Manama travel guide

Machboos

Bahrain's national dish—slow-cooked fragrant rice with chicken, lamb or fish, spiced with loomi (dried black lime), cardamom and saffron with rose water finish; the defining taste of Gulf hospitality

Muhammar (sweet rice)

A uniquely Bahraini rice specialty cooked with dates, sugar and cardamom—served sweet alongside savory meat dishes in a sweet-savory contrast; ancient and unlike any other Gulf rice preparation

Fresh fish

Gulf waters produce exceptional hamour (grouper), kingfish and shrimp; Manama's Seafood Corniche restaurants serve fish landed from the Gulf the same morning, simply grilled or in spiced tomato broth

Bahraini halwa

Dense, gelatinous confection made with saffron, rose water and nuts—available in jewel-like colors at the Bab Al Bahrain souk; the traditional sweet eaten at celebrations and gifted during Eid and weddings

Arabic coffee

Light, cardamom-scented qahwa poured from long-beaked dallah pots into handleless cups; always accompanied by dates; accepting coffee is accepting hospitality—refusing is a mild social slight in Bahrain