Most restaurants in Bahrain are good and many are special… but some are extra special. Bahrain’s Best Restaurants 2023 honours these establishments – the best of the best, and the people behind them.
Who decided?
The winning restaurants for Bahrain’s Best Restaurants 2023 were decided by 74 experienced and distinguished judges best qualified to know what makes a restaurant great – leaders of Bahrain’s 5 and premium 4 Star hotels, and other hospitality experts.
To our judges, we simply asked them to recommend their five favourite restaurants in Bahrain. We offered no suggestions, categories, price ranges, order of preference, or anything else. The only rule was judges could not recommend any restaurant connected to their own company. Voting was fully transparent – every judge can see the restaurants voted for by every other judge.
By following the above method, we ensure the awards are fair, unbiased, and authentic.
Of the restaurants voted for, we discovered 20 clear winners, and a further 18 restaurants considered worthy of special recommendation. We congratulate all the restaurants and the people behind them. Their hard work and dedication are truly appreciated and we hope they will continue to serve Bahrain’s culinary scene with excellence for many years to come.
A few observations…
- Winning restaurants were decided by the leaders of Bahrain’s 5 and premium 4 Star hotels, plus a number of other carefully selected food and hospitality experts.
- Judges were not allowed to vote for any restaurant connected to their own company.
- Voting among judges was fully transparent.
- Of the top 20 restaurants, 5 specialise in Japanese cuisine.
- After Japanese, the most popular cuisine among the top 20 is Italian (3 restaurants).
Clay was the most-voted restaurant among the judges.
- 4 of the 20 top restaurants – CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Masso, Mirai, and My Café were among the winners of the previous Bahrain’s Best Restaurants Awards.
- The previous awards recognised 12 winners plus 28 highly recommended restaurants compared to 20 winners plus 18 highly recommended today. The reason for the difference in numbers is that results depend entirely on the judges’ voting patterns.
Here are Bahrain’s 20 Best Restaurants, voted by the leaders of the island’s 5 and premium 4 Star hotels, and other hospitality experts.
Attic Bahrain
Voted by our judges as their joint favourite Greek restaurant
Cuisine: Greek
Location: Adliya
Attic takes inspiration from all corners of Greece to create food that brings together simple and fresh ingredients that form innovative and flavourful dishes.
Contact: +973 17717780 / 38177177
Bushido by Buddha-Bar
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: Seef
Inspired by the mysticism of Japan, Bushido by Buddha-Bar is a chic dining venue. Their cuisine represents the rich heritage of Japanese culture.
Contact: +973 1758 3555
Circa Restaurant & Lounge
Cuisine: South American
Location: Palmyard Hotel, Manama
With a curated menu of South American dishes, Circa is a hip, smart and sophisticated dining spot offering a weekly dose of tacos and brunches.
Contact: +973 3992 7872
Clay
The restaurant most voted by our judges
Cuisine: Japanese-Peruvian
Location: Adliya
Clay brings a culinary experience inspired by Nikkei, reflecting Japanese-Peruvian culture. The restaurant offers fresh preparations with intricate and nuanced flavours.
Contact: +973 17554545 / 38900029
Coco’s
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Location: Adliya and Juffair
Coco’s offers Italian and Mediterranean flavours along with American dishes. Enjoy the vibe indoors or outdoors, with the latter boasting a luscious green venue.
Contact: +973 1771 2288
CUT by Wolfgang Puck
Voted among the top 6 restaurants
Cuisine: American
Location: Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
From prime-dry and wet-aged beef to shellfish and roasted whole fresh fish, CUT offers several flavours to choose from at its modern American steakhouse. Indulge in Chef Brian Becher’s creations while enjoying a 180-degree view of the iconic Manama skyline.
Contact: +973 1711 5044
Fatto
Cuisine: Italian
Location: Al A’ali Complex / Adliya
Founded in 2016, Fatto is a Pizzeria and Trattoria resembling the traditional Italian flour factories. They offer a modern take on classic Italian dishes.
Contact: +973 6677 8822
Fish Market
Voted by our judges as their favourite seafood restaurant
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: Bahrain Bay
Known for its quality of food and service, Fish Market at The Park, Bahrain Bay offers an exceptional view of the iconic Manama skyline. Experience a wide range of seafood delicacies cooked as per your choice.
Contact: +973 1710 0800
Fusions by Tala
Voted among the top 6 restaurants
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Location: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
Fusions by Tala is a synergy of Middle Eastern cuisine and fine dining, where local cooking techniques and ingredients meet culinary renaissance.
Chef Tala Bashmi brings ingredients of memory and Bahraini tradition together to create unconventional dishes of Middle Eastern origin.
Contact: +973 17746427 / 17713000
L’ORTO by Susy Massetti
Voted by our judges as their favourite Italian restaurant
Cuisine: Italian
Location: Adliya
Susy Massetti’s L’ORTO brings the Italian countryside to Bahrain through innovative preparations and a farm-to-table concept.
Contact: +973 1777 7818
Lumee Street Cafe
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Location: Al A’ali Complex / The Avenues / Saar
‘Lumee’ is Bahraini slang for lemons and limes and reflects the food which is flavour-packed, fresh and zesty, capturing the essence of Middle Eastern street food.
Contact: +973 1743 4300
Maki
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: Bahrain World Trade Center and West Tower
Maki introduces its guests to innovative Japanese cuisine. The restaurant recently unveiled a new look, inspired by the art of Wabi-Sabi.
Contact: +973 1752 2733 / 36999102
Masso
Voted among the top 6 restaurants
Cuisine: European
Location: Palmyard Hotel, Manama
Inspired by the love for the French Riviera and the Amalfi Coast, Masso brings fresh flavours and a vibrant dining experience to Bahrain.
Contact: +973 1772 1061
Mirai
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: Adliya
Mirai brings exquisitely crafted dishes by pushing the boundaries of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Contact: +973 1771 3113
Monsoon
Voted among the top 6 restaurants
Cuisine: Asian
Location: Manama
Monsoon pays tribute to the Palaces of Bali and Temples of the Orient while presenting a diverse menu of Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese food in a traditional Asian setting.
Contact: +973 1774 9222
My Café
Voted among the top 6 restaurants
Cuisine: International
Location: Adliya & Riffa
My Café is a boutique restaurant serving gourmet meals and beverages made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Contact: +973 77344444 Adliya | +973 77344443 Riffa
Opa Bahrain
Voted by our judges as their joint favourite Greek restaurant
Cuisine: Greek
Location: Manama
Explore a traditional Greek menu in a charming ambience inspired by the Greek Islands while dining at Opa.
Contact: +973 3355 5244
Voted by our judges as their joint favourite Greek restaurant
The Orangery
Cuisine: European
Location: Palmyard Hotel, Manama
Inspired by luxurious tearooms of London, Paris, and Vienna, The Orangery offers typical European dishes fused with local Arabian flavours.
Contact: +973 1736 9696
re/Asian Cuisine
Cuisine: Asian
Location: Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
Featuring Wolfgang Puck’s take on traditional Asian cuisine, experience contemporary and classic cooking styles, techniques, and flavours of the Far East at re/Asian Cuisine. Located on the 50th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, the restaurant offers a spectacular view of Bahrain’s skyline.
Contact: +973 1711 5046
Sato Japanese Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: The Gulf Hotel Bahrain
From Teppanyaki rooms to a sushi bar with a smoking section, Sato’s menu features the length and breadth of Japanese cuisine and culture.
Contact: +973 3644 5585 / 3655 1222