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Friday mornings have always been a special time for my family. We would all sit together and feast on my mama’s delicious hummus, pancakes, eggs, mezza and, of course, it’s accompanied by a big pot of tea.
Let’s just say, we took our breakfast seriously and that’s because my tata (grandmother) always said that the best way to start the day is with a hearty meal.
One Bahraini entrepreneur must have grown up with the same ideology because he brought breakfast back in a big way in 2011 with his yummy Chai Café which serves up tasty and traditional Bahraini favourites that only mama could make.
The bashful owner, who asked to remain anonymous, originally started selling dellas (flasks) of tea locally known as Karak, to different offices for a monthly fee. Due to its popularity, the concept evolved into a café serving authentic traditional fare.
Named after a symbol of hospitality, Chai, which means tea, was born and it is the star at this cosy café located in Sanabis, right across from Bahrain Mall.
A team of 13, led by café manager TJ, ensures that customers always have a hot Karak or cold beverage, such as Bahriani favourite Vimto, in their hands. According to TJ, he just wants to make sure everyone feels at home.
He said: “Our aim is to make sure diners get the best experience while tasting great quality traditional Bahraini food and refreshments.”
There are at least four different types of the Karak including rainbow gold milk, low fat, cholesterol free or a saffron-flavoured VIP drink served in either a glass or hand-painted ceramic cup. And, while many cafes in the kingdom may have karak, none have it poured in an itty-bitty biscuit, like Chai Café does.
TJ added: “The Karak biscuit was inspired by the owner during a trip to Italy and it’s a favourite now. We are busiest in the morning for our breakfasts but we also have dinner and soon we will be open straight from 7am until 10pm for late diners and tea drinkers.”
The two-storey venue also offers homemade sandwiches, pastries alongside breakfast-style tomato and egg and stick-to-your-ribs harees - a Middle Eastern dish of boiled, cracked, or coarsely-ground wheat with meat or chicken.
The café, which can seat around 60, boasts an authentic Bahraini décor with its wooden benches, fluffy cushions and backgammon and domino coffee tables.
The walls are covered with Delmon seals, pottery, lanterns, baskets and small doors. There is a khoubz (bread) making section with two hard-working bakers creating delicious flat breads and pastry variations in a clay oven just like in the old days.
My top tip is the cheese and honey pastry, which GulfWeekly’s film columnist Kristian Harrison and my husband, Sam, devoured. I also enjoyed the cheese and za’atar pastry which reminded me of a visit to Jordan.
Brit Kristian, who is a regular cereal eater, was in for a treat when he sampled the authentic Chai breakfast package including chick peas, fried potatoes, thick cream, shredded cheese, olives, cucumbers, tomato eggs and bread. Sam tucked into a home-made bagel with eggs and cream cheese. We also ordered a popular Bahraini dish called balaleet which is sweet vermicelli noodles with egg omelette.
We topped off the meal with karak, lemon mint juice and a banana strawberry smoothie. Everything was delicious to the last bite and not one crumb was left.
It’s no wonder the café has been growing in popularity and there are current talks to franchise the concept to other nations.
Chai Café is open from 7am until 1pm and 4pm until 10pm from Saturday to Thursday. On Friday it’s open from 7am until 11am and 4pm until 11pm.
For further details, visit www.chai-cafe.com or follow them on Instagram @chaibahrain.
