At the end of the palace gardens at Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, past the stillness of one of the Kingdom’s most considered addresses, a room has come alive. Ninive, the celebrated cultural dining concept, has opened its doors in Bahrain, bringing with it a contemporary take on the Middle Eastern majlis, built specifically for this island and this community.
This marks the restaurant brand’s first venue outside the UAE. Founded by the Paris Society, the concept takes its name from Nineveh, one of the oldest cities of Mesopotamia and the place where researchers believe the Hanging Gardens of the ancient world may have flourished. That sense of deep regional history runs through every aspect of the brand, from the design and the tableware to the food and drink.
Ninive first opened at Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai back in 2017. The restaurant picked up a Michelin Bib Gourmand, a BBC Good Food Award for Best Middle Eastern Restaurant, and a reputation as one of the most atmospheric rooms in the region. The Bahrain venue is the fourth expression of the brand, following those at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and J1 Beach in Dubai.
“We are delighted to welcome Ninive to Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, and to begin this exciting new chapter for the property. As a brand deeply rooted in culture, storytelling, and meaningful connections, Ninive complements our vision of creating extraordinary experiences for our guests and the local community. This partnership brings together two hospitality brands that share a commitment to authenticity, excellence, and the art of gathering. We look forward to seeing Ninive become an integral part of Bahrain’s vibrant social and culinary landscape.“— Yazan Latif, General Manager, Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain
“Ninive is a contemporary majlis — a space where the heritage of the Middle East and North Africa is not left in the past but lived, shared, and celebrated. Bahrain has practised the art of gathering for generations. The majlis is not a concept here; it is a way of life, and that is exactly the community this was built for. Raffles Al Areen Palace gave us everything we needed: a palace garden, the start of the indoor season when the city’s social life finds its full rhythm, and a community that has always known what genuine hospitality looks like. Bahrain holds a prominent position in this region, and we felt a real responsibility to honour that. This opening is our answer.” — Rizwan Kassim, CEO of Paris Society
Ninive is conceived as a contemporary majlis: a gathering space rather than a conventional restaurant, built around the rhythms of a long evening. The design by Pirajean Lees draws on Mesopotamian mythology and Bedouin architecture, combining time-worn wood, antique brass, Zellige tiles, handcrafted detailing, and cuneiform-inspired motifs. The overall effect is layered and atmospheric.
The setting at Raffles Al Areen Palace lends the experience a particular quality. Guests arrive through the hotel’s palace gardens before stepping into the restaurant, so the transition from a calm, wellness-focused exterior to a warm and animated interior forms part of the visit itself. Scent plays a role too, with woodsmoke, orange blossom, resin, and incense woven through the space, alongside a music programme that builds as the evening progresses.
The kitchen offers a fully à la carte menu drawing on the culinary traditions of the Middle East, the Levant, and North Africa. Signature dishes include Tashreeb with braised lamb shoulder, Iraqi spices, chickpeas, honey, and bread; Couscous Royal with semolina, vegetables, chicken, merguez, and lamb; and a Mixed Grill Platter featuring lamb chops, Wagyu tenderloin, Adana kebab, king prawn skewer, and saffron rice.
The beverage list takes its cues from the Arabic souq, with saffron, tamarind, dried lime, rose, dates, and cardamom running through a cocktail menu that includes 1001 Nights, Age of Babylon, Tamarind Sour, and Gold Rush. All tableware was created by skilled potters specifically for the venue.
The restaurant is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm; Thursday and Friday from 5:00 pm to midnight; closed Monday. Live entertainment runs on Thursday and Friday evenings.
READ MORE: The Art of Simple Cooking at Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain
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