Whether you’re visiting or living in Doha, trying most popular Qatari cuisines is a must. Even with Doha emerging as one of the richest cities on the globe, it still steeps in its customs. Local food here paints the city’s irresistible contrast with exquisite fine dining experiences paired with traditional street food influenced by a variety of food from across the Middle East. Intrigued? Here’s more -
Boasting a large expat community, Doha boasts a jaw-dropping food scene buzzing with cuisines from all around the world. From Indian to Italian and American to African, this capital city of Qatar offers a flourishing dining experience, with a collection of incredible dining spots owned or run by world-renowned chefs.
Whether you fancy dining an authentic Middle Eastern mezze, feast on fiery Indian curries, or crave Italian goodies, you’re bound to find it in Doha.
Here’s the list of top ten best restaurants in Doha for an amazing variety of culinary styles and facilities.
Hakkasan Doha
Set within the gardens of the St. Regis Hotel, Hakkasan Doha is an opulent restaurant, with two private dining areas and the Ling Ling lounge. The award-winning menu of the restaurant encompasses mouth-watering plates such as baked, steamed and fried dim sum, Peking duck with Beluga caviar, Wok-fry hammour with lao gan ma sauce, and Hakka fried dim sum platter. You’ll also find a great variety of rice and noodles, poultry, soup, fish, tofu and seafood. Come and taste authentic Qatari dishes paired with premium cocktails, wines and desserts.
Opening hours:
Dinner: Daily (7:00 pm – 11:30 pm)
Brunch at Hakkasan: Friday (12:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Taste of Hakkasan (Lunch): Saturday (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Bar: Daily (6: pm – 1:00 am)
Address: St. Regis Doha, Al Gassar Resort, Doha, Qatar
Phone : +974 4446 0170
IDAM by Alain Ducasse
IDAM is Alain Ducasse's first restaurant in the Middle East. Settled like a jewel in the crown, this restaurant found its place in the Museum of Islamic Art. At this dining spot, you can taste some flavoursome collection of contemporary French Mediterranean cuisines boasting an Arabic hint. Philippe Starck’s exquisite decor packs this restaurant with a sophisticated atmosphere. Try specialties like locally-caught red mullet, red leaf salad and confit citrus, marinated red snapper with citrus, delicate shrimp and hibiscus broth, IDAM chocolate and Bastani and pistachio succès.
Opening hours:
Saturday – Thursday (Closed Friday)
Lunch: 12:30 - 03:00 PM
Dinner: 07:00 - 10:00 PM
Address: Museum of Islamic Art, 5th Floor, Corniche Promenade
Phone : +974 4422 4488
Riva
Savour the authentic flavours of Italy served up fresh on your table at Riva. This stunning restaurant boasts contemporary Italian décor and cuisines with an Arabic twist. You can choose to dine indoor or outdoor on the garden terrace, which overlooks the wonderful Gulf. The restaurant’s magnificent architecture and excellent location set a postcard-perfect backdrop. Don’t miss on Gamberoni Alla Griglia, Ravioli Ricotta E Spinaci, and Branzino at Riva.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 1.00 pm – 10.00 pm (closed on Sunday)
Address: Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara
Phone : +974 4040 5116
Al Sufra
Al Sufra is a Levant-inspired restaurant which celebrates the festivals and seasons of the Levant in its ancient culinary art. This award-winning restaurant in Doha serves up a blend of traditional recipes, flavours and aromas from Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Jordan. Featuring a coffee lounge, a la carte dining and an open terrace, Al Sufra keeps open throughout the day. Its must-try specialities are Al Sufra's Chicken Makloubeh, and it offers delicious Bohemian delights too.
Opening hours:
All day dining: Mon – Sun from 12:30 - 00:00
Address: Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl, Doha
Phone : +974 4035 5011
Market by Jean-Georges
This contemporary European restaurant in Doha feels entirely like home. The menu at Market Doha includes dishes inspired by the greatest hits of classic Jean-Georges Vongerichten cuisine which combines comfort and creativity. Guests can try new flavour combinations and explore a surprising variety of spices from other regions. Some of its most-loved dishes are Crispy Calamari, King Crab Cocktail, Caramelized Octopus and Market Cheeseburger.
Opening hours:
Tuesday- Thursday: 5 - 10 PM
Friday- Saturday: 5 - 11 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM - 3 PM
Monday: Closed
Address: W Doha Hotel & Residences West Bay, Doha
Phone: +974 4453 5000
Zengo Doha
Recreated by the Celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval, Zengo is located on the 61st floor of The Kempinski Residences and Suites. This luxurious restaurant in Doha represents an artful combination of Asian style and flavours cooked using ingredients from all around the world. You will have panoramic views of Doha cityscape and the sea while having appetising food. The menu offers a stunning variety of Asian cuisines including dim sun, tempura, sushi, stir fries, and dumplings.
Opening hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 12pm - 12am
Friday: 12:30pm - 12am
Address: Kempinski Residences & Suites, Doha
Phone : +974 4405 3560
Pure - DoubleTree
Pure is an open-air bar settled at the top of DoubleTree by Hilton. The fascinating thing about this dining spot is it offers some great, signature cocktail concepts and a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city. Primarily a bar, Pure is known for BBQ and bruschetta on its menu. Paired with live music and DJ, it’s a must-visit restaurant in Doha for music plus food lovers.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 12:00pm to 2:00am
Address: Al Meena St, Doha
Contact: +974 4034 3333
Layali
Repeatedly titled as Doha’s best Lebanese restaurant by tourists, Layali is a paradise for hummus-eating and shisha-smoking in perfect Arabian Nights settings. This genuinely branded restaurant in Doha offers an ideal ambiance to experience exquisite cuisine. You will find traditional Shisha offered in tobacco flavours and live singers of Tareb music who play the old-fashioned Arabic instrument called Oud and impeccable Lebanese hospitality. With all these, dining at Layali certainly feels a diving and memorable venture.
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am – 11:30 pm
Friday: 1:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 am – 11:30 pm
Address: PO 22138, Souq Najd, Salwa Road, Doha
Contact: +974 4431 0005
The Cellar
When it comes to mouth-watering food paired with unforgettable moments, visit The Cellar at Oryx Rotana in Doha. Serving an exquisite selection of cuisines, including Mediterranean-inspired tapas paired with premium drinks, in an extraordinary Spanish ambiance, The Cellar is one of the best restaurants in Doha. Additionally, don’t forget the bite-size whoopie pie, grilled asparagus with cheese fondue, chicken liver pate with caramelised pear, and grilled salmon with fennel and orange.
Opening hours:
Lunch: Everyday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Saturday brunch: 12.30 Noon - 5:00 PM
Set dinner: 7 PM - 11:00 PM (except Saturday & Tuesday)
Happy Hour: Daily from 9:30 PM – 11:30 PM (except Thursday and Friday)
Address: Al Nahda School Street, Doha
Contact: +974 4402 3454
Ruby Wu's
Within the walls of the Doha Radisson Blu Hotel is a mini Chinatown, serving sizzling moreish dumplings, sizzling beef and spicy snapper. Ruby Wu’s is a perfect dining spot to have some fine Chinese food before embarking on the nocturnal activities Doha offers. Chefs at the restaurant twist traditional Chinese dishes using international flavours, meaning everybody will find something great to their taste buds here. There is also a licensed bar, well-stocked with premium beverages
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Contact: +974 4428 1428
So, if you happen to be in Doha and looking for a fine dining experience, pick one of these restaurants in Doha.
