Enrich Your Tastebuds With These Top Qatari Dishes In Doha

Qatar, a country famed for its rich cultural heritage and art has a lot more to it than most of the travelers think. While the various sightseeing spots and architectural marvels are a treat to the eyes, the Qatari cuisine too is no less telling. From delicious stews to the melting desserts, this is a country that boasts of its feasting delights.

But here's a thing, while International delicacies are readily available in just about every restaurant in Qatar, finding the right place to taste the traditional Qatari cuisines on your holidays is a big challenge.

Top 14 Qatari Cuisines And Where To Find Them In Doha

Now are you someone who spent hours to book a flight ticket to Qatar online, traveled all the way and are on a Trip to Qatar? Well, if you're wandering in the capital, Doha, wondering which are the best places to taste the traditional cuisines of Qatar, here's our round-up of some of the top Qatari cuisines and where you can find them Doha, the capital of Qatar.

1. Saloona At Walima Restaurant

A dinner delicacy to give you a glimpse of the Arabian family nights, Saloona is a classic stew that is often cooked in Qatari homes during family dinner nights. The idea behind this stew is to prepare it with whatever you have at hand and be generous in eating it.

Besides, if you're worried about finding the right restaurant to taste it, well, head over to the Walima Restaurant that serves Saloona with chicken and lime that'll make you jump with joy. The kind of twist that the restaurant gives to Saloona is not only satisfying to the taste buds but is also quite popular and one of finest Doha attractions for tourists arriving in the city.

Location: Mondrian Doha, West Bay Lagoon, Doha, Qatar

2. Balaleet At Al Jasra

Easily one of those hidden Qatar tourist attractions when it comes to food, the Al Jasra restaurant in Doha serves yet another traditional Qatari yet gulping dish called Balaleet. Delicious yet unusual, this is a dish that, in fact, is a pasta with an omlette topping.

The dish is flavored with sugar, rose water and saffron and is often served as part of breakfast during Eid-al-Fitr celebrations. So, if you wish to taste this gorgeous delicacy and are wondering where to find it, Al Jasra is the place for you. Besides, the best part? The restaurant is located in the back streets of Souq Waqif itself, one of the topmost visited and popular Doha attractions today.

Location: Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar

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3. Warak Enab At La Cigale Hotel

Now here's a thing about middle eastern cuisines, the stuffed vine leaves are hugely popular and very common to find in food. However, when it comes Qatari Cuisine, the Qataris take it to a whole other level, and talking about Qatari Cuisine, Warak enub, a dish made of beef or lamb minced and served with rice and lemon, is the one you can't afford to miss no matter where you are in Doha.

The dish has steadily become one of most loved treats and is tasted by virtually every traveler who makes a trip to Qatar. But hang on, ever wondered where you can find it? Well, in case you long to taste Warak enub and want to know about the best place that serves it, there's none better than the Shisha gardens, rooted in the courtyard of La Cigale Hotel.

Location: 60 Suhaim Bin Hamad Street، Doha, Qatar

4. Machboos

They say if you make a trip to Qatar and not the national dish of the country, then you miss out on the true perks of your holidays. Served best at the Al Manchab restaurant in Doha, Machboos is the national dish of Qatar which is either made of lamb or chicken. The dish is often served with rice and is slow cooked accompanied by tomato sauce and rosemary.

While Machboos is readily available all around the country being the national dish of Qatar, none make it better than Al Manchab. A restaurant that gives you the feel of a traditional Qatari home when you go and sit there, Al Manchab serves the best Machboos in Qatar in its true authentic sense. With cushioned seats and a cozy decor, the way the restaurant serves Machboos is slow cooked to perfection and you can't afford to miss it on your holidays here.

Location: Al Hazm Mall, Markhiya St, Doha, Qatar

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5. Madrouba At Souq Al-Wakrah

Last but not the least comes Madrouba, a delicacy travelers normally find being widely served during the Ramadan time within the country. It is nothing but a rice porridge that can be served at any time of the day and is one of the finest delicacies that travelers can try when in Qatar.

But here's a thing, while Madrouba is not hard to find in restaurants in Doha, every place has its own unique style of cooking with recipes differing completely at times. But if you truly wish to taste the authentic taste of Madrouba in Doha, then there's no better place than Easair cafe located at Souq Al Wakrah. The cafe is widely renowned for its snacks and authentic food that it serves with travelers coming there to have a traditional feast or two. The location is no less telling as well with the cafe standing near the waterfront in a clay house building.

Location: Souq Al Wakrah, Al Wakrah Seafront, Doha, Qatar

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6. Kousa Mahshi At Al Shami House Restaurant

A popular Lebanese delicacy that is highly popular in Qatar, Kousa Mahshi has to be that Traditional dish that is filling to taste. The dish is prepared with stuffed zucchini and then tomato broth which adds to the overall taste. One can taste Kousa Mahshi at the Al Shami House Restaurant that is nestled on Salwa Road of Doha. One of the best Qatari food in Doha, tasting Kousa Mahshi at Al Shami House Restaurant has to be the right choice considering the authentic taste that the restaurant offers. One can find dining along with takeaway and delivery facility at the restaurant while as far as the traditional delicacies are concerned, the restaurant has to be one of the top places to visit in Qatar for a genuine food taste.

Location: Salwa Rd, Doha, Qatar

7. Luqaimat At Chai Halib Café

Ever wondered about a sweet crunchy dumpling that so so easy to prepare yet tastes like heaven? Well, that's Luqaimat for you. One of those Qatar famous foods that one can easily find in the captial, Doha, Luqaimat is an Arabic dessert that looks like a dumpling but tastes sweet. Slthough there are many top of the line restaurants in some of the best hotels in Qatar that serve the delicacy, not many match the taste of Chai Halib Café. The café is widely famous amongst natives and is one of the signature restaurants in the city. Nestled in the mall of Qatar which is one of the main shopping places in Doha, one can easily head here and taste the authentic taste of Luqaimat. The restaurant is open all week and offers additional services like takeaway and so on. Hence, travelers can head here while shopping at the mall and taste Luqaimat at any time of the day.

Location: Signature Restaurants Area, Mall of Qatar, Doha, Qatar

8. Umm Ali At Karaki

Another fine delicacy that is widely famous in Qatar, Umm Ali means Ali's mother and is a traditional dessert that finds its origin in Egypt. Highly popular and one of the best sweets in Qatar, the dessert is, in fact, the national dessert of Egypt. One can think of this dessert to be similar to the bread pudding found in North America. Besides, if you’re wondering where to find it in Doha, there’s no better place than Karaki to taste Umm Ali in Doha. nestled in the Pearl, the restaurant offers a dine-in facility along with takeaway and so on.

Location: Andalucia Way, Medina Centrale, The Pearl, Doha, Qatar

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9. Kunafa at Al Aker in Souq Waqif

Kunafa is one of the most famous desserts in Middle Eastern cuisine which is either made with filo pastry or with semolina dough. The layers of Kunafa are filled with cheese and is soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup and is sprinkled with nuts and cinnamon on the top. The dish tastes scrumptious and melts heavenly in mouth. The dessert is quite popular in Egypt where it was prescribed by doctors to be eaten during Ramadan however, it can be eaten at any occasion. Some variants of this dessert are available at different places like Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Greece, Turkey and other places. If you are coming to Doha on a trip then, we would suggest you to try Kunafa at Al Aker Sweet shop which is quite a popular sweet shop in Souq Waqif.

Location: Al Aker Sweet Shop, Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar

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10. Khanfaroosh At Hawn Café

Neither a biscuit nor a cake, Khanfaroosh is something in between. Made from a dough which is soaked in a mixture of saffron and rosewater, deep-fried and sprinkled with sugar syrup or honey before being served. One of the best restaurants in Qatar to try Khanfaroosh is Hawn Café that serves the most delicious Khanfaroosh which you will not find anywhere else in Qatar. It is one of the best traditional food of Qatar which one must definitely try and is best served with mint tea.

Location: Al Markhiya St, Doha, Qatar

11. Rogag At Shay Al Shoomos Restaurant

Every cuisine is a fusion of one or two cuisines and it can be seen in Qatari cuisine as well. Rogag is one of the most traditional Qatari food which is made with a thin layer of dosa like batter which can be stuffed with wither meat or vegetables. Rogag is mostly preferred during breakfast but it can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Al Shoomos Restaurant is one of the best places to try Rogag where they serve it with egg but you can also order it with a pot of tea for a perfect breakfast meal.

Location: A 2 minutes' walk from Souq Waqif, Doha, Qatar

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Famous Drinks To Try In Qatar

Qatar is not only famous for its delectable dishes but also for its drinks. Local people like to have these drinks daily during the evenings or on special occasions. Let’s see what all drinks one must try when in Qatar.

12. Karak

Karak is one of the most famous drinks to try in Qatar which has become an integral part of Qatar’s tradition and lifestyle since many decades now and people like to have this drink at any time of the day, particularly in evenings. Karak tea is a drink that is made with black tea, evaporated milk and cardamom, additionally cloves, saffron and ginger can also be added to enhance its flavors and healing properties. Karak can be found at different restaurants in Doha or at any local vendor’s shop as this is quite a famous drink not only in Qatar but at different places in the world.

Main Ingredients: Milk, Cardamom and Evaporated milk

13. Arabic Coffee

Another tasty drink to try in Qatar is Arabic Coffee which is a favorite beverage of many people living in Qatar. Arabic Coffee is not only popular in Qatar but also in all the Middle Eastern countries. Arabic coffee is brewed using Arabic coffee beans and different countries have their own brewing technique and style that adds a different flavor to the drink. As an added spice and flavor, cardamom can also be added to the drink however, most people like to consume it plain or with added sugar.

Main Ingredients: Arabic coffee beans

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14. Sun Top

Sun Top is a packed flavored drink in Qatar that is quite popular among kids and elderly people. This is a refreshing drink that comes in different flavors like apple, orange, berry mix, grapes and others and tastes delicious. People like to carry this drink whenever they go for an outing to a park, beach or any other place. It is readily available at almost all the shops and kiosks in Qatar.

Main Ingredients: Comes in different flavors like apple, orange, berry mix, grapes

A country that keeps in giving whether you think of adventure on your holidays or a peaceful family trip, Qatar is not only renowned for its hospitality and art but it also has a wide range of dishes that travelers can enjoy, and there's no better place to try authentic dishes than the country's capital.

From serving the national dish of Qatar to some amazing stews and desserts, Doha is the place for you if you are a traveler and longing to try the delicacies of Qatar.

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