Time Out Market has hit the local foodie scene this December! Poised as Bahrain’s first elevated food hall, the Market will feature some of the Kingdom’s top restaurants and chefs who will showcase their culinary flair to visitors – the best of Bahrain under one roof.

The market made its grand debut on 2nd December 2024, and it’s become one of Manama’s must-visit destinations; featuring a stellar lineup of local and homegrown talent, including award-winning chefs, rising culinary stars, and creative artists.

We got in touch with Ian Russell, General Manager of Time Out Market Bahrain to find out more ahead of its grand launch.

What inspired the decision to bring Time Out Market to Bahrain?

Time Out Market is rooted in the heritage of Time Out which started as a magazine in London in 1968 to inspire and enable people to experience the best of the city. Today, a global team of local experts – who know their cities well – are curating the best things to do, see and eat in 333 cities in 59 countries across websites, mobile, social media, video, newsletters and live events; this curation is also brought to life at Time Out Market.

Following the successful launch of the first Market in Lisbon, we’ve been bringing Time Out Markets to other great cities from New York and Barcelona to Cape Town and more – Time Out Market Bahrain is our tenth Market.

When opening a new Market we are looking for cities with a vibrant culinary scene and Bahrain has incredibly diverse and culturally rich food traditions which makes it a great city for us.

How does Time Out Market Bahrain stand out in comparison to other cities?

Time Out Market is a food and cultural market that brings the best of the city together under one roof: a curated mix of the city’s best culinary and cultural experiences. While this is at the heart of each of our Markets around the world, the execution of each Market is distinctly local. That means in Time Out Market Bahrain you will only find the best of Bahrain, it’s all about home-grown top talents.

Add to that local cultural experiences and you will have a place you can come back to again and again to experience the best of the city. Our goal is to bring a new culinary and cultural experience to Bahrain while spotlighting the incredible talents Bahrain has to offer. We give them a platform to showcase their skills to a wider audience, proudly presenting Bahrain as a vibrant and exciting destination for food lovers and cultural enthusiasts.

What has been your biggest challenge in bringing Time Out Market to life in Bahrain?

A fantastic challenge in all cities in which we open is the curation. To curate the culinary lineup, we taste and test the best of the city and then we carefully select the city’s very best leading but also emerging culinary talents and invite them to join us. Cities are melting pots of diverse food and talents, and it’s always an exciting journey to identify those chefs and restaurateurs we would like to have a presence in our Markets.

Can you tell us a little about the events or exclusive dining experiences Bahrain’s foodies can look forward to at the market?

The Market will offer plenty of space – across over 3,000 sqm, there will be eleven kitchens, dessert counters, a coffee hub, a stage for entertainment and an al fresco rooftop. It’s a place that caters to every taste from breakfast and lunch to dinner, and anytime in between. With more than 900 seats spread across two levels, guests will come together at communal tables in a uniquely designed space and get a true taste of Bahrain’s rich food culture.

We are proud of the impressive chefs, restaurateurs and concepts we have curated for the Market – our curated mix features: Villa Mamas by Roaya Saleh, offering modern Middle Eastern cuisine; By Mirai will serve exquisite Japanese-inspired cuisine; By Mirai will also bring its Japanese fusion to Time Out Market Bahrain’s spectacular rooftop; Ô Liban will bring a modern take on Lebanese cuisine; Banu will present an authentic Persian menu; and Florencia Ice Cream will spoil us with their artisanal gelato and sorbets; SOUL will give foodies satisfying comfort food with real, fresh, handcrafted burgers; Circa will introduce the true flavours of South America, offering a modern twist on Latin cuisine; Fatto will create its comforting, rustic, and much-loved Italian cuisine; Goodness will make all-day breakfast and baking dreams come true; Eathai will bring the vibrant flavours and authentic aromas of Thailand; Doña by Margarita Mexicana will offer the true flavours of Mexico; Zen by China Garden will serve Cantonese, Szechuan and Peking specialities; and Kāju, which promises to tantalise taste buds with its aromatic Indian Cuisine. On the rooftop, you also find Kyro Lounge.

What goes into managing a space where so many top restaurants and chefs operate together?

We are very lucky that our Market will be home to exceptional restaurants and chefs – their creativity and excellence will make this a place like no other and make high-quality dining accessible. Our concept essentially allows our vendors to do what they do best: creating incredible food – while we, the Market team, are looking after everything else so they can focus on showcasing their skills and giving our guests unique experiences.

With Time Out Market being known for curating the best of the city, what in your opinion defines the best of Bahrain’s food culture?

Bahrain has a very rich, diverse tapestry of culinary traditions and that’s something we want to capture – Time Out Market is dedicated to celebrating this vibrant, constantly evolving food scene. By showcasing the best local talents – including several female chefs and restaurateurs – and giving them a platform to reach a wide audience, the Market promotes the Kingdom’s potential in the global F&B industry and positions it as the ultimate destination for foodies from around the world.