The rise of veganism around the world has not escaped the Gulf kingdom of Bahrain. While the country’s cuisine is traditionally rich in meat and seafood, a growing number of outlets are dedicating themselves to fully plant-based menus. The global vegan food market was valued at USD 27.8 billion in 2024, indicating that it’s not vegans who are driving the lifestyle but also a growing number of flexitarians who want to cut down on meat consumption due to health reasons or a growing environmental consciousness.
Most of Bahrain’s vegan-friendly and 100 per cent plant-based restaurants are situated in its capital, Manama. Here are five of them you should patronise during your visit to the kingdom.
Bahrain’s first 100 per cent plant-based restaurant was started by Saudi prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, who follows a vegan lifestyle. The interiors are minimal and have been crafted using natural materials to give a sense of calm. Take a seat around the open kitchen and watch the chefs at work, or head upstairs for a table. The menu includes everything from pancakes and smoothies to mezze and mushroom dumplings. The food is inspired by cuisines from around the world, including Indian, Thai, Italian and American fast food.
Address: Shop 84, Road 1401, Block 1014, Hamala
Based in the Almoayyed Tower, Raw Candy is a small super food chocolate dessert bar with a twist. The fully plant-based spot was founded in 2018 and serves all manner of vegan treats. It has also expanded to offer sandwiches and salads, gluten-free smoothies, cookies, and cold-pressed juices. Their vegan burrito bowl is a particular highlight as it is made of spiced Mexican quinoa rice with black bean and refried bean mix, guacamole, jalapeño salsa and chipotle mayo.
Address: Shop 2001, Building 1435 Road 4626, Manama 346
The Petiole Foods company was created to encourage people to adopt a plant-based lifestyle and act more responsibly towards the environment. They provide a wide variety of quality, natural and vegan products for shoppers and people looking to live a zero-waste lifestyle. The Petiole Café has a plentiful selection of delicious meat alternative meals, such as lamb shank (made of seitan and jackfruit) on bamboo bone, “meatballs” with bechamel and tomato sauce, and pan-fried Padrón peppers with sea salt flakes. You can enjoy them with smoothies, mocktails and iced teas.
Address: District 1, Janabiyah 973
This café serves plant-based and gluten-friendly meals and snacks such as breakfast bowls, pasta, sandwiches and brownies. Their hummus quinoa sandwich, lentil bolognese pasta and smoked tofu sandwich are particular highlights, which you can wash down with milkshakes and coffee.
Address: Moda Mall, Bahrain World Trade Center, Manama
Unicorn Noms is a Middle Eastern- and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant focused on vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Founded in Bahrain in 2020, the restaurant boasts its own bakery specialising in 100 per cent plant-based, sourdough and gluten-free products, including croissants, crêpes, waffles, cakes, cookies and a variety of sweet as well as savoury pastries. Try their “full unicorn breakfast,” which consists of tofu egg, plant-based sausage, potato rösti, baked beans, mushrooms, grilled tomato and toasted sourdough; the gluten-free balaleet; their “Arabic biryani”; and the V60, a speciality caffeine drink with notes of sweetness.
Address: Shop 7, Building 5, Road 7901 Janabiyah, 579