Innovative F&B Concepts to Transform Bahrain’s Dining Scene by Gulf Hotels Group

Innovative F&B Concepts to Transform Bahrain’s Dining Scene by Gulf Hotels Group

By Author

Published on January 18, 2024

Gulf Hotels Group, a titan in the hospitality management world with over half a century of expertise, has recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the globally celebrated Solutions Leisure Group. This collaboration signifies a major leap forward in redefining Bahrain's culinary landscape by introducing state-of-the-art food and beverage outlets.

A Culinary Renaissance in Bahrain

At the core of this partnership lies the ambition to transform Block 338, located in Adliya, the heart of Bahrain's vibrant dining district. This alliance aims to create a new lifestyle destination, promising to revamp the entire hospitality scene in the region. The collaboration will see the unveiling of four unique dining concepts, blending award-winning ideas from Solutions Leisure Group's portfolio with fresh, innovative designs tailored to the local and international palate.

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Upcoming Gastronomic Revelations

Over the coming months, Gulf Hotels Group and Solutions Leisure Group will be revealing the details of these multi-branded outlets. Expectations are high as these establishments are set to introduce a new dimension of culinary finesse and entertainment, catering to both local and international communities.

Elevating Local and International Dining Experiences

Gulf Hotels Group's venture into this partnership aligns with its goal to enrich its food and beverage offerings in the Kingdom. This initiative is a testament to their commitment to scaling new heights in the restaurant scene in Bahrain, addressing the diverse preferences of both local and international guests.

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Leadership Perspectives

Mr. Ahmed Janahi, the Group CEO of Gulf Hotels Group, expresses enthusiasm about joining forces with Solutions Leisure Group. He foresees this partnership as a gateway to introducing exciting and cutting-edge dining experiences in Bahrain, aligning with market trends and demands. Paul Evans, CEO and Co-Founder of Solutions Leisure Group, celebrates their ten-year presence in the Middle East, marking this venture as a significant stride into the next decade. He emphasises their core ethos of creating memorable moments and anticipates this collaboration to elevate Bahrain's F&B scene through unique and immersive social experiences.

A New Chapter for Gulf Hotels Group

With a history dating back to 1967, Gulf Hotels Group has been a beacon of hospitality excellence in Bahrain. Starting with the launch of the Gulf Hotel, Bahrain's first five-star property, the Group has continually evolved to meet modern-day demands while maintaining its commitment to unparalleled hospitality.

Solutions Group: A Global Hospitality Leader

Solutions Group, known for its impactful presence in the hospitality and entertainment sector, prides itself on being the UAE's most awarded F&B group. Their portfolio spans 20 distinct destinations across various sectors, including bars, restaurants, and entertainment. Known for their innovative and approachable style, they've built a reputation for delivering experience-driven designs and services.

Redefining Bahrain's Gastronomic Scene

This partnership is not just about expanding the portfolio of dining options. It's about reimagining the culinary experience in Bahrain, setting new standards in the hospitality sector. With a blend of creative innovation and a deep understanding of guest preferences, Gulf Hotels Group and Solutions Leisure Group are poised to redefine the gastronomic landscape of the Kingdom.

This collaboration heralds a new era for Bahrain's culinary scene, promising to deliver unparalleled gastronomic experiences, exceptional service, and unforgettable moments to its patrons.


The House of Makeba Sets Sights on National Expansion with Rs 45 Crore Investment Plan

The House of Makeba Sets Sights on National Expansion with Rs 45 Crore Investment Plan

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 6, 2025

Ahmedabad’s homegrown vegetarian restaurant chain, The House of Makeba, is preparing for a significant leap beyond Gujarat. Founded in 2018, this bootstrapped startup—known for its north Indian and global cuisines—has already crossed Rs 125 crore in cumulative revenue, scaling from Rs 1.2 crore in FY 2018-19 to an estimated Rs 24 crore in FY 2024-25, all without external funding.

“With every outlet and milestone built organically through belief, discipline, and reinvestment, we’ve focused on profitability over chasing valuations. We’re proud to have scaled sustainably in a fiercely competitive market,” said Ram Singhal, co-founder, The House of Makeba.

Today, the brand operates seven outlets across Gujarat, serving over 12 lakh diners, with nearly one in three being repeat customers. Its distinctive rooftop dining concept and regional-first strategy have helped it carve a niche in India’s crowded vegetarian F&B space.

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The House of Makeba follows a hybrid model, blending company-owned flagship locations with carefully chosen franchise partnerships in cities like Gandhinagar, Vadodara, and Anand. This scalable approach is now set to drive its national rollout, with plans to enter five new states by 2026, targeting markets such as Indore, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai, and Pune.

To power this growth, the company plans to invest Rs 45 crore by 2028, potentially scaling to Rs 60 crore by 2030. It aims to have 20 outlets operational by 2028 and 25 by 2030, emerging as a premium, homegrown alternative to legacy vegetarian dining giants.


L’Opera Unveils Le Cafe at The Chanakya, Bringing Parisian Elegance to Delhi

L’Opera Unveils Le Cafe at The Chanakya, Bringing Parisian Elegance to Delhi

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 6, 2025

L’Opera has unveiled its latest culinary gem—Le Cafe at The Chanakya, New Delhi—marking a refined new chapter in the brand’s journey. Nestled within Le Gourmet, Le Cafe is a thoughtfully crafted space that blends the everyday charm of Parisian cafes with the luxury shopping destination’s elegance, inviting guests to pause, savour, and enjoy an elevated French dining experience.

Rooted in L’Opera’s hallmark dedication to authenticity and craft, Le Cafe adds a fresh layer of warmth and versatility to the brand’s expanding portfolio. It captures the quiet joys of French living—from the scent of freshly baked baguettes to the delicate flakiness of croissants—transforming each visit into a sensory retreat.

Speaking on the launch, Laurent Samandari, Founder & Managing Director of L’Opera, shared, “With Le Cafe, we wanted to create a space where every detail from the aroma of fresh bread to the last spoon of risotto reminds you of the quiet pleasures of French living. It’s our way of bringing a little Paris to your daily life.”

The new cafe is anchored by four elegantly designed counters, each offering a distinct experience:

  • The Pastry & Bread Counter, showcasing signature L’Opera delicacies.

  • A Live Kitchen for freshly prepared classics.

  • A Salad & Sandwich Bar blending fresh flavours.

  • An Artisanal Pasta Counter celebrating European culinary traditions.

The menu itself is a sophisticated balance of comfort and creativity, carefully curated to suit every mood and moment. True to L’Opera’s ethos, there’s an emphasis on premium ingredients, mindful preparation, and catering to diverse dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and protein-rich options—often featuring fresh, organic, and locally sourced produce.

Whether shoppers stop by for a quick pastry or linger over a leisurely meal, Le Cafe seamlessly adapts, offering both refined takeaways and leisurely sit-down experiences. With this launch, L’Opera continues to infuse Delhi’s culinary landscape with authentic French finesse, turning everyday moments into delightful rituals.


FES Cafe Raises Rs 3 Crores in Seed Funding from Aakash Anand and Wolfpack Labs to Scale India's First 100% Eggless Dessert Cafe Chain

FES Cafe Raises Rs 3 Crores in Seed Funding from Aakash Anand and Wolfpack Labs to Scale India's First 100% Eggless Dessert Cafe Chain

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 5, 2025

India’s dessert scene just got a major upgrade as FES Cafe, the country’s first scalable 100% eggless, dessert-first cafe chain, raised Rs 3 crores in a seed round led by serial entrepreneur Aakash Anand and his venture studio, Wolfpack Labs. Known for backing breakout consumer brands, Wolfpack’s involvement brings not just capital but deep strategic support across innovation, franchising, operations, and brand-building.

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With this backing, FES is gearing up for its next phase of aggressive expansion, beginning with its Delhi debut this July, followed by a second outlet in Gurgaon and a Jaipur launch by year-end. The brand plans to scale to over 100 outlets across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities by FY 2027 through a hybrid COCO and FICO model, along with delivery-first hubs and packaged dessert formats to broaden its footprint. Since its inception, FES has carved a niche with its gooey cookies, whipped puddings, alt-ingredient cakes, and seasonal desserts served in vibrant, Gen Z- and Millennial-friendly third spaces. 

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Signature experiences like Coffee Raves and limited-edition menus keep their ever-growing community hooked. In just four months, FES achieved EBITDA-positive status at the company level, saw a 347% spike in delivery revenue, and recorded over 10,000 monthly orders as of June 2025.

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“FES was born out of one belief: desserts deserve better,” says Vidur Mayor, Founder & CEO of FES Cafe.

“With Wolfpack’s backing, we’re building not just a cafe chain, but a national movement powered by community and creativity.” Aakash Anand added, “FES has all the right ingredients—buzz, brand love, business smarts, and a founder with the hustle to go big.”

With a vision that blends indulgence and inclusivity, FES is well on its way to becoming India’s Central Perk of desserts—personal, powerful, and primed for scale.

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