5 Most Popular Restaurants You Must Visit In Manama

As the capital of Bahrain, it’s no surprise that buzzing Manama has something to offer almost every hungry foodie, from traditional Middle Eastern to Italian cuisines, and from adventurous street eats to high-end hotel dining. Whether you’re looking for a quick coffee overlooking the city or to enjoy a meal at any time of the day in one of the finest restaurants, this updated article lists Manama’s 5 must-try restaurants.

* Cafe Lilou

With its comfortable and chic Parisian brasserie décor and its warm vibe, Cafe Lilou is the place to be. The café offers a range of good quality coffee as well as cakes and pastries. In addition, Café Lilou’s menu offers fresh salads such as the gaite parisienne, the bouchees vegaondes or Lilou’s own caesar salad. Café Lilou also offers freshly baked bread sandwiches such as the sandwich festif, le champs elysees and the mini cousin au boeuf which are all accompanied by either Lilou speciality milkshakes or coffees.

* Zoe

Located in building reminiscent of urban New York, Zoe Cafe and lounge provides a chilled atmosphere where guests can enjoy eclectic Mediterranean dishes such as the goat cheese exotica mix with fresh vegetables, wrapped with filo and exotic fruits, or the homemade crab cake with chili aioli fried and grilled with corn salsa and mixed greens. Along with its menu, Zoe’s provides a selection of international drinks from Australia, Italy and South Africa. On sunny days guests are able to enjoy their meals on Zoe’s rooftop while overlooking the beauty of Manama city.

* Upstairs Downstairs

At Upstairs Downstairs’ charming location in the heart of Manama, guests can enjoy something different every day. Decorated in the style of a traditional English country house to create an intimate atmosphere, Upstairs Downstairs is the perfect place to enjoy the finest meal with a global touch while listening to live jazz. When it comes to the menu, Upstairs Downstairs has its all, from small bites like the battered calamari dipped in garlic, or the spinach and halloumi cheese salad. Try tasty main course options such as the spinach and ricotta cannelloni cooked in spicy tomato sauce, or the braised leg of lamb cooked with thyme, served with seasonal greens and mashed potatoes.

* Camelot

With a casual and classy environment, Camelot’s mission is to bring the finest cuisine from around the world to Manama. Camelot’s head chef Maria Kimsey crafts every meal with exquisite details, which brings an individuality to the menu. Divided into three global regions, the menu’s Asian section includes dishes such as the masala mansor dal, a variety of sushi rolls, and waygu rump steak. The Middle Eastern section provides hamour fillet, the halloumi delight or the lamb shank. When it comes to its European sections, Camelot offers authentic dishes like the sea bream, moules mariniere or the divine chicken breast. In addition, Camelot’s menu offers a selection of carefully chosen imported wine.

* Tea Club

Originally located on the Exhibition Road in Manama, in 2010, Tea Club relocated to the waterfront lagoon part in the Amwaj Island. Since then, Tea Club has become an exclusive place to hang out. With its luxurious decoration, Tea Club offers its guests not only an elegant setting, but also a selection of world-class teas from countries as far-flung as Morocco, China and India. Also, Tea Club serves many dishes from the southern burger, chicken fajita wrap, to the marinara seafood pasta, assorted with variety of international desserts.