Cipriani Bahrain — Restaurant in Muharraq Island

Warning: Cipriani Bahrain – One of the Worst Tourist Traps I’ve Ever Experienced!

I’ve traveled the world, dined in places from street markets to fine dining, but nothing compares to the arrogance and disrespect I encountered at Cipriani Bahrain.

Yes, the view is stunning. The setup looks elegant, clean, and refined. Look at the photo – empty, peaceful, beautiful cabanas and palm trees along the shore. The perfect setting for a memorable day, right?

Wrong. Because Cipriani Bahrain managed to turn paradise into frustration and disappointment.

Let’s start with the Negroni – 10 BHD for a laughably tiny glass that wouldn’t pass in any average bar, let alone in a place claiming luxury. Alongside it, they served a ridiculously small snack – more of a joke than a starter. Overpriced, overrated, underwhelming.

But that’s not the worst part.

As a Muslim, I was forced to order an alcoholic drink just to be allowed to sit at the beach bar. Yes – in a Muslim country. This is beyond disrespectful – it’s cultural insensitivity at its finest. There was no option, no flexibility, no respect. Just a cold, robotic policy with no understanding of values or diversity.

And guess what? The bar was almost EMPTY, but they told us “Sorry, fully booked.” Fully booked for who? Ghosts? VIPs that never showed up? It was a blatant lie, meant to create false exclusivity and push people away. Or maybe, just maybe, to keep certain guests out.

Cipriani Bahrain is NOT luxury. It’s a scam in a fancy suit – pretty on the outside, but hollow and hostile on the inside.

To all tourists and travelers: If you value respect, dignity, quality or even just a decent drink without being humiliated – stay away from this place. I’ve never in my life experienced such a disappointing, overpriced, and offensive “hospitality” experience.

Final verdict: Never again. Total disaster. Cipriani Bahrain – the shame...

Having recently dined at Cipriani Bahrain, I'm left with an overwhelming sense of disappointment. The restaurant's ambiance and decor felt surprisingly bland, more reminiscent of a continental breakfast room at a Hilton than the upscale Italian dining experience I had anticipated.

The most glaring issue was the exorbitant pricing, seemingly geared towards a clientele willing to overpay for everything. Our dinner for two came out to over 130 Bahraini Dinar, and we only had one entree, one starter, and one of their famous (yet underwhelming) "cocktails" each. The veal dish I ordered, while decent in taste, was practically drowning in a sea of melted butter. Two sticks, to be precise, with no garnish or effort put into the presentation whatsoever.

Their signature "bellini" was nothing more than a glorified mimosa with peach juice instead of orange, served in a ridiculously small glass that should have been half the price. To add insult to injury, the waiter removed my bellini while I still had a quarter of it left! It's no wonder they don't show the menu online, as the prices would make anyone with half a brain reconsider dining there.

Adding to the frustration, the entire experience felt rushed. The waiters removed our plates from the starter before we were even finished to make space for our entrees. To top it off, the woman who took our reservation stressed a smart casual dress code, yet there were people dining in sweatpants and baseball caps. It seems the restaurant's standards don't quite match the prices they charge.

If you're looking for quality Italian food in a cozy, romantic setting, this is definitely not the place. Cipriani Bahrain falls flat on its promises and fails to live up to the hype. It's a place where the price tag far exceeds the value, and the overall experience leaves a lot...

Deeply Disappointing Experience at Cipriani Bahrain

Profound disappointment regarding the service and overall experience my guests and I received at your establishment this evening. We chose Cipriani to celebrate a birthday, anticipating the high standards synonymous with your esteemed franchise. Unfortunately, our experience fell drastically short of these expectations.

The service we received was utterly horrendous and unacceptable. The staff displayed a concerning lack of professionalism, demonstrating neither the etiquette nor the courtesy one would expect from an establishment of Cipriani's calibre. Their conduct was discourteous, and their unfamiliarity with proper service protocols was readily apparent.

To further compound our disappointment, the restaurant manager's demeanour was equally unprofessional. His dismissive attitude and lack of decorum created an uncomfortable atmosphere, particularly inappropriate in the presence of distinguished ladies.

While the cuisine itself was mediocre, the substandard service and unpleasant atmosphere significantly detracted from our special occasion. Additionally, the dessert was inedible, with a strong odour of eggs. Upon bringing this to the staff's attention, we were met with indifference.

As a loyal Cipriani patron worldwide, I find the service and staff at your Bahrain branch a significant departure from the competence and professionalism I have come to expect and am accustomed to. It is particularly surprising given the expectation that staff in a Cipriani establishment would, at minimum, possess an understanding of Italian hospitality.

This experience was deeply regrettable and has unfortunately tarnished our perception of Cipriani Bahrain. I trust you will take appropriate measures to address these shortcomings to prevent similar occurrences...