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Eat Doha

Gulf, Persian, Levantine and Yemeni tables

Markets & food halls

Spice sacks, dates, Arabic sweets and dozens of terraces. Graze through the lanes before choosing where to sit.

Doha Central Market

The working wholesale market for fish, fruit and vegetables. Go early for the fish auction’s bustle.

Check before going

Colourful container cafés, karak stands and seafood restaurants in the Mina District, with dhows across the water.

Katara food strip

A string of beachfront cafés and restaurants behind the amphitheatre; lively on cool evenings.

Traditional restaurants

A mirrored, jewel-box dining room serving Persian classics: kebabs, saffron rice and slow-cooked stews.

Yemeni mandi and bubbling fahsa in a busy, no-frills setting. Share large plates of rice and lamb.

Syrian grills and mezze, with tables spilling into the souq lanes.

Al Jasra Traditional Food

A small Qatari kitchen for machboos, harees and balaleet. Simple, local and good value.

Al Doha Al Jadeeda

Qatari home cooking in a restored Al Khulaifi family house near the Corniche, with garden and veranda seating. MICHELIN-selected.

Refined Qatari and Gulf dishes in a richly decorated room on the Corniche. Try the lamb mains.

A bright, simple Khaleeji café with a bread oven, open from breakfast. A Bib Gourmand for fresh, low-priced dishes.

Bakeries & cafés

Shay Al Shomous

A souq institution run by a Qatari woman: balaleet, eggs with tomatoes and chebab pancakes for breakfast.

Chapati & Karak

Katara’s famous counter for sweet karak and folded chapati, open around the clock with shorter Friday hours.

Across the city

A local karak chain with branches in Souq Waqif and Old Doha Port; quick, cheap and very Doha.

Across the city

Karak, chapati and Qatari snacks across several branches; formats and hours vary.

A 24-hour karak stop in Medina Centrale for a late stroll on The Pearl.

Desert Rose Café

A light-filled café inside the National Museum of Qatar, with Qatari and international plates between galleries.

Highly recommended

IDAM by Alain Ducasse

Michelin-starred French-Qatari cooking on the top floor of the Museum of Islamic Art, with bay views. Book ahead.

Modern Qatari dining on the top floor of the National Museum of Qatar; a Bib Gourmand. Reserve a window table.

One-Michelin-starred Indian cooking for an occasion meal. Reserve and confirm the menu.

Moroccan tagines and couscous inside Souq Waqif; a Bib Gourmand.

Sri Lankan hoppers and curries in Msheireb; a Bib Gourmand with a casual room.

Berenjak Al Maha Island

Persian grills by the water on Al Maha Island in Lusail; a Bib Gourmand.

Eat more

Machboos

Harees

Balaleet

Luqaimat

Karak + chapati

Mandi

Grilled hammour

Arabic coffee + dates

Saffron mahalabia

The November plate

Machboos on a cool evening

Spiced rice with lamb, chicken or fish, slow-cooked with loomi (dried lime). Order it to share, then finish with sticky luqaimat and karak.

Muslim traveller note: food in Qatar is halal by default. In licensed hotel restaurants, ask about wine in sauces and desserts.

04 Mosques & Muslim traveller notes

06 Culture, design & architecture

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