The celebrated cultural dining concept Ninive opened at Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain in June, marking the first time the acclaimed concept has been brought to the Kingdom.
Founded by Paris Society, Ninive is more than a restaurant. It is a refined gathering place that brings the heritage of the Middle East and North Africa to life.
Its name references Nineveh, one of the great cities of the ancient world, where cuneiform script was born, and where the first libraries held the first stories ever told. Some believe the legendary Hanging Gardens bloomed not in Babylon, but there. That origin is not decoration; it is the soul of the brand.
Rizwan Kassim, CEO of Paris Society, said: “Ninive is a contemporary majlis – a space where the heritage of the Middle East and North Africa is not left in the past but lived, shared, and celebrated. Bahrain has practiced the art of gathering for generations. The majlis is not a concept here, it is a way of life, and that is exactly the community this was built for. Raffles Al Areen Palace gave us everything we needed: a palace garden, the start of the indoor season when the city’s social life finds its full rhythm, and a community that has always known what genuine hospitality looks like. Bahrain holds a prominent position in this region, and we felt a real responsibility to honour that. This opening is our answer.”
For Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, the arrival of Ninive represents an important milestone in the property’s culinary evolution and its continued commitment to delivering exceptional lifestyle and dining experiences within the Kingdom.
Yazan Latif, General Manager of Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ninive to Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain and to begin this exciting new chapter for the property. As a brand deeply rooted in culture, storytelling, and meaningful connections, Ninive complements our vision of creating extraordinary experiences for our guests and the local community. This partnership brings together two hospitality brands that share a commitment to authenticity, excellence, and the art of gathering. We look forward to seeing Ninive become an integral part of Bahrain’s vibrant social and culinary landscape.”
Ninive describes itself as a hanging garden between two worlds: the ancient and the contemporary, the storied and the alive. Conceived as a contemporary majlis, it is a space designed around gathering, where conversation, hospitality, and the rhythm of the evening take precedence over formality.
The design by Pirajean Lees draws from Mesopotamian mythology and Bedouin architecture, combining time-worn wood, antique brass, Zellige tiles, handcrafted detailing, and cuneiform-inspired motifs.
The Table
The kitchen presents an entirely à la carte menu drawing on the culinary traditions of the Middle East, the Levant and North Africa, reviving and reinterpreting dishes central to the Arab kitchen.
Signature dishes include Tashreeb with braised lamb shoulder, Iraqi spices, chickpeas, honey and bread; Couscous Royal with semolina, vegetables, chicken, merguez and lamb; and the Mixed Grill Platter featuring lamb chops, Wagyu tenderloin, Adana kebab, king prawn skewer and saffron rice.
Custom tableware, created by skilled potters specifically for the venue, carries the same intentionality as every other element of the room.
The beverage programme draws from the sensory richness of the Arabic souq incorporating saffron, tamarind, dried lime, rose, dates, and cardamom woven across a cocktail list that includes 1001 Nights, Age of Babylon, Tamarind Sour, and Gold Rush.
At The End Of The Garden, The Evening Begins
What distinguishes Ninive Bahrain is not only the restaurant itself, but the setting in which it unfolds.
Ninive Bahrain reveals itself gradually. Guests move through the gardens of Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain before arriving into a room shaped by warm lighting, layered music, open conversation, and the energy of a gathering already in motion. The contrast between the calm of the palace and the atmosphere of the majlis forms a defining part of the experience.
More than a dining room, Ninive Bahrain has been conceived as an evening destination, one where hospitality, music, atmosphere, and dining exist as part of the same continuous experience.
The Bahrain Chapter
Bahrain has always understood the art of gathering. It is a society where hospitality is not an occasion; it is a way of being. Where evenings are long by design, where the table is an extension of the home, where culture and conviviality have never been separated. Ninive was not brought to Bahrain because it fits the market. It arrived because it belongs to the culture.
The majlis, that ancient, living institution at the heart of Arab social life, is not a concept Bahrain needs explained. It is something Bahrain has always practised. In opening here, Ninive finds a city that already knows what it is: a place to come not merely to eat, but to be present, to connect, to let the evening unfold.
This is not a restaurant you go to. It is a room you gather in. The difference is felt the moment you arrive.
An Established Vision
Ninive’s arrival in Bahrain follows a decade of building one of the region’s most recognised dining identities. The original venue at Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai, which opened in 2017, holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand (2022 & 2023), the BBC Good Food Award for Best Middle Eastern Restaurant (2020 & 2022), Gault & Millau recognition, and a listing in the Esquire Gulf 50 Best Restaurants. Ninive Bab Al Shams followed in December 2023 as a seasonal desert expression, and Ninive Beach at J1 Beach opened in December 2024 as Dubai’s first Arabic-inspired beach club. Bahrain is the fourth expression – and its own story.
Ninive is open from 5pm to 11pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday and from 5pm to midnight on Thursday and Friday when guests can enjoy live entertainment. The venue is closed on Monday. Reservations are advised.
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