SUSHISAMBA Bahrain

SUSHISAMBA Bahrain is the Bahrain outpost of the international SUSHISAMBA brand, located at the Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour, Building 1378, Road 4625, in Manama, Bahrain. The brand is built on Nikkei cooking, the fusion of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian traditions, and the Bahrain restaurant follows that concept with a menu that crosses all three. It is a group-operated venue rather than a single-chef restaurant, so there is no Michelin context, and the identity comes from the brand's colourful, high-energy style.

The signature dishes are the samba rolls, creative maki that blend raw fish with tropical and Latin flavours, and the robata grill, where meats, seafood and vegetables are cooked over charcoal and served in small portions. The menu also includes ceviche and tiradito from the Peruvian side, and sashimi from the Japanese side. Dishes are designed to be shared, so a table usually orders several rolls, a few grilled items and a ceviche. A cocktail list drawing on pisco and cachaca is typical of the brand, available where the hotel venue is licensed, with non-alcoholic mocktails as alternatives.

The dining room is stylish and energetic, with a lively evening crowd, music and an atmosphere pitched towards celebrations and after-work dinners. Dress is smart casual to smart. The Financial Harbour location puts it among the towers of Manama's business district, so the crowd mixes business diners, residents and hotel guests. Prices are high for Bahrain, about BHD 20-45 per person, depending on how many rolls and cocktails are ordered.

Service is dinner daily, though exact hours are not published, so visitors should confirm with the hotel. Reservations are made through the Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour dining line or website, and booking is advisable for Thursday and Friday evenings and for any group. Weekday dinners are easier to secure and quieter.