Takht Jamsheed, Bahrain’s Persian Restaurant Since 2002, Opens a Second Home at Marassi Galleria
Gulf Hotels Group’s Persian restaurant has opened its first branch outside The Gulf Hotel, in the Marassi Al Bahrain mall, in a room styled as a royal court.
Takht Jamsheed, the Persian restaurant that has been part of The Gulf Hotel Bahrain since 2002, has opened a second branch at Marassi Galleria, its first outside the hotel. Bahrain Confidential’s review of 15 June 2026 said it had recently opened its newest home there, and Gulf Hotels Group listed the opening among its operational milestones in its half-year results, reported on 7 August by Bahrain This Month. Neither gives an opening date.
The move was announced on 15 September 2025, when Gulf Hotels Group and Eagle Hills Diyar, the developer of Marassi Al Bahrain, signed an agreement for the branch with a launch planned for early 2026. Eagle Hills’ managing director, Dr Maher Al Shaer, called it a milestone in the Galleria’s aim of becoming a destination for shopping, entertainment and upscale dining. Gulf Hotels Group’s chief executive, Ahmed Janahi, described the agreement as a valuable addition to the group’s portfolio and part of a plan to diversify its offering and expand into strategic locations. On 14 October 2025, Bahrain Confidential reported that the restaurant was coming soon to a beachfront setting.
The room and the menu
The new room is styled as a Persian royal court and takes its name from Takht-e Jamshid, the Persian name for Persepolis. Bahrain Confidential describes ornate rugs hung from the ceiling inside wooden walls, imperial vases, striking lampshades and soft traditional music under considered lighting. The original restaurant at The Gulf Hotel has its own decorative scheme of ornate shields, ceremonial swords, imperial vases and replica sculptures.
The menu centres on Persian grills and rice dishes. Dishes named in the review include Chelo Kabab Kubideh Zaffarani, lamb skewers with saffron rice; Baghali Polo Ba Mahicheh, lamb shank with dill and broad bean rice; Loghmeh Saffarani, grilled lamb with pistachio, walnut and sesame; and Siniye Ramsar. Salad Shirazi and Pish Ghazaye Mitra are the recommended starters. The same signature dishes were listed for the original restaurant in October 2025.
Where it sits in Bahrain’s scene
Takht Jamsheed was among the 26 restaurants chosen by judges in Bahrain Confidential’s Best Restaurants Awards in December 2025, a poll we cover in our report on this year’s awards. Marassi Galleria itself is in Muharraq Governorate, on the Marassi Al Bahrain waterfront development.
For Gulf Hotels Group, whose results also reflect a harder year for hospitality, the opening is one of several moves into new locations; the same half-year statement mentions a Bayfront Al Khobar site in preparation. Our report on the restaurants shaping the wider Gulf looks at where else regional brands are growing.
Sources & fact-check6
- Gulf Hotels Group and Eagle Hills Diyar sign agreement to open Takht Jamsheed at Marassi GalleriaGulf Hotels Group, 15 September 2025
- Takht Jamsheed Is Opening at a New Beachfront Location SoonBahrain Confidential, 14 October 2025
- Takht Jamsheed at Marassi (review)Bahrain Confidential, 15 June 2026
- Takht Jamsheed opens at Marassi Galleria, BahrainPlatinum List, 17 June 2026
- Gulf Hotels Group reports first-half profitBahrain This Month, 7 August 2026
- Bahrain’s Best Restaurants Awards 2025: the winnersBahrain Confidential, 11 December 2025
Every name, number and date in this story was checked against the sources above before publication. Spotted something wrong? Tell us — we correct errors openly. See our editorial standards.
