One Year Strong! Time Out Market Bahrain Hits 1M Visitors

Time Out Market Bahrain is proudly celebrating its one-year anniversary this month, marking a major milestone with over one million visitors in its first year of operations. Since its launch in December 2024, the Market has established itself as one of Bahrain’s most vibrant culinary and cultural destinations, bringing together award-winning chefs, rising local talent, and an exciting lineup of events, all under one roof at City Centre Bahrain. Marking its newest opening, CALLA by My Cafe has now joined the Market’s culinary line-up. With a curated selection of award-winning and homegrown eateries including: Doña by Margarita Mexicana, Eathai, Fatto, Florencia Ice Cream, Goodness, Kāju, By Mirai, Ô Liban, SOUL, Villa Mamas, Zen by China Garden, the Market has created a dynamic tasting tour of global and regional cuisines led by Bahrain’s top culinary talent.

Throughout its inaugural year, Time Out Market Bahrain delivered on its promise to serve not only great food, but great experiences. Beyond daily service and regular live music sessions, the Market played host to a series of community-first and lifestyle-driven collaborations. Among the year’s standout events was a morning wellness activation in partnership with Lululemon and Calo, where Coach Abdullatif Al Maraghi led a group workout session in the Market space, blending health, movement, and food in a uniquely urban setting. Another moment that brought new energy to the Market was the ‘Timeout Market Blitz Chess Tournament,’ hosted in collaboration with Chess Champions Academy, which welcomed players from across the Kingdom for an afternoon of fast-paced strategy.

The Market also proudly supported Bahrain’s growing fitness community by collaborating with Not a Cult Run Club during their “Mallathon” initiative, where runners gathered post-run at Time Out Market to unwind and refuel. Guests gravitated towards nourishing dishes and fresh, energising bites, pairing them with specialty coffee as they relaxed post-run, showcasing how naturally the Market’s food offering brings people together. In the spring, the Market tapped into Bahrain’s Formula 1 season, hosting Red Bull F1 simulators that drew racing fans of all ages during the Grand Prix weekend. On the culinary front, the Market continued to elevate its offerings through exclusive experiences, including the “Bluefin Edition” event with Mirai, where a 150kg Bluefin Tuna was flown in from Japan and carved live into sushi and sashimi for guests. It was one of the year’s most remarkable showcases of chef-led performance dining in the Kingdom.

Ramadan brought a new level of local creativity to the Market’s rooftop with ‘Twilight’, a special pop-up by celebrated Bahraini chef Fajer. The menu reimagined traditional dishes through a modern lens, featuring highlights such as vine leaves risotto with lamb chops and Bahraini-style ratatouille.This spirit of culinary reinterpretation complemented the Market’s permanent offerings, from Villa Mamas’ beloved Khaleeji flavours and Kāju’s contemporary Indian plates, to Zen’s Cantonese and Szechuan specialties, Eathai’s Thai classics, and Fatto’s rustic Italian dishes. Community inclusion was also central to the Ramadan calendar, as Time Out Market Bahrain welcomed students from Alia Autism Centers for a special visit, a gesture that reflected the Market’s commitment to creating a space that is welcoming to all.

Looking ahead, the team at Time Out Market Bahrain is focused on expanding its experiential offering and deepening partnerships that bring value to both customers and the broader community. Ian Russell, General Manager of Time Out Market Bahrain, commented:

“Reaching the one-year mark is an incredible achievement, and we’re deeply grateful to the over one million guests who have made this journey so rewarding. What has stood out most this year is the power of collaboration, whether it was with chefs, athletes, artists, or community groups. In the year ahead, we aim to build on this energy with more immersive, experience-led events, including chef’s tables, curated brunches, and creative workshops that reflect our role as a cultural platform as much as a culinary one. We’re also excited to strengthen partnerships with brands that share our values, as we’ve done this year with Talabat, who enable delivery from the Market, and STC, whose rewards programme brings special offers to our guests.”

Time Out Market Bahrain enters its second year with ambitious plans to grow its event programming, add new vendors and seasonal concepts, and continue contributing to Bahrain’s broader tourism and lifestyle objectives. As the Market celebrates this first anniversary, it does so with a clear commitment to offering more than just exceptional dining, but a place where food, culture, and people converge.