By Rohini Gulipilli
● Last Updated : 29 Jan 2025
Food Hospitality
Visiting Qatar? Apart from its mesmerising views, are you wondering what are the most popular foods in Qatar? Then don't miss the chance to indulge in its delicious local cuisine. Food is at the heart of Qatari culture, bringing people together with rich flavors and authentic traditions. The culinary scene beautifully combines traditional food of Qatar with regional influences. Here are the 15 most flavourful popular foods in Qatar that you can’t miss.
Majboos is one of Qatar’s most popular and cherished national dishes. Made with chicken or lamb and basmati rice, it is slow cooked to perfection, infused with a creamy mix of tomatoes, onions, yogurt, and spices like saffron, cumin, and cinnamon. Served with salad, yogurt, or a tomato based sauce, Majboos is a comforting favorite in Qatari cuisine. Traditionally, it is cooked in a special clay or metal pot called a 'degs,' enhancing its rich flavor and authenticity.
Majboos, Best Food in Qatar
Harees is a traditional Middle Eastern porridge made from wheat, commonly enjoyed during Ramadan, Eid, and other festive occasions. The dish is prepared by soaking, grinding, and cooking wheat with water, then mixing it with meat until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency. It is typically served with a dollop of ghee (clarified butter) on top and can be garnished with ground cinnamon or sugar. A staple in Qatari cuisine, Harees is often enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or main meal.
Harees, Best Food in Qatar
A classic Moroccan comfort soup, harira is made with tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, fresh herbs, dried spices, and meat, creating a hearty and satisfying dish. While it is enjoyed year round, it is especially popular for breaking the fast during Ramadan. Harira can be served as an appetizer or a main course, depending on the portion size, and is typically accompanied by lemon slices for added flavor.
Hareira, Best Food in Qatar
Saloona is a traditional Qatari stew made with meat, typically lamb or chicken, and a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, carrots, and potatoes. The ingredients are slow cooked together with spices and seasonings, resulting in a flavorful and hearty dish. Saloona can be enjoyed on its own or served with rice and is especially popular during celebrations and special occasions in Qatar.
Saloona, Best Food in Qatar
A Ramadan favorite, also known as 'beaten porridge,' is a dish made by cooking rice, milk, butter, and cardamom together until it reaches a mushy consistency. Some variations include chicken or other meats, stewed alongside chickpeas or other beans, adding depth and flavor to the dish.
Madruba, Best Food in Qatar
Quzi is a traditional Iraqi and Qatari dish made with rice and a whole roasted lamb or goat. It is often served on special occasions such as weddings and Eid al Adha. The lamb is sometimes stuffed with nuts, raisins, and a variety of spices before being roasted or cooked in underground ovens. Seasoned with cinnamon, cardamom, and baharat, an aromatic spice blend. Quzi is typically served on a bed of fragrant rice, making it a flavorful and festive centerpiece.
Quzi, Best Food in Qatar
Balaleet is a traditional Gulf dish (popular in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and beyond) that combines sweet and savory flavors. Typically enjoyed for breakfast, it is made with vermicelli, cardamom, sugar, and sometimes rose water or saffron for added fragrance. Balaleet is usually topped with an omelet, creating a unique and flavorful dish.
Balaleet, Best Food in Qatar
Stuffed grape leaves, known as Warak Enak, are a popular dish across many Middle Eastern cuisines, but those from Qatar are particularly delicious. Warak Enak is typically made with rice and minced beef or lamb, seasoned with coriander, pepper, and garlic. The dish tastes best when served with fresh lemon slices. Often enjoyed as a side dish or appetizer, Warak Enak is considered a staple of Qatari cuisine.
Warak Enab, Best Food in Qatar
Another popular Middle Eastern dish in Qatar is Kousa Mahshi. It consists of courgettes stuffed with minced lamb, vegetables, and flavored with parsley and mint. Many eateries in Doha also offer vegetarian versions made with chickpeas. For a complete experience, enjoy them with a dip of yogurt or tomato paste.
Kousa Mahshi, Best Food in Qatar
The Middle East is almost synonymous with Shawarma, and Qatar is no exception. Shawarma is made from boneless chicken or beef strips that are stacked and grilled on a rotating skewer. As it cooks, the meat’s crispy edges are sliced into pieces and wrapped in bread, often accompanied by sauce, pickles, and fries. Depending on the region whether Lebanese, Syrian, Turkish, or 'Arabic' the bread can range from thick circular buns to flat pita bread or paper thin saj or Arabic khubz. Shawarma is a popular traditional dish across most Middle Eastern menus, often served as a platter or as an appetizer in bite-sized chunks.
Shawarma, Best Food in Qatar
Falafel is a popular street food across the Middle East. It is a vegan and vegetarian dish, made from ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with spices and herbs. The mixture is shaped into small balls or patties, then deep fried until crispy. Falafel is typically served in pita bread, stuffed with the fried balls or patties and topped with various ingredients such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and tahini sauce.
Falafel, Best Food in Qatar
Sambosa, or Sambusak, is found in cuisines from China to Africa. The South Asian version is larger with a thick crust and potato filling, while the Arabic version is smaller with thin crusts filled with minced beef, spinach, or cheese. These little flavor-packed treats are often served as an appetizer or alongside evening Karak, paired with chutney.
Sambosa, Best Food in Qatar
Ragag bread is one of the most popular types of bread in the Gulf and a favorite treat among Qatari locals. These thin, delicate crepes are best enjoyed hot, paired with Karak tea or kebabs. Another delicious way to savor Ragag is by slathering it with toppings like cheese, honey, eggs, and mhyawa (a thick fish paste), which can be spread on the bread while it cooks. When folded or rolled into a cone shape, Regag has a crispy, wafer like texture.
Regag Bread, Best Food in Qatar
One of the most delicious and famous foods in Doha and all of Qatar is Luqaimat. Enjoyed at any time of day, this sweet treat resembles a doughnut in flavor and texture but has the rounded shape of a dumpling. It’s made from soft dough seasoned with cardamom, saffron, and sugar, then deep fried to form a crispy layer that contrasts with its soft interior. Luqaimat is typically served dipped in honey or syrup. While it’s especially popular as a dessert during Ramadan, it can also be enjoyed as a snack with Arabic coffee.
Luqaimat, Best Food in Qatar
Qatari Karak is a traditional Arabian tea popular in Qatar and nearby regions. Made with black tea, cardamom, and sugar, it is typically served with a savory snack called 'Chebab.' Known for its strong flavor with a hint of sweetness. It is traditionally served in small cups, often accompanied by dates or other sweets. Karak is truly a staple of Qatari culture.
Karak, Must-try in Qatar
I bet your mouth is watering just thinking about all the delicious local dishes Qatar has to offer. Qatar is so much more than just the FIFA spotlight, whether you're planning your visit or you're already here, these 15 popular foods in Qatar that you can’t miss. Must try during your time in Qatar. And that's not all. Qatar also offers 89 other exciting things to do in Qatar that will make your visit even more unforgettable.
Rohini Gulipilli
For there's no greater love than the love for wandering – Rohini swears by this and follow this by heart. Her articles portrays the way she is – clear and confident.
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