Nourlaya

Nourlaya is an Indian restaurant on Al Khail Street in Msheireb Downtown Doha, Qatar. It has been named in a Property Finder guide to the best Indian restaurants in the city, a recognition that places it among the established choices in a city where Indian cooking is widely available because of the large resident Indian community. Msheireb Downtown is a modern district built around restored traditional courtyard houses, with pedestrian streets and a contemporary architectural style that give the restaurant a polished urban setting. The menu centres on North Indian cooking, with rich, slow-simmered curries such as butter chicken, dal and lamb preparations; biryani, the layered rice dish cooked with spices and meat or vegetables, which is the emblematic one-pot meal of the Indian subcontinent; and tandoori grills, which are marinated meats, paneer and breads cooked in a clay oven. Naan, roti and paratha accompany the curries, and vegetarian options are plentiful. Dishes are designed for sharing, so groups usually order several curries, a biryani and a basket of breads. The mood is relaxed and comfortable, with a family and business clientele and a moderate noise level; dress is smart casual. Alcohol is not typically served, so the drink list centres on lassi, juices, masala chai and soft drinks. Prices are mid-range, at about QAR 100 to 200 per person, which is higher than the budget canteens of Old Al Ghanim but reflects the more polished setting. Service is reported daily for lunch and dinner, and hours should be verified before visiting. Reservations are advised for dinner, especially on Thursday and Friday evenings when the district is busy; booking a day or two ahead is usually enough. Msheireb Downtown has a metro station and is within walking distance of Souq Waqif, making the restaurant easy to reach without a car.