Joanna James
As one of the Middle East's most dynamic cities, Doha is also a culinary hotspot waiting to be discovered by foodies the world over. From tasty local snacks to wholesome traditional meals, here's what every visitor should dig into during a getaway in Doha.
The best place to order Kousa Mahshi during a trip to Doha is at Salwa RD as the venue prepares this courgette-like dish better than any other local eatery. Stuffed with a meat filling and seasoned with mint and parsley, Kousa Mahshi can also be enjoyed in its vegetarian variation thanks to the ingenuity of local chefs who replace the meat in the dish with chickpeas. Dipped in tomato sauce or yoghurt, this flavourful snack is the perfect pick-me-up at any time of the day.
This is a favourite snack among locals and expats due to its lightness and flavour. Made using vine leaves, the tasty treat is stuffed with a meat filling and even white rice. Seasoned with garlic, pepper powder, and coriander, Warak Enab tastes best when it is drizzled with a dash of lemon.
Those who are based at Al Najada Doha Hotel Apartments by Oaks or staying near the best restaurants in Doha will find this dish gracing the menu of many an eatery. A rich and decadent dish created with Omelette and vermicelli, the dish is seasoned with a combination of rosewater, sugar and saffron. A staple at every Eid-al-Fitr celebration, the dish's unusual ingredients make for a mind-blowing culinary experience for those who are savouring it for the first time.
Known as the country's National Dish, a trip to Doha would truly be incomplete without digging into a plate of this wholesome meal. Slow cooked to produce a soft texture, this meat dish is typically made using chicken or some other type of meat based on availability. Milk and a range of spices are also tossed into the pot to create the unusual mix of flavours Majboos is renowned for. Usually eaten with tomato sauce and steamed rice, some also consume this meal with a salad.
Porridge lovers should not miss the chance to sample a bowl of Madrouba during their stay in Doha. As a staple item in most restaurant menus, the Madrouba is a rich and healthy porridge that features chicken, butter, milk, and cardamom.
A must-have at every family gathering, Saloona is a traditional stew that's usually consumed with Arabic bread. The meat and vegetable infused broth are usually made using beef or fish or whatever meat item happens to be on hand. Known as a dish that can be made without too many ingredients, garlic and ginger remain the main sources of flavour in this stew. Nearly every traditional souq in Doha will serve its own variation of this dish.
A sweet treat that's often called the Arabic incarnation of a Chinese dumpling or doughnut, Luqaimat is another widely available snack in Doha. The dough made using saffron and cardamom among other ingredients is doused in sugar syrup before consumption.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
