A rich Mediterranean cuisine, replete with the freshest of produce, the most satiating flavours, heavenly aromas and riots of colour – you guessed right, we’re talking Italian! Walking Italy’s cobbled streets while savouring authentic delicacies passed down through generations is a life experience one must not miss, but when you’re a part of Bahrain’s vibrant dining scene, the restaurants serving Italian treats come a close second.
Here’s a roundup of some of the best Italian eateries and pizzerias around town.
INTERCONTINENTAL REGENCY Bahrain
This landmark city-central property has been satiating guests’ tastebuds at Medzo for a long while, and so that diners don’t miss the taste of five-star level Italian treats, Medzo brings you true Italian tastes to feast on at home.
Location: Manama
Signature Best sellers
Guests most enjoy the Wagyu Rigatoni Alla Bolognese; a beef ragu with wagyu beef slow-cooked for 12 hours in a rich tomato sauce, basil and parmesan. The tenderness of the wagyu and al dente feel from the rigatoni lend the dish an enjoyable combination of textures. The Medzo Fantasia Pizza is all about Buffalo mozzarella, Taleggio, mushroom, truffle paste, shrimp and asparagus. This chef’s creation comprises well-harmonised flavours from each of the ingredients - a creamy taste from the mozzarella and taleggio, a hint of truffle scent, a delicate and sweet flavour from shrimp and a touch of an earthy flavour from asparagus.
Call 17 227-777.
MÖVENPICK HOTEL BAHRAIN
Although this renowned property does not have a dedicated Italian restaurant, the takeaway menu offers delicious Italian fare made under the expert eye of the hotel’s Italian executive chef, Domenico Cicchetti.
Location: Muharraq
Signature Best sellers
Tuna Carpaccio is a favourite of many, with its thin-sliced fresh tuna on a bed of rocket salad, capper berry, lime segments, green olives, orange zest, cherry tomato, white balsamic reduction with vanilla and juniper. This dish is delicious over lunch or dinner; a wonderfully simple, light meal that will leave you with a smile on your face.
Call 17 460-000.
SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SEA & SPA
Sofitel, the name synonymous with French luxury and Arabic hospitality, has a specially-curated takeaway menu that features some of the best dishes from its Italian restaurant Fiamma’s repertoire.
Location: Zallaq
Signature Best sellers
For a pizza that is exotic, choose the Ortolana, topped with zucchini, eggplant, radicchio, grilled onions, cherry tomatoes, arugula and extra virgin olive oil. For something with meat in it, the Quattro Stragioni, with artichoke, turkey ham, black olives and mozzarella, is an ideal choice. Seeking something truly unique? choose an option from the Pizzoli (Sicilian pizza) category to savour double-layered, parmesan encrusted pizzas.
Call 38 885-789.
ART ROTANA
Italian eatery Rosso has always been a go-to for discerning guests of ART Rotana. The outlet now offers a takeaway menu that has a sumptuous selection of authentic Italian dishes prepared by Italian chef, Enrico. All pastas and pizzas at Rosso are made with specially imported Italian flour varieties.
Location: Amwaj Islands
Signature Best sellers
Linguine ai frutti di mare will take you to Sicily, with its flavours of the sea. The sauce is freshly made at the time of order, paired with prawns, calamari, mussels, garlic, cherry tomatoes and parsley and finished with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil as per true Italian tradition. Pizza Alla Bresaola comprises a tomato sauce made with 100-per-cent Italian tomatoes. All other ingredients, like the fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella, Bresaola (aged dried beef), rucola and Parmigiano Reggiano 24 mesi (parmesan cheese aged for 24 months) come from Italy.
Call 33 580-044.
CUCINA ITALIANA
This well-known eatery opened in 2011 with a consistent passion for the Italian lifestyle. It takes great pride in delivering the highest quality dishes prepared with only the freshest and finest hand-picked ingredients, maintaining traditional Italian cooking techniques.
Location: Juffair
Signature Best sellers
Filetto Di Branzino Con Risotto Di Spinaci is a pan fried fillet of sea bass served on a bed of spinach risotto with sundried tomato pesto, a savoury experience not to be missed. And Angello Arrostito Con La Salsa Di Brown is a charcoal-grilled lamb rack glazed with a rich brown gravy sauce, baby potatoes and green beens wrapped with beef bacon.
Call 17 001-317.
CROWN PIZZA
Satiating Italian cravings outside downtown Manama is Crown Pizza, popular amongst residents of Samaheej, Hidd and Arad.
Location: Hidd
Signature Best sellers
The Spicy Chicken Ranch pizza is a crowd pleaser, offering tender chicken, mushroom, tomatoes , fresh garlic, jalapeno pepper and ranch sauce drizzled atop a tasty dough. The most ordered combo deal is the Family Feast, that gives customers the choice of two medium-sized pizzas, a salad, chicken wings, potato wedges and a large soft drink bottle.
Call 17 673-736.
FRANCESCO’S PIZZA CAFÉ
The ‘legend of Francesco’ says that Francesco does not cook his pizzas; he merely serenades them to perfection. This restaurant offers diners a bite of Napoli and New York, and this happy fusion has brought customers back for more. The fusion also plays up between art and science, thereby presenting the perfectly mouth-watering pizza crust time and again.
Location: Juffair and Wadi Al Sail Mall
Signature Best sellers
The Brooklyn Pie Pizza is the perfect combination of meaty and cheesy, made with a garlic-infused tomato base, mozzarella, beef pepperoni, Italian beef sausage, ricotta cheese, topped off with oregano. For a local twist, the Date Palm Pizza is a unique offering made with an olive oil base, mozzarella, dates, rosemary, gorgonzola cheese, bresaola, and a sweet balsamic glaze drizzled after-bake. The Classic Pepperoni Pizza - simple and delicious - is a crowd pleaser, while Garlic Knots served with your choice of marinara sauce or creamy gorgonzola ranch on the side are an ideal appetiser.
Call 17 827-827.
FLORENCE
This restaurant not only paints a pretty picture on a bustling Adliya lane, it also offers a wide variety of dishes rich in flavours and cooked to perfection with the freshest ingredients. The Italian dishes on the menu are much sought-after.
Location: located on Adliya’s main street opposite the Terminal.
Signature Best sellers
Diners will find a great variety of Italian dishes. Besides the outlet’s popular thin-crust pizzas, guest favourites are Seafood Risotto, as well as the Spinach-Ricotta Cheese Stuffed Ravioli that comes with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and walnuts in rose sauce.
Call 17 336-373.
NINO
This restaurant has been a favourite with crowds flocking to its outlets for its extensive, flavour-packed menu that has something for everybody. Besides the usual farinaceous fare, it offers preparations to suit various palates, where the chefs work hard to bring you genuine Italian flavours.
Location: Seef and Riffa
Signature Best sellers
Con Polo is not your regular pizza, but goes the extra mile with confit chicken and fontina cheese and basil pesto. Besides Skillet Lasagna Classica and Farfelle Al Forno, the Melanzane; roasted half aubergine with fresh basil pesto topped with mozzarella and cherry tomato is a top favourite. Don’t miss their sinful desserts, like Red Velvet Cheese Cake and Caramel Macchiato Tiramisu.
Call 17 566-555.
URBAN SLICE PIZZA
Urban Slice is a New York-style pizzeria offering a wide range of hand tossed pizzas, famous for it’s signature range that is based on flavourful homemade sauces. This two-chain restaurant is known as the Home of Bahrain’s largest pizza, with the XXXL size being a gigantic 20-inch pizza pie. Their pizzas are so huge and filling, customers can also order by the slice.
Location: Juffair and Riffa
Signature Best sellers
From the eight signature pizza varieties, the all-time favourite is The All American Cheese Burger Pizza – adorned with ground beef, pickles, tomatoes, onions and a secret All-American sauce.
Call Juffair 17 292-971, Riffa 17 262-671 or Muharraq 17 554-471
CICO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
This restaurant goes way back, opened in 1978 to serve the island’s residents a blend of northern and southern Italian cuisine, each of the dishes superlative in both taste and texture. The restaurant has an established reputation for offering consistency of service and delectable fare prepared from the freshest produce.
Location: Adliya
Signature Best sellers
Guests particularly enjoy the Cernia Alla Griglia, a roasted fresh hammour fillet with lemon, garlic and parsley sauce, as well as the Cotoletta Alla Milanese, which is pan-cooked, breaded Dutchville (beef) served with spaghetti. The Scaloppine Al Limone, which is veal with white grape, lemon and parsley, is also a signature creation.
Call 17 713-710.
FATTO PIZZERIA & TRATTORIA
This pizzeria and trattoria, designed to resemble a restored old Italian flour factory, offers diners a modern take on classic Italian dishes. The menu sports unique dishes created with authentic Italian flavours in mind.
Location: Seef
Signature Best sellers
If you fancy an Italian breakfast to start your day with, go for the Toast Francese Alla Nutella, which simply translates to Nutella-stuffed French toast with raspberry and vanilla ice cream, coated in caramelised hazelnuts and toffee sauce. Lunch and dinner can be leisurely affairs with the evergreen Margherita Pizza, made with San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, or if pasta is your pick, then Penne Al Forno, baked with its pink sauce, chicken, mushroom, mozzarella and oregano is a firm favourite.
Call 66 778-822.
OLIVETO
The eatery prides itself on being a unique, fine-dining Italian restaurant with authentic and delicious dishes to satisfy all palates. The Oliveto experience enhances your five senses with a passionate and diversified approach to cuisine from the old country.
Location: Adliya
Signature Best sellers
Oliveto’s Vongole Pasta shows diners Venetian dreams in Bahrain; handmade spaghetti with sautéed fresh clams and extra virgin olive oil, taking you to Italy, one spoon at a time. The
Fritto Di Calamari E Gamberi is another island favourite, bursting with flavour and crunch. Fried fresh calamari and shrimp with lemon and tartar sauce never fails to please. To finish your meal, the Lava Cake oozes with the goodness of cacao and a light ice-cream for a fine balance of flavours.
Call 17 716-747.