Doha is Qatar's capital, a Gulf waterfront city where the Museum of Islamic Art, the traditional Souq Waqif, the Katara Cultural Village and the glass towers of West Bay sit within a short drive of each other.
Doha dines on Gulf Arabic staples such as machboos, harees and balaleet, alongside Levantine, Persian and Yemeni kitchens clustered around Souq Waqif. Because the population is overwhelmingly expatriate, Indian, Filipino, Pakistani and East African food is everywhere, from budget karak counters to Michelin-recognised hotel restaurants. Alcohol is served only in licensed hotel restaurants.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Doha.
Machboos
Spiced rice with chicken, lamb or fish, the best-known Gulf home dish.
Where to try: Al Jasra Traditional Food, Souq Waqif
Price: About QAR 50–120 (~$14–33)
Harees
Slow-cooked wheat and meat porridge, served at festive meals.
Where to try: Al Jasra Traditional Food, Souq Waqif
Price: About QAR 30–70 (~$8.2–19)
Khobiz regag with karak
Thin Qatari flatbread served with sweet milky karak tea.
Where to try: Shay Al Shomous, Souq Waqif
Price: About QAR 25–60 (~$6.9–16)
Karak chai
Strong spiced tea boiled with evaporated milk, sold everywhere.
Where to try: Tea Time or Chapati and Karak
Price: About QAR 1–5 (~$0.3–1.4)
Yemeni stone-pot stews
Stews cooked and served in stone pots with fresh bread, eaten sitting on the floor.
Where to try: Bandar Aden, Souq Waqif
Price: About QAR 40–90 (~$11–25)
Shawarma and mezze
Levantine wraps and small plates, widely available at all hours.
Where to try: Damasca One, Souq Waqif
Price: About QAR 15–60 (~$4.1–16)
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Indian
Filipino
Karak Tea And Sandwiches
Food tours & tastings in Doha
Eat your way through Doha with a guide.
Browse food experiences in DohaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Chapati rolls and karak
Flavoured chapati rolls with karak tea, a snack-priced Doha staple.
Find it at: Chapati and Karak, Katara Cultural Village
Karak from a street counter
Takeaway karak served from small counters with no seating.
Find it at: Tea Time counters, including the Souq Waqif branch
Arabic bread and sweets
Flatbread and date-based sweets sold along the Souq Waqif alleys.
Find it at: Souq Waqif alleys
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Souq Waqif
Restored market quarter with spice, date and sweets stalls, plus dozens of restaurants and cafes along Abdullah Bin Jassim Street and the surrounding alleys.
Hours: Daily; shops often close mid-afternoon and reopen in the evening, with restaurants open late
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Friday lunch is the busiest meal of the week; book ahead for hotel restaurants.
Alcohol is served only in licensed hotel restaurants and bars; independent restaurants are alcohol-free.
A service charge and municipality fee are commonly added to hotel restaurant bills, so the receipt should be checked before tipping.
During Ramadan, restaurants generally open only after sunset, and eating or drinking in public during daylight hours is not permitted.
Souq Waqif is busiest from 19:00 to 23:00, and a short stroll away from the main promenade lowers prices.
Cards are accepted in most restaurants; small cafes and karak counters may prefer cash in riyals.
- Vegetarian
- Easy in Indian restaurants such as Saravana Bhavan and Aryaas, and at Levantine places that serve mezze, hummus and falafel.
- Vegan
- Possible at South Indian vegetarian restaurants; dishes without ghee or yoghurt should be requested.
- Halal
- Meat served outside licensed hotel venues is halal; pork is sold only in licensed hotel outlets.
- Gluten free
- Limited; grilled meats, rice dishes and salads are the safest orders.
- Allergies
- Nuts, sesame and dairy are common in Arabic sweets; allergies should be stated clearly when ordering.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | About QAR 5–40 (~$1.4–11) per meal | Karak counters, chapati rolls, South Indian vegetarian restaurants and Filipino eateries. |
| Mid-range | About QAR 60–200 (~$16–55) per meal | Souq Waqif sit-down restaurants such as Damasca One, Bandar Aden and Parisa, and Msheireb Indian dining. |
| Upscale | About QAR 450–1,400 (~$124–385) per meal | Hotel and museum fine dining such as Nobu Doha, Morimoto Doha and Idam by Alain Ducasse. |