Aloo Basheer is a tiny street food stall in Manama Souq, Bahrain, a few metres from Bab Al Bahrain and squeezed between a perfume shop and a clothes shop. The stall occupies roughly six square metres and has reportedly been serving for more than 60 years, making it one of the longest-running snack counters in the old commercial centre of the capital. It is a takeaway window rather than a restaurant: there is no seating, no menu board of any size and no table service.
The cooking draws on Pakistani and Indian street food, and the best-known item is the aloo, or potato, from which the stall takes its name. Fried potatoes are served in toasted bread, a hot, filling snack that has become the stall's emblem among regular souq visitors. The spicy samosa is the other staple, and the counter also sells chickpeas, known locally as nakhaj, and kebab. Everything is cooked in small batches and handed over in paper, so food is usually eaten standing in the lane or carried along while browsing the souq.
The atmosphere is that of a busy market window: queues form around lunchtime and in the evening, conversation is in Arabic, Urdu and Hindi, and the soundtrack is the general noise of the souq. There is no dress code, though modest clothing suits the setting. No beverage programme exists beyond what neighbouring stalls sell, and the stall does not serve alcohol.
Reservations are neither possible nor necessary. Opening hours are not published, so visitors should expect daytime and evening service and check at the order window. Prices are very low, generally under BHD 1.5 for a snack, which makes it easy to try several items. Because the stall is cash-only in practice, small dinar notes and coins are useful. It pairs naturally with a visit to Haji's Cafe and the spice and gold lanes of Manama Souq.
| Price | Under BHD 1.5 (~$4) per person (approximate; small snacks) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Opening hours not published; daytime and evening, check at the order window |
| Reservations | Walk-in order window only; no seating or booking. |
| Address | Manama Souq, a few metres from Bab Al Bahrain between a perfume shop and a clothes shop, Manama, Bahrain |
Signature dishes
- Spicy samosa
- Fried potatoes in toasted bread
- Chickpeas (nakhaj) and kebab
Good to know
- Known for
- Six-square-metre souq stall serving for more than 60 years
Location
Manama Souq, a few metres from Bab Al Bahrain between a perfume shop and a clothes shop, Manama, Bahrain
26.2313, 50.5767 View on map
Highlights
- Fried potatoes in toasted bread, the stall's signature snack
- Spicy samosa made in small batches
- Chickpeas (nakhaj) and kebab from a six-square-metre stall
- More than 60 years of trading beside Bab Al Bahrain
Tips for visiting
- Expect a short queue at lunchtime and early evening; go mid-afternoon for a quicker order.
- Carry small cash, as the stall is a simple order window.
- There is no seating, so plan to eat while walking or standing nearby.
- Order the potatoes in toasted bread first, then add a samosa.
- Ask for spice level when ordering if sensitive to chilli.
When to visit
Mid-afternoon or early evening, when snacks are fresh and queues are shorter than at midday.
Accessibility
The stall is a street-level order window in the pedestrian lanes of Manama Souq, so there are no steps to the counter itself, but the lanes are crowded and surfaces can be uneven. There is no seating.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Aloo Basheer?
It is a small stall in Manama Souq, a few metres from Bab Al Bahrain, between a perfume shop and a clothes shop.
What should visitors order?
The fried potatoes in toasted bread and the spicy samosa are the best-known items. Chickpeas and kebab are also sold.
Is there seating?
No. The stall is a walk-up order window, so food is eaten standing or on the move.
How much does it cost?
Snacks are inexpensive, usually under BHD 1.5 per person.