Our Top Picks: Sushi Specials
Take away sushi just isn't our thing, and it shouldn't be yours either! The island has a hip and happening sushi scene that is so much better when you can indulge the rest of your senses too! We've rounded up some of the island's best restaurants to visit when on the hunt for a taste of the far east.
Whether you feel like going all-out on the cultural front or settling for a combination of western seating and sushi dining, Bahrain has a number of seriously good eateries to indulge your sushi craving! Keep on reading to find out our top picks.
Mirai
If we had to choose the most popular Japanese restaurant in Bahrain we'd be very hard pressed indeed, but this small eatery in Adliya may just edge out the culinary competition. A large number of regulars are here in force several nights a week to cash in on the new wave Japanese contemporary cuisine. If you haven't been before you wouldn't be far off if you envisioned a Nobu-esque atmosphere and food options, but with none of the stuffiness that can typically be found in similarly swanky establishments. As to the menu, it's impressive to say the very least; a number of mouthwatering fusion dishes hit the spot between authentic Japanese and international tastebuds, and the food presentation is edible art. Our favourite spot is the low-seating tatami tables or the sushi bar for maximum cultural saturation.
Make a reservation at Mirai
Kei
The Kei is a small bastion of the Bahrain fine-dining scene, having quietly been serving authentic Japanese to diners for over three decades. This place definitely follows the rule that the best Japanese restaurants take up the most tiniest of spaces, and it's easy to get a Tokyo vibe from the petit size of the main dining area and wardrobe sized private dining rooms. This is the spot where Bahrain's Japanese population hit up when they want a taste of the motherland, so brush up on your Japanese and get ready for some seriously good chow. In the thirty years that the Kei has been serving chow it has accumulated a long line of special mentions and foodie awards, the most recent of which was Best Japanese Restaurant in the 2014 Time Out Restaurant Awards.
Make a reservation at The Kei
Sato
It's easy to see why Sato is potentially the Gulf Hotel's most popular restaurant; low wooden ceilings, bamboo screens, soft lighting and silk Kimono clad staff make for an authentically Asian atmosphere. Sato combines Thai, Chinese and Japanese cuisines with a menu packed full of Far Eastern flavors, served in a grandiose setting! For a double whammie of amazing Asian food and a good dose of romance, this eatery is a just waiting to whisk you away on a unique foodie adventure set in a little slice of zen heaven. Not sure where to sit? We'd suggest checking out one of the teppanyaki rooms if you're with a group, or if it's just a couple of you then the robatayaki grill area or sushi bar will fit the bill nicely.
Make a reservation at Sato
Monsoon
This medley of Pan Asian cuisines is a regular haunt of ours. The food is exotic and consistently delicious, the architecture has a fantastically authentic Balinese palace vibe and the service has never let us down before. Don't forget to explore your seating options when you arrive, of which there are many! When the weather is good we love to grab a table away from the hustle and bustle at the outdoor outside patio, which features a ornate pond and some great pagodas. The food is all about fresh, zingy flavours combining with fragrant textures and tastes.
Make a reservation at Monsoon
Ruka
A recent addition to Bahrain's dining scene, Ruka is perched on the 24th floor at the Ramee Grand Hotel in the Seef area. Trendy decor that's not overtly Asian combines with soft lighting and some unique views of Bahrain. The menu has something for everyone, including some delicious sounding sushi and maki rolls, robata seafood, meat, poultry and vegetables, plus plenty of appetisers such as soups, salads and various tempura offerings. Our personal favourite? The deconstructed yuzu tart! This revelatory experience of chocolate, lemon curd, orange segments and soya milk ice cream changed our world view.