Dining

Avant-garde Adliya

by BTM

Wed, 05 September 2018

Avant-garde Adliya

Turn a corner anywhere in Adliya’s Block 338 and you’ll find an eatery vying for your attention. BTM rounds up the best dining spots in the area.

If there is one district in Bahrain that has it all – it’s Adliya. This vibrant locality is found teaming with tourists and residents alike, be it any day of the week, and for good reason. Its many bylanes and alleyways are brimming with culinary gems that will literally leave you spoilt for choice, whatever your pocket size or purpose.
The Gulf Hotel is a long-standing stalwart of the area. Exuding luxury and sophistication, it is the go-to dining place to impress important business associates or woo that special someone. This landmark property has a range of gastronomic choices. A few of the best known are China Garden, Royal Thai, Margarita Mexicana, Sato for Japanese delights and Zahle for the love of Lebanese bites. Two noteworthy mentions are Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia’s Rasoi by Vineet, serving contemporary Indian fare, and the relaunched Italian restaurant La Pergola by Perbellini, in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Giancarlo Perbellini. 
Another hotel in the vicinity is The Palace Boutique Hotel, best known for two of its outlets. Susy Massetti’s Masso is all about Southern European fine dining and is on everyone’s list of the hottest Mediterranean dining spots. The Orangery Tearoom & Patisserie looks pretty as a picture, where guests can sip on comforting beverages and tuck into seasonal delicacies as well as oven-fresh high tea and breakfast treats.
Offering a labyrinth of stand-alone restaurants, Adliya has some of the best and most popular eateries, serving an array of cuisines for every taste. 

Indian and Asian Indulgences

Lanterns Lounge and Restaurant is one of the best-loved Indian dining spots in the country. The ambience of the restaurant downstairs is rife with the royalty of the cuisine. Whereas the LNT Gastropub upstairs has a different vibe and should be part of your next pub crawl. 
Chapter 1 Restaurant & Rooftop Lounge is a relatively new entrant on the block and serves an Indian-inspired mix of gastronomy. If you’re craving the fiery flavours of Thai food, you can head to Thailand (the restaurant), Banana Leaf, or the very friendly Hash House. All of these serve a mean green curry and other equally impressive Thai delicacies. Beijing restaurant is a great place for a variety of dishes from mainland China, while David’s Stir Fry Crazy offers a fair choice of bold flavours spanning South-East Asia. If you’re looking for a quick weekday meal that’s easy on the pocket, choose Peppers Fusion for Asian treats. 
The neighbourhood also has Akiko, for traditional and authentic Japanese Izakaya dishes, and old favourite Meisei is everyone’s go-to for contemporary Japanese cuisine for every occasion. For some Korean fare (we told you, Adliya does have everything), head over to Da Rae Jung. 

Continental Classics

Camelot is an old favourite; a fine dining experience in a dreamy, castle-like structure. It serves French favourites such as Moules Marinières as well as a small selection of international fare. Opposite, Upstairs Downstairs is believed to have perfected the art of Continental fare and is ideal if you’re feeling celebratory. Café Lilou has a Parisian panache, and is loved by islanders for its interior, reflecting a French bygone era, and its food, which is contemporary yet echoes the Moulin Rouge vibe. Madeleine, with its quintessentially French pastel-and-white décor, is a restaurant, patisserie and boulangerie that is noted for its lovely breakfast to start off the day. JJ’s Irish Restaurant has a fine choice of traditional Irish dishes as well as other food from across the globe. The menu at Attic, Adliya’s retro Greek venue, takes inspiration from all over Greece and serves hearty plates meant for sharing.
Coco’s is a perennial favourite, full of loyal patrons who will patiently wait for a table, any day of the week. The venue provides cosy indoor seating as well as al fresco dining, popular during cooler climes. Everything on the menu is a hit, from the fresh salads to lip-smacking main courses and to-die-for desserts. 
Florence La Maison Méditerranéene and Nicole’s Mediterranean Restaurant and Lounge are other spots known for decent European eats. For satisfying tapas and other delights from the coasts of Europe, La Vinoteca Barcelona is the place to be. Besides Continental specialities, My Café offers an all-round selection of dishes that can please the palate, no matter what you’re craving. 

Italian Eats

Well, this cuisine warrants its own separate section, there being so many options in Adliya. The iconic Oliveto is touted to be one of the very best, known to believe in the ‘less is more’ philosophy to serve authentic Italian dishes. Another celebrated venue is Café Italia, standing on a similar pedestal as the old-but-gold Cico’s. Mino’s is literally a hidden gem, known to dish out some of the best pizzas in a classic ambience. La Cucina is another family-friendly spot that provides delicious dishes at affordable prices.

Marvellous Middle-Eastern

Shawarma Alley in Adliya is dotted with grill shops that serve genuine Arabic flavours at dirt-cheap prices. Zahlawiya is the most recommended kiosk for its awesome Malghoom. Grab some kebabs or shawarmas, wash it down with fresh juice, and you’re set for the next few hours, at least. If you’re feeling fancier, head to the likes of Shoo Fee Ma Fee for yummy Lebanese fare, or if you want a few puffs of shisha, AlBindaira is a great option. For food from the land of the Pharoahs, try Altkiya for authentic Egyptian dishes. Parsian is all about Persian flair in décor and food — a must-try for all.

Mexican Magic

Adliya’s Senor Pacos is everyone’s favourite for a pitcher of chilled margarita and fresh guacamole. Original tastes of Mexico can also be found at Casa Mexicana and, in the famed Block 338, the internationally known Calexico. 

Steak Your Claim 

The Meat Co. is a three-storied structure serving the most succulent meats prepared as per your liking. This South African-style steakhouse chain offers superior cuts of beef with delicious sauces and sides. Torino Restaurant and Lounge is a newer steakhouse serving certified Angus beef and prime cuts, besides other Mediterranean options in a grunge-industrial setting. Although not an out-and-out steakhouse, The Foundry serves premium meats and other apt accompaniments that you’ll remember for a long while after your meal.

American Appeal

Blaze Burgers, Fuddruckers and Spud provide satiating burgers and quick meals, while Jan Burger is a tried and tested jewel on one of Adliya’s streets.

Other multi-cuisine restaurants in Adliya include Caesar’s (outdated, but still on the tasty list), Passion Restaurant and Café (try its Sri Lankan breakfast for a change) and Russo’s Restaurant and Lounge, for quirky cocktails and on-point service of mixed cuisine.

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