The chic neighbourhood of Saar, located towards the west of the capital, is a great place to visit for all your needs.
Over the past few years, Saar has seen an incredible boost in infrastructure, with the introduction of malls, restaurants, grocery stores, fitness facilities and more – almost anything you need is within reach.
The new El Mercado Janabiya is conveniently situated near the highway exit to Janabiya, and can make for a good day out with its plethora of restaurants and shops. Choose from Choox Chicken Coop, Baguettes and More (BAM) for sandwiches, Frutto Gelato to beat the heat with a cold ice pop, Top and Dip for waffles and churros, NKD Pizza for some baked goodness and Joe Mama’s for gourmet fast food, among many others. The bright and spacious Alosra fulfils all your daily grocery and essential needs and there are salons, a pharmacy and more.
Just a short walk away is the Atrium, still under construction and set to open in the near future with a host of shops and Lulu Hypermarket.
Drive a couple of kilometres down the road and you reach Saar, proper which has the bustling St Christopher’s junior school and Nakheel Centre bang opposite the building. The complex features a smaller Alosra, restaurants and cafés, such as Starbucks, Baskin Robbins, Esquires Coffee and Chez Sushi. Unleash the child within by paying a visit to Craftzania or testing your intelligence at the Escape Code. Other establishments, including Dr Muna Alkuwari Dental Center, Cycology for fitness, Bubbles Nail Spa for much needed pampering, Alia Flowers and many more kids’ boutiques, can also be found here and Derma One NK Med Spa infuses technology with technique to deliver superior beauty treatments.
Just a few metres away is Saar Mall, a busy place frequented by residents for its shopping and dining venues. Fast food joints, such as Papa John’s, Yum Yum Tree, EZ Burger and Natural Bites can be found at the food court, whilst separate standalones Jasmi’s, Lumee Saar Kitchen and Starbucks offer a more intimate, relaxed setting. Track and Field Sports, Ehsan Optics, Skechers and Peek-A-Boo Kids along with several telecom branches, banks, a laundry and car rental are peppered across the mall.
Macromart is a superstore selling essentials and electronics under one roof, and can be found on the drive towards Budaiya.
Whether you are looking to get fit or delving into a new hobby, Saar has a multitude of options for you. Get a taste for football at Juventus Academy Bahrain or Bahrain Rugby Football Club. The Rugby Club also offers memberships and a space for expatriates to meet and participate in one of the many organised activities. The Bahrain Tennis Academy, Bin Jamal Taekwondo and Life-Fit gym in Janabiya are all perfect avenues for personal training, martial arts and high-intensity sports.
The Dilmun Club is a family-oriented social club with several amenities including a pool, restaurant and bar. Fun activities take place throughout the week.
Long gone are the days when one had to venture out of the Saar area and drive into town for a good meal. Plenty of great eateries have mushroomed opposite Saar Cinema, and the complex only gets bigger with new restaurants being added every few months. Try shisha in all flavours at Mido Du, Arabella, M Café and Outlet by Chez. The famed Villa Mama’s serves homemade Bahraini delights and L’Avenue bursts with cool Italian and international vibes. Crust Crema has a cult following of coffee lovers who swear by its in-house roasted beans, while Hopscotch is enjoying fame for its innovative cuisine and inviting décor. And a couple of independently owned spas and salons also exist within the complex.
