Muhammar is rice cooked in date syrup and warm spices, and Wikipedia’s list of Bahraini dishes calls it one of the most distinctive rice dishes in Bahrain. It is sweet, and it is usually eaten with fried or grilled fish.
Gulf News, which published a recipe for it, describes muhammar as a beloved Bahraini dish that can be eaten as a side dish with fried fish or even as a dessert. The name is easy to confuse with muhammara, the Syrian dip, so this guide also explains the difference.
This guide covers what muhammar is, what goes into it, how it is cooked, a home recipe, how it differs from muhammara and musakhan, where to look for Bahraini food in Muharraq, and dietary notes. It is part of our Middle East food guides, and you can browse all destinations too.
What Is Muhammar?
Muhammar is a traditional dish from Bahrain: a sweet rice dish seasoned with spices and date molasses, usually eaten with fried or grilled fish, according to Wikipedia’s entry on the dish. The pairing of sweet rice with savoury fish is what defines it.
It is a dish, not a festival or a tour. We found no reliable source for muhammar’s origin or for the occasions it is traditionally cooked for, so this guide does not guess at either.
What Muhammar Is Made Of
The ingredients below come from the recipe published by Gulf News, which credits it to Al Mashowa. The quantities are for six servings.
| Ingredient | Quantity | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Basmati rice | 1 kg | The base of the dish |
| Date syrup | 500 g | Sweetens the rice; Wikipedia calls it date molasses |
| Water | 1.3 litres | The cooking liquid |
| Green cardamom pods | 3 | Warm spice |
| Cinnamon sticks | 3 | Warm spice |
| Cloves | 3 | Warm spice |
| Ghee | 2 tablespoons | Added near the end for richness |
Cooks vary the sweetener: Wikipedia’s list of Bahraini cuisine describes muhammar as made “with dates or sugar”, so both appear.
How Muhammar Is Cooked
Two published descriptions differ slightly. Wikipedia says the rice is parboiled and then steamed. The Gulf News recipe cooks it in one pot: the rice goes into the water with the date syrup and spices, is stirred gently until it boils, and is then covered with the ghee and cooked slowly for 14 minutes.
A Home Recipe for Muhammar
This version follows the Gulf News recipe, which lists 14 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking for six servings.
Ingredients
- 1 kg basmati rice
- 500 g date syrup
- 1.3 litres water
- 3 green cardamom pods
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 cloves
- 2 tablespoons ghee
Method
- Put the water, date syrup, cardamom, cinnamon sticks and cloves in a large pot.
- Add the rice and stir gently until the liquid comes to the boil.
- Stir in the ghee, cover the pot and cook slowly for 14 minutes.
- Serve with fried fish, or on its own as a dessert.
Recipe note: FoodsGuider has not cooked this recipe; the quantities and timings come from the Gulf News source. Because Wikipedia describes a parboil-and-steam method, results and texture will vary between cooks.
How to Eat Muhammar
- With fried or grilled fish: the usual way to serve it, according to Wikipedia.
- As a side dish: Gulf News describes it as a side dish for fried fish.
- As a dessert: Gulf News says it can also be eaten as a dessert.
For another sweet from the region, see our guide to baklava in Istanbul.
Muhammar, Muhammara and Musakhan
The names look alike but the dishes are different. Wikipedia’s muhammar entry includes a note not to confuse it with muhammara, and it lists musakhan as “also known as muhammar”.
| Name | What it is | Where it is from |
|---|---|---|
| Muhammar | Sweet rice cooked with date syrup and spices, usually eaten with fried or grilled fish | Bahrain |
| Muhammara | A dip | Syria |
| Musakhan | A dish Wikipedia lists as also known as muhammar | Jordan and Palestine |
If a menu or recipe says “muhammar”, check which dish it means before you order or cook.
Muhammar Among Bahrain’s Rice Dishes
Bahraini cuisine has several rice dishes, and muhammar is the sweet one.
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Muhammar | Sweet rice, usually with fried or grilled fish |
| Machboos | Mutton, chicken or fish served over fragrant rice cooked in a well-spiced broth |
| Masli | Rice cooked with chicken, meat, fish or shrimp |
Descriptions are based on Wikipedia’s article on Bahraini cuisine, which at the time of writing asked for more citations, so treat the details as a starting point.
Where to Try Bahraini Food in Muharraq
We could not find a source that confirms which restaurants serve muhammar, so ask whether it is on the menu that day. These places are described as serving traditional Bahraini food in Bahrain Confidential’s May 2026 guide to eating in Muharraq:
- Our Old House: a traditional Bahraini restaurant on the Pearling Path, in a restored heritage property. Seafood and rice plates lead the menu.
- Naseef: traditional Bahraini and Arabic dishes alongside a well-known ice cream selection, in the Saada Marina setting.
- Freej Bin Rashdan: described as a go-to for an authentic Bahraini breakfast, near the airport.
- Dona’s Wonders: a small Bahraini breakfast spot run by Dona Maria, set in a garden.
- Al Sedra: known for its breakfast buffet, where Bahraini staples such as balaleet and samboosa arrive in clay bowls.
Menus and opening hours change, so check before you go.
Muharraq and the Pearling Path
Muharraq is home to part of the Pearling Path. “Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy” was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 30 June 2012, according to Wikipedia. In Muharraq it includes the Bu Mahir fort on the southern tip of Muharraq Island and 17 historic buildings connected by a 3.5 km visitor pathway: the homes and majlises of pearl merchants and divers, storage houses and the Siyadi family mosque.
Dietary and Halal Notes
Halal note: the Gulf News recipe contains no meat or alcohol. The only animal-derived ingredient is ghee, which is clarified butter. Served with fish, the meal contains no meat; ask a restaurant how its fish is cooked.
Vegetarian: the rice as written is vegetarian, but it contains ghee, so it is not vegan. Restaurant versions may differ, so ask.
Sugar: the recipe uses 500 g of date syrup for six servings, which is worth knowing if you are watching your sugar intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is muhammar?
A traditional Bahraini sweet rice dish seasoned with spices and date molasses, usually eaten with fried or grilled fish.
Is muhammar sweet or savoury?
Sweet. The rice is cooked with date syrup, or with sugar in some versions. It is usually served with savoury fried or grilled fish.
What is muhammar served with?
Usually fried or grilled fish. Gulf News describes it as a side dish for fried fish and says it can also be eaten as a dessert.
What is muhammar made of?
Rice, date syrup or sugar, and spices. The Gulf News recipe uses basmati rice, date syrup, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ghee and water.
Is muhammar the same as muhammara?
No. Muhammar is a Bahraini sweet rice dish. Muhammara is a dip from Syria. Wikipedia also lists musakhan, a Jordanian and Palestinian dish, as sometimes called muhammar.
Is there a muhammar tour or festival in Bahrain?
We found no source for one. Muhammar is a dish. If you are visiting, the Pearling Path in Muharraq is a documented heritage route, and the restaurants above serve traditional Bahraini food.
Is muhammar vegetarian?
The rice in the Gulf News recipe is vegetarian but contains ghee, so it is not vegan. It is usually served with fish, so ask about the full meal.
Where can I eat muhammar in Bahrain?
We could not confirm which restaurants list it. Ask at traditional Bahraini restaurants such as those above whether it is served that day.
How long does muhammar take to make?
The Gulf News recipe lists 14 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking, for six servings.
Sources
- Muhammar, Wikipedia
- Bahraini cuisine, Wikipedia
- Muhammar or Bahraini sweet rice, Gulf News
- Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy, Wikipedia
- Where to eat in Muharraq, Bahrain Confidential
Facts checked on 6 November 2026. Restaurant details come from the sources named and may change.
