Shoppers' Paradise: Bahrain's Best Buys Revealed

Bahrain is a shopper's paradise, offering everything from local markets to luxury malls. The country's souqs, or markets, are famous for their aromatic spices, fresh seafood, clothes, antiques, and gold. For those seeking luxury brands, malls such as the Bahrain City Center Mall, Moda Mall, and Seef Mall provide a range of high-end options. But it is the local products that truly capture the essence of Bahrain, including real pearls, Persian rugs, local spices, fresh dates, and traditional handicrafts.

Spices

Bahrain is a haven for foodies and spice enthusiasts. The country's heritage souks are brimming with colourful spices, including turmeric, cardamom, cumin powder, saffron, coriander powder, and the unique Bahraini curry powder, bzaar. These spices will add a distinct zing to your dishes and elevate your culinary creations.

One of the most famous spice markets in Bahrain is Souq Waqif, which offers a wide variety of aromatic spices alongside fresh seafood, clothes, wood, and antique jewellery. This marketplace, known as the "standing market" in Arabic, has a rich history, with merchants crowding its lanes to display their unique collection of goods.

Another great place to shop for spices is the Manama Souq, located in the capital city of Manama. This popular marketplace offers a range of traditional coffee shops, small stalls, and departmental stores where you can find various spices, including the famous Bahraini Majbuse spices.

If you're looking for a more modern shopping experience, online stores like Ubuy offer a diverse range of international spice brands and products that may not be readily available elsewhere. Ubuy provides convenient access to spices from the comfort of your home, delivering to all major cities in Bahrain.

For those who appreciate the traditional and authentic, the Al Qaysariya Market is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular choice for spice shopping. This market is known for its majestic architecture and cultural significance, providing a unique setting for spice shopping in Bahrain.

Lastly, for a local favourite, Muharraq Souq is a bustling marketplace filled with the aroma of Arabian coffee and spices. Here, you'll find amazing coffee places, sweet shops, and a variety of spices to tantalise your taste buds.

Whether you choose to explore the vibrant souks, opt for online convenience, or both, Bahrain offers a plethora of options for spice enthusiasts looking to add some exotic flavours to their kitchen.

Handicrafts

Bahrain is known for its colourful souks and markets, which sell a variety of handicrafts, including handwoven items, tapestries, wall hangings, glass mosaics, and woven baskets. These items showcase the country's cultural heritage and are often meticulously crafted by local artisans.

The Manama Souk, located in the capital city of Manama, is a popular place to find handicrafts. This souk has a variety of small shops and stalls selling handicrafts, as well as traditional coffee shops and local cuisine. It is known for its aromatic spices, clothes, wood, toys, antiques, electronics, perfumes, incense, and tobacco.

Another famous market for handicrafts is the Al Jasra Handicrafts Centre, which offers a host of traditional activities and workshops in collaboration with the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities. Visitors can sign up for workshops such as an Introduction to Mosaic, Woodwork, perfume-making, and terrazzo planting to learn about traditional Bahraini arts and crafts.

The Al Qaysariya Market, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also known for its handicrafts. This market is famous for its pearls, with shops selling radiographically certified pearls, as well as its majestic architecture and beautiful cafes.

For those interested in pottery, the traditional village of A'ali is the place to go. Here, visitors can find unique Bahraini pottery articles that have been skillfully crafted by generations of potters.

Gold

Muharraq Souq is another famous market for gold shopping. This market features multiple gold shops with authentic quality and traditional designs. The streets of Muharraq Souq are filled with the aroma of Arabian coffee, and the place is a gem for dessert lovers, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

If you're looking for a specific gold jewellery brand, Malabar Gold & Diamonds has multiple stores in Bahrain, including one in Manama. They offer a range of gold and diamond jewellery collections and provide services such as gold polishing, diamond replacement, and gold exchange.

Lastly, Gold Bahrain offers free delivery within the country and accepts cash or BenefitPay on delivery. You can conveniently check the gold rate and prices on their website, which updates automatically.

With so many options available, you are sure to find some exquisite gold pieces to add to your collection or give as gifts during your shopping spree in Bahrain.

Food

Bahrain is a food lover's paradise, offering a wealth of options to tantalise your taste buds. Here is a guide to the food you can shop for in Bahrain:

Dates

Dates are the elixir of the Middle East and a staple in Bahrain. They are widely consumed for breakfast and to break the Ramadan fast. Fresh dates can be purchased at a farmer's market, while preserved dates or date jams are available in local marketplaces and malls. For a unique treat, try dates coated with chocolate or stuffed with nuts, lemon, almonds, or oranges. A popular and trusted name for dates is Bateel.

Spices

Bahrain's spice markets offer a wide range of regional spices that can elevate any dish. Popular spices found in Bahrain include turmeric, cardamom, cumin powder, saffron, and coriander powder. A unique spice to Bahrain is bzaar, a curry powder that can add a zing to your meals. Souq Waqif, a historical marketplace in Bahrain, is a great place to explore and shop for spices.

Seafood

For seafood lovers, Souq Waqif offers a variety of fresh seafood options alongside aromatic spices. Here, you can find everything from fish to shrimp and more.

Sweets

Bahrainis have a sweet tooth, and the island is home to various confectioneries offering traditional sweets and desserts. Some popular Bahraini sweets include Khanfroosh, Rehash, Baklava, Luqaimat, and halwa. The Showalter shops in Muharraq are famous for their halwa, made with a 150-year-old family recipe. You can also take a tour of their manufacturing facility in Muharraq souq and taste their delicious range of desserts.

Coffee

Coffee is an integral part of Bahrain's culture, symbolising friendship, hospitality, and warmth. Muharraq Souq is known for its pleasing aroma of Arabian Coffee. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or a dessert lover, this is the place to be. Indulge in the unique coffee culture and treat yourself to some sweet treats.

Clothing

Bahrain is a shopper's paradise, with a range of clothing options available. From international brands to local boutiques, there is something for everyone. Here is a guide to the clothing options in Bahrain:

Malls

Bahrain is home to several malls that offer a wide range of clothing options. The Bahrain City Centre Mall, located in Manama's Seef neighbourhood, is the largest mall in Bahrain. It houses over 340 stores, including well-known fashion labels such as Saks Avenue, Debenhams, and Centre Point. You can find a variety of clothing options here, from budget-friendly boutiques to expensive luxury labels.

The Moda Mall, located inside the Bahrain World Trade Centre, is another great option for high-end fashion. It houses over 80 luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton, Emporio Armani, Dior, and Versace.

Other popular malls for clothing shopping in Bahrain include the Seef Mall, the second-largest mall in the country, known for its unique architecture and vibrant ambiance, and the Avenues, a waterfront shopping centre with over 130 brands and a stunning location on the Arabian Gulf.

Souqs and Markets

For a more traditional shopping experience, Bahrain's souqs and markets offer a wide array of clothing options. The Manama Souq, also known as Bab Al Bahrain, is a popular marketplace located in the capital city of Manama. Here, you can find a variety of clothing items, including traditional Arabic garments such as abayas and scarves. The souq is also a great place to shop for handicrafts, textiles, perfumes, spices, and gold.

Another famous market for clothing is the Muharraq Souq, known for its aromatic Arabian coffee and sweet shops. This market offers a range of clothing options, including modern and traditional designs.

Souq Waqif is another historical marketplace in Bahrain, where you can find a wide variety of clothes, spices, woods, and fresh seafood.

Specialty Stores

In addition to the malls and souqs, Bahrain also has specialty stores for clothing. 'Mobayas', a brand by Bahraini entrepreneur Mobeena Inam, offers artistic and modern designs for abayas. Annada store, located in Seef Mall, is another great option for clothing, as they feature the artwork of local Bahraini artists on their scarves, stationery, and men's and women's clothing.

So, whether you're looking for traditional Arabic clothing or modern fashion, Bahrain has a lot to offer in terms of clothing options. The mix of malls, souqs, and specialty stores provides a diverse and exciting shopping experience for visitors.

Frequently asked questions