Discover the rich flavors of Qatar with our guide to must-try foods. From the national dish Machboos, a spiced rice and meat delicacy, to the comforting porridge-like Harees, Qatar offers a culinary adventure for every palate: Savor Thareed, a hearty stew with vegetables and bread, or the versatile Chicken Saloona.
Experience Madrouba, a creamy rice porridge, and the stuffed zucchini dish, Kousa Mahshi. Don’t miss out on popular snacks like Falafel and Samboosa, and indulge in the beloved street food, Shawarma. Explore top dining spots such as Al Manchab, Hareem Al Sultan, and Souq Al-Wakrah, where these authentic dishes come to life. Join us as we uncover the best of Qatari cuisine, ensuring your culinary journey is as vibrant and diverse as the country itself.
Food to try in Qatar:
1. Machboos:
It is the national dish of Qatar. This dish features spiced rice, mixed with marinated meat or seafood, including chicken, beef, lamb, camel, and fish.
Machboos is one of the most popular Qatari dishes. They serve it with lemon juice sprinkled and rose water added on top, usually accompanied by a spicy salsa dip.
Where to eat:
- Al Manchab Restaurant
- The Panoor Restaurant
- Mykonos
2. Harees:
Harees are similar in consistency to porridge. Boiled or ground wheat, meat, and butter make up this dish. This dish is very popular during the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid.
To prepare this dish, soak the wheat overnight, then simmer it in water along with meat and butter. Garnish the dish with lemon juice, fresh coriander leaves, sugar, butter, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Where to eat:
- Hareem Al Sultan
- Harees Al-Walidah Mugalat
- Irani Souq
3. Thareed:
This dish is similar to a pot of stew. They prepare this dish with a blend of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and beans mixed with chicken or lamb.
They serve it with bread soaked in the stew, placed at the bottom of the dish. The beads are soft and full of flavors. Vendors serve this dish by covering the dish with tomato sauce and spices.
Where to eat:
- Hareesna
- Muglat Harees Al Waldah
- Evergreen
4. Chicken Saloona:
It is a classic Arabic stew. They prepare this dish with beef, fish, or lamb, sometimes including seasonal vegetables for added flavor. They flavor it with ginger and garlic.
Saloona typically combines a tomato-based broth with sauteed onion, garlic, ginger, and vegetables. They serve this dish with bread soaked in the flavor-rich broth, enhancing its taste.
Where to try:
- Walima, Mondrian Doha, West Bay Lagoon, Doha
- La Spiga
- Burj Al-Hamam
5. Madrouba:
It is a kind of rice porridge made with chicken. Madrouba literally means’ beaten rice.’ They prepare it with milk, butter, chicken, and cardamom.
They simmer this dish until it becomes mushy. There are a lot of variations in toppings so have a check before heading to a restaurant. They garnish this dish with cardamom-flavored ghee, fried onions, and dried limes.
Where to eat:
- Souq Al-Wakrah
- Al Bait Al Kuwaiti
- Al Manchab
6. Kousa Mahshi:
Kousa is an Arabic word for zucchini. It is stuffed squash or zucchini. The stuffing consists of various kinds of squash stuffed with meat and rice.
The vegetarian version of kousa mahshi stuffs a combination of chickpeas, bulger, and shredded cheese. They cook it on the stovetop or simmer it in a flavorful tomato broth until tender. They serve the kousa mahshi with meat stuffing hot, as a main course. Some restaurants flavor this dish with mint and garlic.
They usually serve it with a bowl of plain yogurt on the side.
Where to eat:
- Al Shami Home Restaurant
- Karaki
- Al Jasra Traditional Food
7. Falafel:
It is a popular vegan snack, breakfast, or appetizer in Qatar. Falafel makers shape little round or flat balls, by deep-frying them. They make these balls with chickpeas, fava beans, or both, mixing them with garlic, parsley, coriander, and tahini.
Vendors serve falafels in a pita or wrap them in flatbread or taboon. They top them with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzles of tahini-based sauces. Falafels are also used for making veggie burgers.
Where to eat:
- Falafel Alakawi
- Zater wa zeit
- Layali Al Qahira
8. Samboosa:
Samboosa or Samosa is the modern version of stuffed and fried dumplings or baked pastry with savory filling.
The filling is prepared with spiced potatoes, onions, peas, cheese, beef, and other meat, and lentils. You will find samboosa in different shapes including, triangular, cones, and half-moon shapes.
Samboosa is served with varieties of chutneys. This dish is eaten as a starter or a side snack with tea.
Where to eat:
- Delhi Bakery
- Soghaat
- W Doha Hotel & Residences, Spice market
9. Shawarma:
This is the most common street food in Qatar. Shawarma is made of boneless strips of chicken and beef. These strips are then stacked and grilled on a roasting skewer.
As the meat cooks the crispy edges are sliced and wrapped in a flat pita bread or round bun or Arabic ghubuz, or paper-thin saj. The stuffing includes sauces, pickles, and fries.
Shawarma is cut into bite-size pieces and served deconstructed on a platter. This dish is served as a main course.
Where to eat:
- Mashawi Al Arabi
- Jala Lebnan
- Al Bisana