The island nation with big plans
Multiple daily flights from Kuwait + direct to Sana’a
Top Tables
Bushido
Opened last year, this funky Japanese eatery is currently the hottest spot in Bahrain. Expect excellent sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki and a stunning garden. Road 38, Block 428, Seef, +973 1758 3666
Le Relais De Venise This near-carbon copy of the original Le Relais, which opened in Paris in 1959, is at L’Hotel, a new boutique hotel in the Seef district. The menu is simple and excellent: steak frites, salad and dessert. L’Hotel, Seef, +973 17 567 222
Margarita Mexicana Bahrain’s first fine dining Mexican restaurant is very impressive. Head chef Nathan Slattery knows his tacos from his tortillas and uses ingredients imported from Mexico. Gulf Hotel Bahrain, +973 1771 3000
Jazeera Airways’ charming home country offers world-class food, shopping and hotels
Non-stop flights to 19 cities around the region
Top Tables
Ayyame
The competition is tough, but Ayyame is currently our favourite restaurant in Kuwait. The setting, at the very edge of Marina Crescent, is as good as it gets, with beautiful views of the ocean and Kuwait City. Yet the food still manages to be the star of the show, with brilliant versions of dishes from across the Middle East and North Africa. Our favourite mezze include the Iranian-Lebanese spinach houmous, the Libyan pumpkin dip and the Syrian muhammara. For mains, we adore the Moroccan lamb tagine and the muhallabia will bring proceedings to a sweet dénouement. Bonus points to for getting some Kuwaiti dishes on the menu, too.
Marina Crescent, +965 2571 2189
The Early Bird
The Early Bird is the most unexpected of discoveries, an authentic American breakfast restaurant in Fahaheel. It’s owned by Bianca Simonian, a Los Angeles native who’s mastered the all-American breakfast: pancakes, biscuits and gravy, waffles and omelettes – yum. Healthier options include yoghurt and muesli. There are board games on the tables, works by local artist Ghadah Alkandari on the walls, and good music on the stereo – we were treated to Joanna Newsom and Nick Drake.
Fahaheel, +965 2392 5814.
Riccardo
One of Kuwait’s oldest and more elegant restaurants, opened in 1979, Riccardo is a charmingly old-fashioned fine diner where the waiters are often better dressed than the guests. Chef Stefano from Sicily dishes up refined, classic Italian favourites, focused on fresh produce, with the occasional creative touch, such as an starter of buffalo mozzarella with a sundried tomato vinaigrette and beef tartar and tomato on bruschetta. The highlight, however, are the handmade pastas, prepared daily, such as tortellini with prawns, garlic and sundried tomato pesto, and wild mushroom ravioli with cream and morels.
Sheraton Kuwait, Kuwait City, +965 1835 555
Sakura The Crowne Plaza’s Japanese eatery feels like a hotel restaurant – it’s calm, quiet and possesses a strangely comforting 1970s vibe. The sushi, sashimi and noodle dishes are all well prepared, and if you go during their daily happy hours (call for current times) you get two-for-one on the entire menu. It’s a great deal. Crowne Plaza, +965 2473 2020
Sarai The cooking at Sarai is influenced by Armenian, Turkish and Syrian culinary traditions, and it’s quite brilliant. We love the kebbeh neyeh (raw minced lamb) and the houmous muhammara, with the hot pepper and walnut blend spicily swirled into the chick pea dip. The two-storey restaurant is atmospheric and service is polite and attentive. Next to Movenpick Hotel, Safat, +965 224 2424.
Slider Station This industrial-chic eatery with its high ceiling, huge blackboard menu and chilled soundtrack, specialises in “sliders” (mini-burgers), gourmet burgers and American-style tapas, all delivered on a sushi-style conveyor belt. Depending on how hungry you are, opt for two or three burgers and a couple of tapas. Highlights include the Peking duck, spring onion and hoisin sauce slider, and the wagyu with mature English cheddar and caramelised onion slider. Marina Crescent, +965 2224 4630
Suitcase Fillers
Mubarikiya
Kuwait’s Old Souq has recently been polished up and modernised, all without sacrificing any of its traditional flavour. Shop here for herbs, spices and jewellery. Old Souq, Downtown
Sultan Centre
Running out of time, but have loads of shopping left to do? Whatever it is you’re looking for – clothing, cosmetics, electronics – the chances are you’ll find it here. Inside Souq Sharq, Gulf Road, +965 571 9620
At Your Leisure
Tareq Rajab Museum This is the nation’s foremost privately owned collection of art, calligraphy, textiles, jewellery and musical instruments. Mr Rajab has almost singlehandedly assembled one of the world’s finest collections of Islamic artefacts, making this a must-visit for tourists. Tareq Rajab incorporates a museum of Islamic calligraphy, while Dar El-Cid, an art gallery and exhibition hall, is around the corner. Jabriya, +965 531 7358
The Qatari city with something for everyone
Two flights a day from Kuwait
Top Tables
Restaurant 29
Found on the 29th floor of the new Beverly Hills Tower in West Bay, this cool-looking restaurant serves up salads, pasta dishes, steak and chicken. All steaks are grain-fed USDA Angus beef, the desserts are more than generous and the views of Qatar’s fast-growing capital are magnificent. Beverly Hills Tower, +974 412 2600
Rocca Rocca is the latest restaurant at one of Doha’s newest hotels. An unfussy Mediterranean eatery, it offers dishes from Morocco, France and Italy. Aside from the pizzas, salads and pasta dishes, you can find sautéed mussels, grilled halloumi salad and lamb shank tagine. The poolside setting overlooking the sea is unbeatable – just perfect for relaxed evenings. Grand Hyatt Doha, +974 448 1234
The fast-paced capital of Saudi Arabia
Two flights a week from Kuwait
Top Tables
Shaabiyah
Don’t be put off by the theme-park appearance – the building is designed to look like an old Saudi house – for this is the place to come for quality Lebanese and Saudi eats. 404 Olaya Main Road, +966 1 465 8581
Spazio 77 Knock-out high-altitude dining at 77 floors up. World-class French and Italian cuisine (plus a sushi bar) competes with the vertiginous views for diners’ attention. Kingdom Centre, King Fahad Highway, Olaya, +966 1 211 1888
Suitcase Fillers
Batha District
Discover a hive of sub-continent traders offering an array of cheap clothes and electronics. Riyadh is one of the cheapest places in the world to find computer and electronic equipment – try the “computer souq” off Olaya Street.
Culture and sunshine on the Med coast
Two flights a day from Kuwait
Top Tables
Byblos
Byblos offers contemporary Lebanese-French cooking and a wonderful view of the Mediterranean. Expect the usual Four Seasons opulence combined with the finest ingredients. Remember to remove your sandals – the dress code is strictly smart. The Four Seasons Alexandria at San Stefano, +20 3 581 8000
At Your Leisure
Bibliotecha Alexandrina
This spectacular library is host to an exhibition on impressions of Alexandria – through maps, engravings and lithographs – from the 15th to 19th centuries. Chatby, +20 3 483 9999, www.bibalex.org
An intoxicating blend of the old and the new
Eight flights a week from Kuwait
Top Tables
Fakhr El-Din
Celebrated as much for its famous clientele – Egyptian pop stars, Lebanese beauty queens and Saudi princes – as its Levantine cuisine, this local institution is one of the city’s finest nights out. Set in an elegant 1940s house that was once the home of Jordan’s first Prime Minister, Fakhreldin serves fantastic hummus beiruti and arayes.
Jabal Amman, 2nd Circle, +962 6 465 2399
Reem Al-Bawadi This mainstay of Amman’s restaurant scene is devoted to Arabic power-dining complete with courtyard tent, fake castle, fountains, palm trees and neon lights. The food is great, but you’ll want to visit just as much for the constantly buzzing atmosphere. Tla’a Al-Ali, West Amman, +962 4 394 7444
Ren Chai
A seriously sophisticated temple to gourmet Chinese cuisine, Ren Chai offers a memorable dining experience, whether on the open terrace or in the sleek interior. Dim sum, soups and sizzling mains are all authentically prepared, while delicacies, including abalone and lobster, fill out a varied menu. Jabal Amman, 4th Circle, +962 6 462 5777, renchai.com
At Your Leisure
Al-Aydi
Al-Aydi is king of Amman’s craft centres, with a huge variety of pieces, from mother-of-pearl and hand-blown glassware to carved olive wood, beautiful embroidered dresses, jewellery and carpets. 2nd Circle, +962 6 464 4555
Beit Al-Bawadi Creating employment for more than 60 people, this outlet store is run by the nonprofit charity Johud and sells superb handcrafted ceramics as well as some textiles and home furnishings. The pieces are exquisite, featuring calligraphy and other Islamic designs – and the quality is exceptional.
Hamleys The first Middle Eastern branch of London’s most famous toy store is on Amman’s Mecca Street. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better selection of toys in the region. Mecca Street, +962 6 551 5020
Iran’s city of poets and flowers
Three flights a week from Kuwait
Top Tables
Hammam-e Vakil
Hammam-e Vakil is an old bathhouse, restored and converted for use as a restaurant. Not only is the setting spectacular, the food’s also great and there’s live traditional music.
Off Taleqani Street by Vakil Bazaar entrance, +98 711 222 6467
Yord About 8km north of the city, this traditional tent, pitched by Qashqai nomads, sees diners lounge on cushions while eating flame-grilled kebabs. +98 711 625 6774
Suitcase Fillers
Bazaar-e Vakil
The vaulted brick ceilings of Shiraz’s main bazaar make it one of the country’s most unique places to shop. Head for the Serai Mushir – an inner courtyard with pool – for local handicrafts.
Saudi Arabia’s laid-back second city
Five flights a week from Kuwait
Top Tables
Al-Baik
Al-Baik is a Saudi institution with Jeddah as its heartland – and a global following of fanatical fans. Customers around the globe have even dedicated Facebook pages to its near-legendary fish and shrimp pita.
Corniche Road, +966 2 606 4635
Casper & Gambini’s This casual dining restaurant attracts a hip young crowd as well as families and businesspeople, lured in by free Wi-fi internet and well-priced food. The area for men has comfortable leather couches and small tables for relaxed dining. Andalus St, +966 2 665 2552
Melange
At this top-floor restaurant with four different dining rooms, a talented Portuguese chef prepares Iberian dishes and fantastic steaks – their chateaubriand is sensational. After your meal, sit back and enjoy the colour-changing and remote-controlled “bohemian” shisha. Tahlia Street, +966 2 669 5619
Pizza Fusion
Jeddah’s first organic pizzeria is nestled in a quiet corner of the Rawdah Star shopping complex. Almost all the ingredients are organic and the multigrain pizza base makes for a lighter, healthier and tastier meal. The bright and cheery family section is a welcome respite from all the smoky shisha cafés nearby. Rawdah Star, +966 2 261 6933
Sindian Shawarma The shawarma at Sindian is legendarily good, to the extent that people often travel from outside the city to eat it. There are no electric grills here; the meat is cooked horizontally on a fiery charcoal grill, giving it a unique flavour. Fresh toppings and a rich garlic mayo confirm its status as the best shawarma in town. Rawdah St, +966 2 667 8189
At Your Leisure
Old Jeddah
A maze of winding streets full of tiny shops and eateries, Old Jeddah is a glimpse of a vanishing Arabia. Exquisite wooden latticework balconies and façades cover the traditional houses, some of which are currently being restored.
The gateway to Egypt’s Nile Valley
Daily flights from Kuwait
Top Tables
Casablanca Sweet
A low-key café that packs in the crowds with its extensive list of savoury fiteer (Egyptian-style pizza) and French-style crêpes. Sharia Tewfik Khashba, +20 88 234 2727
Sonesta
One of the few proper, sit-down restaurants in the city. Good if you’re in the mood for Lebanese mezze or Egyptian kebabs. Sharia An-Nour, +20 88 234 2778
At Your Leisure
Banana and Dates
To get a good price you’ll need to bargain hard with the felucca captains on the banks of the Nile before setting sail for Banana Island, a pleasant retreat from the congestion of the city. Stock up on picnic supplies beforehand, especially if you’re lucky enough to be in the area during the date season. The feluccas can be found at the end of Sharia Salah Salem.
Jazeera Airways’ charming home country offers world-class food, shopping and hotels 
Culture and sunshine on the Med coast