The Rise of Café Culture in Bahrain

Just like everywhere else in the world, the rise of café culture across the island of Bahrain has been exceptional in the last few years with not just the well know coffee chains but also the smaller cafes making a name for themselves. In the areas and regions across the island, there are a number of innovative independents that specialize in several café treats ranging from ice-cream to smoothies and a wide range of coffee servings. What is Café Culture?

Café culture in Bahrain is about more than just the coffee, it is a study of dining customs, lifestyle traditions and social dynamics that explore how consumers use food services. In most global markets, a long standing of café based traditions already exists, the Kissaten Coffee Bar in Japan, the Pastane in Turkey, or the Lanchonetes in Brazil. However, the modern day trends are driving the category’s evolution all across the globe. Café in Bahrain and specialist coffee shops are growing in popularity forming new social traditions and changing the way the world drinks.

Cafés Have Become Social Venues

Due to the emerging popularity of specialist coffee shops and cafes worldwide, customers are increasingly looking for a place that sells social experiences as much as coffee and food. The idea of food service is bleeding into other categories as well, and for all such places including bars, pubs, and restaurants who are all looking for ways to drive in traffic and fill their tables. A typical café in Bahrain will offer a soothing ambience, great coffee, internet, and a peaceful cozy environment to make sure that you have a good time.

Premium Experience Is Key

Cafes and specialist coffee shops are relatively new in Bahrain and in many other markets, but coffee is nothing new. There are so many less expensive coffee options already available in the market that modern coffee house operators have to come up with a premium experience for their customers to coax them to have coffee at their place. The coffee has to be good, but value has to be added by giving the customers an experience that they cannot refuse.

It’s All About Coffee

Businesses and restaurants in other categories are also taking steps to claim a share of the lucrative demand for coffee and snacks throughout the day. Fast food places have added premium coffee and redesigning outlets to feel more like premium coffee houses, forcing the coffee shops to work hard for maintaining their share in the market. Market research has shown that at the end of the day it is all about the quality of the coffee more than anything else which attracts the customers.

A New Focus on Food

In response to the increasing competition, coffee houses are not expanding their menus in order to serve a wider range of snacks and food options. The usual café food options include sandwiches, salads, and baked items like croissants, pastries, and desserts. Some places are also adding alcohol servings in order to compete with other cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs during the evenings. People usually enjoy quality food and snacks with their coffees which is why this focus in growing in café in Bahrain.

Differentiation or Bust

The ever increasing fierce competition in this market means that differentiation has become necessary in order to grow. In order to achieve differentiation cafes are using different themes, specialties, and perks to attract customers. A new comer is ‘Dessert Cafes’ which highlight their dessert servings as their highlight and claim differentiation from the other cafes.