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With a yoga and Pilates
studio, a fine-dining
restaurant, an open-air
amphitheatre and a
spa within the complex,
exploring here can easily
be a day-long affair.Arabesque Art Gallery.
Widely recognised as the
main outlet for antique
Middle Eastern art, this
long-standing gallery
exhibits the oil and
watercolour paintings
of its owner, Wahab Al
Koheji, as he depicts
everyday life in Bahrain.
An added bonus is its
great selection of 19thcentury lithographs
created by David Robert
during his long tours of
the region.Al Al-Jasra Handicraft
Centre. From brightly-
coloured woven baskets,
tapestry and mats to
exquisitely painted
stained glass mosaics
and pottery, learn
more about the city’s
indigenous art forms as
you watch local artisans
perfect their crafts. Love
what you see? Craftworks
can be bought directly
from their maker or from
the on-site gift shop.Discover the city’s
artistic flairLa Fontaine Centre
of Contemporary
Art. Capturing the
grand essence of a
European château
while maintaining the
charm of authentic Gulf
Islamic architecture, this
150-year-old creative hub
blends the distinctive
work of traditional
artistry with innovative
contemporary delights.DOWN TO
A FINE ART
Shop 'til you drop
Bring home these cultural gems
Slip on your comfiest shoes and pound the cobblestone
alleyways of a market that still evokes the ambience of
ancient times, Manama Souq. Here, you’ll find quaint
little souvenir shops that display local goodies, from
exotic Persian rugs to spices and shisha pipes. But you
can’t really visit the Pearl of the Gulf without checking
out Gold City, a pearl-lover’s paradise overflowing with
precious gemstones of all shapes, sizes and colours.
A simple custom-made gold pendant of your name in
Arabic is a must-take-home keepsake. Haggle your way
until you reach Kingdom of Perfumes and watch the
mesmerising way a perfumer can mix seemingly random
oils to produce the very aroma you requested.spice it up
Savour the true flavours
of the cityEMMAWASH. This eclectic
bistro first began as the
dream of two childhood
friends who wanted to
bring the flavours of their
homes to the restaurant
scene. Today, it's one of the
most beloved eateries in
the kingdom for its homely
ambience. Tuck into
Bahraini favourites such
as balaleet – a traditional
sweet and savoury dish –
and beef tikka. For those
who wish to end their meal
on a sweet note, qayamat is
the dish to plump for.
CHAI CAFÉ. Chai, meaning
tea in Arabic, has been a
breakfast staple in Bahraini
culture for years. And
when you can get your
sweet and milky karak Chai
in an edible biscuit cup,
visiting this cosy café in the
morning is a no-brainer.
SAFFRON BY JENA.
Playing testament to the
unique flavours of authentic
Bahraini cuisine, this
family-friendly restaurant
combines the old with
the new to bring you a
contemporary twist on
culinary traditions passed
down the generations. You
won’t find a menu, but a
bunch of tasty, traditional
dishes served in customary
Bahraini fashion.