghoozi

Ghoozi is a dish with Iraqi roots that has become a local favourite in Bahrain. It consists of roasted lamb stuffed with rice and spiced minced meat. It is served on a bed of spiced rice and garnished with raisins and nuts. Ghoozi is a hearty and flavourful dish perfect for a filling lunch.

Sweet Treats

Bahrain has a diverse range of sweet treats to offer, influenced by its rich cultural history. Here is a list of must-try desserts and sweet dishes when visiting Bahrain:

Luqaimat

Fried sweet and tender balls made with a blend of sugar, flour, saffron, cardamom, and yeast. These dumplings are served with sweet or date syrup poured on top and are especially popular during Ramadan. Modern variations include stuffing them with Nutella, lotus, or pistachio sauce.

Halwa Showaiter

A traditional Bahraini dessert similar to jelly, made from cornstarch, ghee, sugar, saffron, rosewater, and various other flavourings. It has a dense, gelatinous texture and is often garnished with nuts.

Ogaili

A bundt-like cake made with rice and wheat flour, infused with saffron and cardamom. What makes Ogaili unique is that the pans are greased with a blend of tahini and sesame instead of butter or oil, giving it a distinct flavour.

Khanfroosh

A donut-like cake made with rice and wheat flour, fried in a similar way to donuts, and sprinkled with icing sugar. These treats are usually served during occasions or in celebration of Eid.

Balaleet

A unique combination of sweet and savoury, Balaleet is made with vermicelli noodles cooked with sugar, spices, and sometimes saffron. It is typically served with a side of fried eggs and is a popular breakfast dish in Bahrain.

Sharbat Zafran

A popular local drink with Persian roots, Sharbat Zafran is infused with saffron and is best served chilled. It is believed to have several health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, improving depression, and giving the skin a healthy glow.

Ma'amoul

Small, filled pastries often made during festive seasons. The fillings vary but typically include dates, nuts, or figs. These delicate treats are best enjoyed with Arabic coffee.

Drinks

Bahrain's drinks are as diverse as its food, with options ranging from coffee and tea to alcoholic beverages and healthy buttermilk.

Arabic Coffee (Qahwah)

Arabic coffee, or Qahwah, is the national drink of Bahrain. It is brewed from Coffea Arabica beans and is popular worldwide, holding about 70% of the market share. Qahwah is served very hot and only filled halfway. It is used in celebrations, hospitality, fortune-telling, and funerals.

Tea

Tea is also an integral part of Bahraini culture. Black tea, served with or without milk, is a common offering in hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Tea is often consumed for relaxation and is believed to offer various nutrients.

Sharbat Zafran

Sharbat Zafran is a popular local drink with Persian roots. It is a refreshing chilled beverage infused with saffron, which is believed to offer health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and improving skin complexion.

Buttermilk (Laban)

Laban is a tasty and healthy choice, made from cow's or goat's milk that has been churned into butter before further processing. It is consumed as a beverage, especially after meals, and is also used in cooking, including in soups and sauces.

Arak

Arak is an alcoholic, translucent white drink enjoyed across the Arab world. It is made from a combination of aniseed and grapes and typically has an alcoholic content of at least 50%.

Other Drinks

Other popular drinks in Bahrain include rose sharbat (a sweet drink made with rose water and milk), yoghurt drinks, soft drinks, and apricot juice (Qamar al-Din).

Frequently asked questions