Pack your bags and join Apple Sharma on a one-of-a-kind Italian culinary journey to EATALY in Marassi Galleria mall – where you eat, shop and learn – all under one roof!

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy Italian cuisine, and Bahrain has no shortage of excellent Italian restaurants. But if there’s one global name that captures the true taste of Italy, it’s EATALY. With more than 40 locations across Italy and around the world, it’s no surprise the brand has landed in the Kingdom with the same three-pronged promise: eat, shop and learn, all in one place.

Let’s talk about the food first! Standing for ‘Eating Italian’ (a fusion of Eat and Italy), the concept feels right at home at the classy Marassi Galleria mall. We sauntered in for an early lunch, just before midday, which conveniently meant we could try the breakfast dishes too. EATALY’s rotating seasonal menus (the summer menu is currently in play) sit alongside its core breakfast and main offerings, and we made it our mission to sample a bit of everything, starting with a beautiful charcuterie and cheese board.

Classic Italian Appetisers

The bresaola arrived as a study in quiet confidence – paper-thin slices of dry-cured beef that spoke directly to the Italian tradition they came from, deeply savoury with a balance of spice and richness that unfolded gradually. The salami, by contrast, made no apologies for its intensity: rich, meaty, with a smoky depth that lingered long after the last bite.

The cheese board was equally impressive. The 18-month-old pecorino was rich and nutty, but it was the pecorino with truffle that won me over – superbly savoury, with a bold, luxurious flavour I’m still thinking about. Both sheep’s milk cheeses sat in lovely contrast to the cow’s milk cheese, Provolone Dolce, soft, buttery and slightly sweet. All accompanied with warm, freshly baked sourdough, perfect for dunking in Italian extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I could happily eat this spread every single day.

Throughout the meal, we were looked after by Ali and Umer – courteous, friendly and clearly knowledgeable. Umer walked us through every dish and had all the answers, whether it was about ingredients or preparation. 

Experiencing EATALY’s Breakfast Menu

From the breakfast menu, the Avena al Caffè – espresso overnight oats topped with chocolate-coated coffee beans and a toasted cinnamon oat crunch – is a coffee lover’s delight. As a coffee addict, I loved it, though it might be a tad strong for those who prefer their mornings gentler.

Next came the Gratinata alla Diavola – spicy baked eggs. The kitchen’s ‘nduja – a fiery, yielding paste of minced sausage, smoked paprika and sun-dried tomato – was the star here. Spooned over organic, locally sourced baked eggs in vibrant tomato sauce, it turned a seemingly modest breakfast plate into something far more arresting. The yolk, still trembling at its centre, broke softly into the sauce and onto a shard of crisp bread, bringing the whole dish together beautifully.

For those after something more classical, the Gratinata al Pomodoro – baked egg in tomato sauce – makes an equally compelling case. The sauce was bright and savoury, the eggs cooked with care, but it was the herby, verdant basil pesto that lifted the plate from satisfying to exceptional, cutting through the tomatoey richness with the assurance of an honest house-made preparation.

We also tried the Pizza Tasca Feta e Uova, a Mediterranean pizza pocket filled with egg and crumbled feta. The perfect breakfast dish – simple, fresh, delicious – with the fried egg playing beautifully against the saltiness of the feta and the freshness of cucumber and tomato.

The Ambience

Before the summer menu arrived, we took a moment to look around, and it struck us how well the Italian flavours echoed the décor. The large, tastefully designed space houses the dining room alongside a retail and culinary school area (more on that later). Out front, counters tempt with gelato, pastries, coffee and pizza from a woodfire oven, leading through glass-partitioned kitchens to the dining room at the back.

Terrazzo flooring, cognac-coloured leather banquettes, dark wood tables with woven-backed chairs, a coffered ceiling and globe pendant lights give it the feel of a contemporary Italian café-trattoria. A feature wall of colourful plates and travel-poster prints celebrates Italian culture, while lush greenery and lively music put you at ease. The bright interior opens onto a terrace overlooking the waterfront and beach – and the Gelato Cart, serving mall passersby (also available for events), is a charming touch.

The Delectable Summer Menu

Onto the summer menu, which opened with a trio of appetisers. The Bruschetta con Burrata – toasted sourdough topped with marinated tomatoes, creamy burrata and fresh basil – was simple and light, pure Mediterranean freshness on a plate.

The Arancini alla Nerano were golden and crisp outside, giving way to a soft, slightly zingy centre of lemon risotto with courgette, served over a vibrant, herbaceous zucchini sauce that tied the dish together. And the Parmigiana di Melanzane, layers of tender eggplant with tomato sauce, fior di latte cheese and basil oil, was a classic done right – comforting and genuinely delicious.

The pasta and pizza section is where things got serious. The Trofie Pesto al Tavolo arrived with Umer making sure it was perfectly al dente, just as I like it (something very few places in Bahrain get right). The pesto itself was one of the best I’ve had in a long time – the basil bright and fresh, the pine nuts adding a nutty depth front and centre.

The Risotto Mediterraneo, bright yellow and loaded with colourful Mediterranean vegetables, was summer on a plate. Creamy, indulgent and silky, with crispy fried onions on top for crunch, it didn’t warrant much attention at first glance but stole the show after the first forkful. Everyone went back for seconds, then thirds, and it vanished from the table in minutes. Both the pasta and the risotto were, for me, the dishes of the day.

On the side, the Broccolini alla Griglia – Josper-grilled, topped with roasted almonds and lemon zest – was cooked just right, slightly charred with a satisfying crunch and gentle nuttiness.

Desserts Worth Lingering For

Dessert, naturally, was never in doubt. The Cheesecake al Forno reminded me of a San Sebastian cheesecake gone Italian – that same silky, melt-in-the-mouth caramelised top, but with a crispy almond crumble base instead of the usual biscuit one. A small departure from tradition, but a delicious one. No Italian dessert experience is complete without the quintessential classic Tiramisu and for a non-alcoholic version, the Verrina Tiramisù is one of the best I’ve tried. The homemade mascarpone was flawlessly creamy, the savoiardi perfectly soaked and the bitter cocoa did it full justice.

EATALY also houses a curated retail market stocked with authentic Italian products, ingredients and gift hampers, while La Scuola di EATALY offers cooking classes for kids, adults and corporate groups, with a certificate from Head Chef Antonio on completion. For something more bespoke, the restaurant also caters private and corporate events.

EATALY surpassed every expectation I walked in with – the authentic food, the warm service, the spectacular retail experience.  It was, in every sense, an EATALY-an experience, and I’ll be back for more. Grazie mille!

GO: CALL 3353 5532 OR FOLLOW @EATALYARABIA ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.