Food & Dining in Bahrain
Bahrain offers an excellent food scene reflecting its diverse population. From BHD 2 meals to five-star dining, options cater to all budgets and tastes.
Dining Costs
| Type | Cost per Person (BHD) |
|---|---|
| Local/Indian restaurant | 2-4 |
| Mid-range restaurant | 8-15 |
| Fine dining | 25-50+ |
| Fast food meal | 3-5 |
| Coffee shop | 2-4 |
| Friday brunch | 20-45 |
Cuisine Types Available
Abundant:
- Indian (largest expat community)
- Lebanese/Middle Eastern
- Pakistani/Bangladeshi
- Filipino
- American fast food chains
- International hotel restaurants
Well Represented:
- Italian
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Thai
- Mexican
- British pubs
Must-Try Local Foods
| Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Machboos | Bahrain's national dish - spiced rice with meat/fish |
| Muhammar | Sweet rice with dates |
| Balaleet | Sweet vermicelli with eggs |
| Samboosa | Fried pastries (like samosas) |
| Halwa Showaiter | Traditional sweet |
| Fresh fish | Hammour, seabream, prawns |
Friday Brunch Culture
The iconic Bahrain social institution:
- Held at major hotels
- BHD 20-45 per person (with/without alcohol)
- Buffet with multiple cuisines
- Free-flowing drinks (champagne, cocktails)
- Live entertainment
- 12pm-4pm typical timing
- Book in advance for popular venues
Top brunch spots:
- Gulf Hotel (Bahrain's original)
- Ritz-Carlton
- Four Seasons
- Sofitel
- Crowne Plaza
Grocery Shopping
Major Supermarkets:
- Lulu Hypermarket (best prices, largest)
- Carrefour (French chain)
- Al Jazira Supermarkets (local chain)
- Geant (good range)
- Cold Stores (premium)
Specialty Stores:
- Alosra (organic, healthy)
- British stores for UK products
- Indian/Asian groceries throughout
- Online delivery services
Monthly grocery budget: BHD 80-180 for single person
Alcohol
Where to buy:
- Licensed hotels and restaurants
- Licensed shops (with alcohol permit)
- Duty-free on arrival
Where to consume:
- Hotels and bars
- Licensed restaurants
- Private homes
- Not in public spaces
Permits:
- Available to non-Muslim residents
- Obtained through licensed shops
- Some employers help arrange
Food Delivery
Popular apps:
- Talabat (most popular)
- Carriage
- Deliveroo
- Uber Eats
Delivery adds 0.500-1.000 BHD fee plus potential service charges.
Dining Etiquette
- Tipping: 10% customary but not mandatory
- Reservations recommended for fine dining
- Smart casual dress for nice restaurants
- Business meals often over lunch
- During Ramadan, many restaurants closed during day
Food Considerations
Halal: All meat in Bahrain is halal
Pork: Available at some outlets (separate section)
Vegetarian: Good options in Indian restaurants
Vegan: Growing options, better at health-focused venues
Pro Tips
- •Friday brunch is the main social event - try different hotels
- •Lulu Hypermarket offers best value for groceries
- •Alcohol permits are easy to obtain for non-Muslims
- •Try machboos - the national dish
- •Talabat is the most reliable delivery app
Have questions about food & dining in Bahrain?