Joanna James
Qatari cuisine is a fusion of Arabian, Indian, African and Mediterranean traditional dishes. Which at times can be quite confusing because you are faced with such a huge variety in Doha. Some of the best eateries and most popular dishes are often overlooked by foreigners because of ignorance, a pity really to miss out on the treats. This article on how to eat like a local in Doha will update you on the types of food to try and where to go for an authentic local foodie experience.
Machboos is one of the more popular dishes in Doha and the entire nation. It is quite similar to the Indian biriyani and is cooked with meat, rice and a heady mix of fragrant spices. The dish is often the main meal on special occasions and is widely available at local eateries, as well as hotels in Doha. If you happen to stay at the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli, then you can easily visit the Souq Waqif next door and sample the array of local dishes. Stopping for coffee and an evening meal is an iconic part of any Doha tour and you can make the most of it when staying at hotels near Souq Waqif. Also, you may find these hotels offer a range of perks with the best hotel deals in Doha.
Camel meat is widely eaten in Qatar and you will find it is used in a variety of dishes. Choose to sample the meat in a shawarma wrap, or with a plate of steaming hot machboos, like kebabs and a variety of other treats.
Another popular dish is fatayer a type of pie made with cheese, meat and spinach. Dates are a staple snack in the Middle East and are cherished for their many nutritional benefits. Ajwa dates are the commonest variety found in Doha; the favoured kind is the more expensive Medjool date. During the Ramadan fasting season prices of dates will soar as they are eaten to sustain energy before a fast begins.
During the Ramadan fasting season, five-star hotels offer an elaborate spread for Iftar. This refers to the meal eaten at the end of a fast after evening prayers have been offered. The food on offer is a variety of traditional savoury and sweet dishes and certainly worth sampling.
Sweets are quite the treat in Qatar, and you certainly won’t be stuck for choice. Qatayef is one of the decadent choices on offer and comprises a pancake or pastry pocket filled with a mix of cream cheese and syrup. The pockets are then deep-fried to a golden brown.
Luqaiymat is a dough ball that’s deep-fried and soaked in thick syrup while the popular milk pudding infused with rosewater and the fragrance of cardamoms is served with a sprinkling of nuts. If your accommodation is at a Souq Waqif hotel do head over to the bazaar and purchase a pot of Yemeni honey. Prices vary by quantity and quality, but you simply can’t go wrong with even the cheapest option because the honey is so good.
Local eateries are ideal for tourists seeking an authentic experience of Qatari food. One of the best places for seafood in Doha is the Katari Village. Visit the replica of a traditional village to sample the variety of Qatari street food. Seafood is especially delicious and available in a variety of dishes.
Shay Alshomous is a heavenly spot for meals, especially breakfast. Go there for plates of creamy scrambled egg and crispy flatbread as well as steaming hot glasses of chai karak.
Sufrat Magadna is another popular eatery serving a range of traditional dishes including machboos and other fragrant rice meals. Other local favourites served there include lentil porridge and caramelised tender lamb you are going to keep hankering for long after your fabulous holiday in Doha, Qatar.
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.
