In Bahrain, there’s plenty to explore when it comes to international cuisines. But it’s not every day that we visit a restaurant and come back feeling at one with the culture, traditions, and energy of the land it represents. When we were invited to experience the Taste of Africa at Bahrain’s newest fine dining spot, Kula, we weren’t just about try a new cuisine but end up exploring a whole new world.
“Kula” in Swahili means “eat” and it is the restaurant’s vision to introduce the length and breadth of Africa to the multicultural community in Bahrain through food. The vibe of the restaurant transports you to the continent.
Be it the Mount Kilimanjaro section on its top floor, Great Zimbabwe – its outdoor terrace, the indoor Mabira (named after the largest Ugandan bamboo forest), Mzansi which reflects South Africa, or The Lodge, inspired by safari lodges. Stepping into Kula is like getting a glimpse into the world of Africa, the culture, the energy, and yes, most importantly the food.
We were greeted by some of the friendliest staff we’ve met who beat their drums in a very cheerful manner as we entered the restaurant – an action that repeats every time a diner walks through the door. Not breaking from the overall theme of the restaurant, the staff was dressed in the attires, colours, and patterns of Africa. Each section of the restaurant has a different decor.
We chose the Mzansi section, a colourful dining area representing South Africa. From the staff, the decor, the plates and cups to the presentation of the dishes, you are bound to explore the taste of Africa in every interaction you have at Kula.
Coming to the food – if you haven’t tried African cuisine yet, you’re in for an adventure that won’t let you down! We must give you a heads up, though, that the portions served at Kula are rather large so it would make sense to visit as a group (or have an extremely large appetite!).
We first tried the African Hand Pies, inspired by the street food found in most parts of the continent. The flaky pastries are slow-cooked with potatoes and vegetables and come with a thyme-infused beef dipping sauce and a curry. From there, it was just one delicious dish after another.
Next, we tried the Nigerian Jollof with Chicken, a spiced rice dish with tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, and fried plantain, served with wood-fired rotisserie chicken. We’ve been waiting to try a Jollof dish for a while and this hit the right mark! The flavourful rice in itself was a treat, but along with the juicy, perfectly charred chicken, and all the accompaniments, it definitely made it to the very top of our list of dishes to try at Kula.
Next came the African Seven Colours – a plate with seven different mouth-watering dishes coming together in a colourful blend. The dish includes a delicious beef stew with roasted potatoes, a sweet and hearty pumpkin cinnamon mash, a healthy pasta salad, yellow rice, chakalaka – which is beans in a thick spicy tomato gravy, and beetroot.
If you aren’t a lover of eggplant, consider Mama Congo Aubergine to initiate you into the versatile flavours of the vegetable. This plate comes with sauteed bell peppers, onions, and baby spinach stuffed in eggplant. We tried it, we loved it!
Finally, a big shoutout goes to the mocktail bar where we tried Ruby Bubbles AKA “liquid candy” (we named it so). This special blend of pomegranate, lychee, and rose foam hits you with a refreshing burst of flavour that’s not too sweet and yet, just sweet enough.
A follow-up visit to Kula is bound to happen sooner or later for us, as we crave the Taste of Africa more. Being one of the few dining spots to serve authentic African dishes, well adapted to the multicultural tastes of Bahrain, we’re thrilled to have explored this new fine dining gem on the island!
Kula is now open at the RUW Corner in Riffa. Click here to check out their menu or call 17273337 to reserve a table.