A blend of chic settings and delicious delights awaited Apple Sharma, as she headed to Chestnut Bakery to explore Bahrain’s hottest new eatery.

Since news of Chestnut Bakery opening in Bahrain reached my ears, I’ve been waiting eagerly to try it. This Kuwaiti-born, London-based café has made a name for itself for its award-winning croissants, which I couldn’t wait to devour (more on that later).

Located in the chic Harbour Heights complex, with enviable views overlooking the glistening blue waters, Chestnut Bakery is the ideal hotspot to see and be seen. I took a moment on the terrace, catching some rays while watching a yacht bob gently to the slow rhythm of the balmy afternoon. 

The café’s relaxed yet stylish exterior carries through inside, with a palette of white, beige and tan across the ceiling, wooden framework and comfy seating. Modern minimalist décor lends a calm ambience, with white hanging lamps, potted olive trees and shelves filled with knick-knacks – from vases and teapots to books and even a vintage-style weighing scale – giving it character. A bold abstract painting adds colour, while long horizontal mirrors with reading lamps atop cushioned sofas add a contemporary, elegant touch.

Near the entrance, a glass display of scrumptious viennoiseries immediately caught my eye, lined with sweet and savoury croissants alongside cakes, cookies and mini desserts. Beside it was the semi-open kitchen, where I could see the chefs preparing flatbreads, ready to be flung into the woodfire oven. Between the two, any attempt at restraint quickly faded and I couldn’t wait to try all that this menu had to offer!

Friendly Assistant Restaurant Manager, Jasmin, suggested starting with the flatbreads, followed by a few Chestnut Specials, rounding it off with sandwiches and croissants. It sounded like a solid plan and we didn’t need any further encouragement.

The flatbreads arrived first, sliced into sharable portions by our lovely server, Martha. Keeping things classic, we started with Catchup – margherita sauce, mozzarella fior de latte and basil. Executed to perfection, the crust had a light, fluffy edge with a thinner centre that held its crispy structure without going soggy. If I closed my eyes, it tasted exactly like a pizza, which is never a bad thing. The Zaatar Stracciatella was a first for me, and I was pleasantly surprised with this Mediterranean fusion – the creaminess of the cheese paired beautifully with the earthy, herbaceous za’atar, the tomato salsa adding a slight tanginess.

The Lahm Bil Ajin brought a more regional taste to the table. The lamb and beef mixture was soft and tender, with a hint of sweetness from the sherry balsamic reduction. Herb tahina gave it a familiar Arabic flavour, while pine nuts added a lovely texture. On the side, the jalapeño chutney quietly stole the show for me – with just the right amount of kick, it was the perfect accompaniment and ended up making its way onto the other flatbreads as well!

From there, we moved on to the Chestnut Specials. The Ricotta Zereshk looked simple, but there was more going on, and it took me a few bites to figure out all the subtle flavours at play. The generous pile of creamy feta ricotta mix, topped with thin ribbons of pickled cucumber, along with za’atar and sumac, all came together beautifully on white sourdough. But my favourite part was the garnish of dried Persian barberries (zereshk), which added a lovely burst of tartness.

The Poundcake French Toast soon followed. While not as airy as a traditional French toast, this poundcake version was just as delicious. A dense and rich piece of cake with a golden, caramelised top sat on an island of light crème anglaise, while a dollop of mixed berries coulis was exactly what was needed to cut through the richness of the dish.

Next up were the sandwiches, starting with the Pastrami Sandwich. The white sourdough was buttery and crispy and filled with a generous amount of house-made pastrami with onion sherry jam and sauerkraut. The tang from the pickled elements added a zesty sour touch, making it feel balanced rather than heavy. A nice, healthy lunch option. The Pastrami Bagel offered a slight variation on the same idea. The white sesame bagel brought a denser, chewier texture, while a house honey mustard added a lovely sweet and savoury flavour (with a hint of spiciness) that paired deliciously with the smokiness of the meat.

For something lighter, the Bresaola Manouri Pocket Pastry arrived in a small brown paper bag, a fun touch that makes it an easy on-the-go snack. The pastry was flaky on the outside with a soft, fluffy centre, while the filling was subtle but flavourful – the saltiness of the cheese and mild depth of the meat coming through without overpowering it.

By this point, it felt right to turn to what Chestnut is best known for – croissants! Spanakopita was first up. I love this popular Greek savoury pie but I’ve never had it in a croissant form before – it didn’t disappoint. The buttery pastry cocooned the classic soft spinach and feta cheese filling, keeping the essence of the original dish while adding that crisp, flaky texture that only a croissant can bring.

Then came my favourite – the Salted Caramel Pecan croissant. As soon as I cut into this twice baked croissant, the buttery layers of pastry revealed sheets smothered with salted caramel and a thick filling of chocolate in the middle. Generously topped and loaded with pecan nuts, it delivered a satisfying crunch and instantly brought a smile to my face – absolutely delicious and best enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee. A fitting end to a lovely afternoon.

Settling into Bahrain’s café scene with confidence, Chestnut Bakery offers everything a good café should – a cosy ambience, great coffee and cakes to die for (or a very good croissant, in this case)!

Visit your neighbourhood bakery at Harbour Heights, Bahrain.

GO: FOLLOW @CHESTNUT.BH ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.