Breakfast is the real deal in Bahrain, it’s no longer the intimate meal you share with your family around a dining table before you head to work or on weekends. Today, it’s consumed in restaurants, who specialize in breakfast, specifically traditional breakfast.
The popularity of breakfast restaurants in Bahrain has been rising throughout the past few years. Ever wondered why traditional Bahraini restaurants have become such a trend among Bahrainis?
Restaurants like Emmawash, Basta, Naseef, Saffron By Jena, and Lumee Street, to name a few, have taken their spot on the top of Bahraini and expat’s lists for breakfast destinations, replacing more affordable, local options.
In fact, in a recent opinion poll by us on our on Instagram, Saffron By Jena took the spotlight as the respondents absolute favorite followed by Emmawash as the top two choices for Bahraini breakfast destinations.
So, let’s try to think through why traditional Bahraini breakfast restaurants are popular amongst the community. These places have one thing in common, a change in routine, good traditional food that’s consistent, a unique selling point, Instagram-able interior, and a tourist attraction.
- People want a change of routine. It is no surprise that people who frequent traditional breakfast places do so to bring in a change of routine to their lives. There is nothing better than going out early on a day off and to have a delicious light meal with Chai Karak amongst friends and family. For some people, breakfast needs to be a little more exciting than cereal in a bowl at home on a weekend.
- Good traditional breakfast that’s consistent. People like consistency especially branded consistency. The problem with restaurants that don’t specialize in traditional breakfast food is their inability to keep their offerings consistent, we believe. But, you walk into Saffron by Jena, and you know that you’ll get the same food you order, every single time. Consistency is important as it helps set positive expectations when anticipating doing the things we enjoy.
- Traditional food is making a comeback. Millennials are being overexposed with food options that are anything but traditional food. There are simply too many choices and sometimes, just sometimes, wanting to go back to what you’ve been brought up around, feels right. Ever felt fatigued by not being able to make a decision about where to eat over the weekend? We’ve all been there. These restaurants now offer a unique selling point. Selling nostalgia that is. Old and traditional is making a comeback and it’s good.
- Instagrammable interiors! One aspect that makes traditional breakfast restaurants appealing to their customers is what makes them Instagrammable. Many of the restaurants we have mentioned aim for a nostalgic, retro, feel to the interiors inspired by the traditional Bahraini designs. The laid back, familiar environments these restaurants bring about help people feel at home. Beyond that, they look interesting and good, and Instagrammable. As opposed to the sleek, perfectly cut marble tile, and stainless steel filled new-age restaurants.
- It’s a tourist attraction. Let’s be honest here, the old-age traditional breakfast places are not always the, how do we say this, most welcoming places around town. They can be a little too crowded, uncomfortable, or unclean(?). These new-age traditional breakfast restaurants have gone all out, with beautiful interiors, quality service, and all that, making them tourist attractions for people who want to try out traditional Bahraini food, worry-free. See Bahrain for its true colors, these breakfast restaurants give the best experience to those seeking a taste of homemade Bahraini food.
The newest addition is Omi Aloda, their unique selling point? Packed with an all Bahraini staff and cooks (go local!). Followed by Sharbet Saffron who just turned four months old and is warming its way into people’s stomachs. But we won’t be able to keep track, so go explore!
Do you like heading out early in the morning for some Balaleet and Shakshuka? We sure do! Let us know which traditional Bahraini restaurant is your favorite on our Instagram’s comments section here.