Category: Food

August in Doha is the month you stop fighting the heat and just accept your fate as an indoor creature. This month’s hit list leans into that completely: an early morning coffee fix, a Bib Gourmand lunch worth the detour, a beachfront Peruvian favourite that’s found its groove again, and a Friday night that actually gives you a reason to get dressed up.

Bianco e Nero at La Spiga has launched a new Friday evening offer now worth a look, Juan Valdez is my new go-to for a proper breakfast that isn’t a hotel buffet, Hoppers remains the perhaps best value Michelin pick in the city, and La Mar Doha continues to prove its recent glow-up was worth the wait.

Here’s where I will be eating and drinking in Doha this August.

Bianco e Nero: La Spiga’s New Friday Night Offer in Doha

I have to give credit where it’s due here. I was at the launch of this new Friday theme night at La Spiga a couple of weeks back and, honestly, the food left me underwhelmed. I said so. Turns out I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, and the team took the feedback on board and went back to the drawing board. A week later I was invited back, and the difference really was, fittingly, black and white.

The concept is simple: two relaxed hours of shared plates and wine, and the revamped menu now sits firmly in the territory La Spiga does best. A whole burrata with a tangy cherry tomato compote, a silky carpaccio with truffle ricotta and marinated artichokes, and a fresh spinach salad. All land on the table, alongside the “black and white” platter itself: funky gorgonzola, wagyu coppa and bruschetta, best mopped up with their famously good oven-fresh focaccia.

There’s also a salad of roasted bell peppers that’s begging to be scooped onto that bread. It’s light, bright, shareable food, and it’s the kind of menu that nudges you to add a little extra from the a la carte – the calamari, always, for me.

The room on my recent visit was heaving with big groups, couples and families, all in exactly the right mood for it. Service kept pace, glasses stayed topped up, and two hours moved fast with good company.

My one lingering gripe is the wine list, still red, white, rosé, with the ever-present headache inducing Table Mountain haunting drinks menus across this city. I’m told it’s under review.

The details: Bianco e Nero at La Spiga by Paper Moon, W Doha, West Bay; Fridays 7pm–9pm; from QR149 for two hours of wine and antipasti; order this: it all lands on the table, so just dig in; good to know: it gets loud, there’s a live singer, and this is a genuinely good option for the non-brunch crowd.

Juan Valdez: QR55 Colombian Breakfast in Doha

I’ll admit, I slept on Juan Valdez for far too long. With several locations now dotted around the city, this little slice of Colombia has quietly become my favourite breakfast stop in Doha, and it’s nothing like the usual hotel spread. Think arepas, empanadas, pan de bono, and a properly strong Colombian brew that actually wakes you up rather than just decorating the table.

The breakfast options start from QR55, which in this city is still very fair for the quality and the portion. It’s unfussy, it’s fast, and it doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is: good coffee and a chance to try some Colombian food, served without fanfare.

The details: Juan Valdez, multiple locations across Doha; breakfast from QR55; order this: the arepas, non-negotiable; good to know: cappucinos cost extra!

La Mar Doha: The InterContinental’s Reimagined Peruvian Beachfront Restaurant

La Mar has been a beachfront staple at the InterContinental for years, but its recent redesign has given it a real jolt of energy. I have been a bit harsh on La Mar and the team in the past, but I can see that chef Frank is cooking dishes from his upbringing in Peru and this is showing in the food.

On a recent visit, I was impressed by the equal parts humble yet complex Amazonian Cebiche, with the tang of green mango.

The restaurant’s new look leans hard into Peru’s coastal roots, think curated art and design details that nod to the sea running through the whole space, bar and terrace included. Almuerzos by La Mar (Weekend Lunch): A five-course tasting menu featuring signature Peruvian dishes selected by Chef Frank, available on weekends for a minimum of two guests and is great opportunity to try the menu.

The details: La Mar Doha by Gastón Acurio, InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa; Sunset Hours Sunday–Wednesday 5pm–10pm, Thursday–Saturday 4pm–10pm, cocktails from QR35; order this: the ceviche, always; good to know: request a terrace table for the skyline view.

Hoppers: The Best Value Michelin Pick in Msheireb?

Hoppers has picked up a Bib Gourmand nod two years running now, in 2025 and again in 2026, and honestly, it’s still one of the smartest lunches in the city. Tucked into the heart of Msheireb, this unpretentious Sri Lankan and South Indian eatery doesn’t do fuss or fanfare, it just does genuinely tasty, distinctive food from a properly central location.

The eponymous fermented rice hoppers are the reason to book a table, but don’t stop there and the bone marrow varuval is rich and deeply savoury, and the green mango prawn curry is lush, tangy and exactly the kind of dish that makes you want to order rice just to mop up the sauce. Go with a few people and order across the menu.

Fair warning: some dishes here have real heat behind them, so pace yourself if you’re spice shy.

The details: Hoppers, Msheireb; from QR20; order this: the hoppers, the bone marrow varuval and the green mango prawn curry; good to know: some dishes can be properly spicy; verdict: perhaps the best value Michelin selection in town, order a few dishes and get stuck in.

And there we have it. That’s four reasons to leave the air conditioning this August, but Doha’s dining scene never sits still for long. Got somewhere I should be checking out, or already tried one of these?

Drop me a comment or find me on Instagram – and if you want this kind of recommendation landing in your inbox every week, subscribe to Life on the Wedge by Rachel Morris weekly newsletter so you never miss what’s actually worth it.

While you are here…

And my favourite ongoing project is the Rachel Recommends Google Map, the first of its kind in Qatar, every tried-and-tested spot I love, right there in your phone, updated weekly with fresh picks and information.

For deeper dives on food and the industry, I’m over on my Substack too. And you can read last month’s picks here.

Please note: while I pay for a large portion of the experiences I write about, I am sometimes provided meals or experiences free of charge or at a reduced rate. I am, however, under no obligation to give a positive review.

July in Doha means one thing: finding reasons to leave the air conditioning. This month’s dining hit list is doing exactly that, with four spots earning a place in my rotation.

Mykonos at the InterContinental Doha is serving up Greek island energy without the flight, Liang’s has the potential to become the best new happy hour in town, ADRIFT by Anda has nailed an Aperitivo Classico that actually tastes a little like Italy and not a hotel’s idea of it, and Mila’s Torba brunch is the kind of lazy, long-table family weekend ritual Doha needed more of.

Whether you’re after a sunset cocktail, a laid back weekend lunch, or somewhere new to add to the rotation this July, here’s where to eat and drink in Doha right now.

Mykonos

Can’t get to the Cyclades this summer? Mykonos at the Intercontinental Doha can at least give you a taste of the Aegean. This Greek spot just keeps reeling in the diners and a recent visit proved why. Fresh, clean flavors, generous portions and some very good sangria, which, while not entirely Greek, still hit the spot.

While the soulavki and lamb are both stars, I always head for the mezze style dips with freshly baked bread, the crisp calamari and other seafood. Special mention for the filo wrapped halloumi, tangy and given a touch of sweetness from a drizzle of honey. The Saturday Greek house band also brings the vibes.

If, like me, you haven’t visited for a while, now is the time.

The details: Mykonos at the Intercontinental Doha; open daily from 12.30pm; order this: all the dips; skip this: it’s a bit hot for the. outside terrace!

Liang Evenings

Liang Mandarin Oriental, Doha has finally entered the happy hour chat, and it seems to have been worth the wait. This mid-week offer is enough to get me out of the house and into hard pants after 6pm.

Guests are asked to choose between a hot or a cold platter, and I suggest strong-arming your happy hour partner into ordering one of each. The hot platter is a basket of their famed dumplings – four plump morsels in fact – each with their own unique flavor and texture. The cold platter features one of my favorite dishes in the city, a cold Sichuan spicy chicken, with that tingly pepper. As well as perfectly fried squid and a crispy beef morsel. All seemed designed to play into my obsessions, but are actually some of their most loved dishes.

Drinks are also a surprise, a choice from four, very strong themed cocktails as well as a red, white, and rose (no Table Mountain).

The details: Liang evenings at the Mandarin Oriental; Liang evenings at the Mandarin Oriental; Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 11pm; QR118 for three drinks and a three apps; Order this: take a friend and order both sets!

Apertivo Classico at ADRIFT Anda

Le Royal Méridien Doha (Lusail) is hidning in plain sight with this belting happy hour. Apertivo Classic is offered daily from 5pm to 7pm in ADRIFT Anda, and I have to say, is incredible value. QR95 for three drinks (off a select menu) which included a choice from four cocktails; two wines and two beers plus, a pretty sizeable charcuterie board.

The good thing is, this is offered every day but Sunday (when the restaurant is closed). Another positive, the wines are NOT Table Mountain (yes, there’s a theme here).

The details: Aperitivo Classico at ADRIFT ANDA; Monday to Saturday 5pm to 7pm; QR95 for three drinks and a platter with some nice wines but also, Negroni

Torba Brunch at Mila

Mila Rosewood Doha might one of the more underrated five star venues in the city, despite its accolades. This brunch, a collaboration with the excellent Torba Market سوق تربة team , sees produce from their farm incorporated into the Saturday lunch menu. It’s a relaxed, family friendly experience, with a kids play area and a select number of vendors from Torba’s popular market.

The menu is fresh and leans heavily into the Chef’s Lebanese repertoire. Salads and starters are to share, with an umami laden carob carrot salad with whipped feta being among the stars. We made fast work of this gorgeous tangle of flavors and textures. Diners then choose between two soups – this week a carrot or a summery tomato take. You then choose one of the mains, all from the chargrill but with different flavor profiles.

I devoured the tender Australian beef and pepper skewers dressed with a herby chimichurri. But the grilled half chicken, the skin perfectly charred, its sweetness being drawn out by a side of a corn puree, was also a hit.

The details: Torba lunch at Mila, Rosewood Doha; Saturdays 1pm to 4pm; QR285 including water and soft drinks; order this: the beef skewers are a real surprise; good to know: there isn’t an alcoholic drinks package.

That’s four reasons to leave the air conditioning this July but we know Doha’s dining scene moves fast, and there’s always something new worth your table time. Got a spot I should be checking out, or already tried one of these?

Drop me a comment or find me on Instagram — and if you want this kind of recommendation landing in your inbox every week, subscribe to Life on the Wedge so you never miss what’s actually worth it.

While you are here…

And my favourite ongoing project is the Rachel Recommends Google Map – the first of its kind in Qatar, every tried-and-tested spot I love, right there in your phone. And this is updated weekly with freh picks and information.

For deeper dives on food and the industry, I am over on my Substack too. And you can read last month’s picks here.

Please note: while I pay for a large portion of the experiences I write about, I am sometimes provided meals or experiences free of charge or at a reduced rate. I am, however, under no obligation to give a positive review.

Well, we made it to June and half way through the year. The thermometer is flirting with the mid-forties, half my feed is already posting from somewhere with a sea breeze, and the city has slipped into its summer rhythm – quieter dining rooms, smaller menus, and the diehards who, like me, refuse to let a little heat get between us and a good meal.

The upside of summer in Doha, well THIS summer, in Doha? The deals are flowing and the venues are working hard to lure us through the door. So here are four spots I have been loving this month – from a 44th-floor dim sum marathon to one of the finest tasting menus in the country.

Limitless Dim Sum at Yun

I will go a long way for good dim sum, and at Yun that “long way” is straight up — 44 floors up, to be precise, to the Waldorf Astoria’s glossy, 1930s-Shanghai-by-way-of-Doha dining room with views that do half the work before the trolley even arrives.
The unlimited dim sum offer is excellent value.

This is proper Cantonese cooking from a Michelin Guide selected kitchen, so we are not talking sad freezer dumplings on rotation – the har gau are plump and glassy, the xiao long bao actually deliver that little scald of soup, and the char siu buns are pillowy soft..

Pace yourself, because their Forbidden City roast duck is also lurking on the main menu (for an extra charge) and you will want room. It is not the cheapest dim sum in town, but for the room, the view and the quality, it earns its keep. Go hungry and go with people who understand that ordering “let’s do that again” is a binding friendship contract – the limit does not exist.

The details: Yun, 44th floor, Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay, Al Dafna. Unlimited dim sum on Mondays from 6pm, QR189 per person with two hours of drinks for an extra QR99.

Order this: everything on the menu. Skip this: lunch beforehand.

Steak Diane at Inginuity, Radisson Blu

Some of you will remember when this room at the Radisson Blu Doha was Maxim’s – secret lift, retro velvet furnishing, the lot. Inginuity has kept those good bones and turned them into a proper little Parisian-leaning bistro-bar, complete with one of the better gin lists in the city. But we are here for the theatre and for Jimmy, who is as much of an institution as the hotel itself.

The Steak Diane is flambéed tableside by Jimmy, and yes, I am a sucker for a bit of fire and showmanship with my dinner. The Aussie tenderloin arrives, after the baptism of fire, in that classic creamy, peppery, mustard-forward sauce, finished right in front of you – and the genuine surprise is the price. At around QR129, it is, pound for pound, some of the best value steak in Doha.

The kitchen’s UK love affair shows up in the smaller plates too, so don’t sleep on the beef pie and the proper fish and chips (with malt vinegar and mushy peas)! It is old-school in the best possible way: a bit of drama, a proper cocktail, and a dish that has earned its loyal following.

The details: Inginuity, Radisson Blu Hotel Doha, C-Ring Road / Salwa Road, Muntazah. Open from 12pm daily. Order this: the Steak Diane, obviously. Skip this: sitting too far from the flambé trolley.

Cozy Curry

As you know, I have a soft spot for the small, neighborhood places, and Cozy Curry is exactly the sort of unfussy, do-one-thing-well spot Doha needs more of. Japanese curry is the ultimate comfort food – that thick, glossy, gently sweet roux, not a chilli-forward curry but a hug-in-a-bowl curry. And when you top it with a panko cutlet fried to a proper shattering crunch, well, that is a very good eating day, as I like to say.

The katsu here is, at the time of visiting, chicken only and is tender, with a little and the curry has that ideal balance of savoury depth and a whisper of sweetness, with the rice on the right side of sticky. I like my curry sauce a little darker and stormier, but I suspect this version will appeal to a broad audience.

Here, your starting point is the gravy and rice, then you add the protein, veggies and other additions. They have added some new toppings since my initial visit and take my advice and ask for the spicy katsu curry sauce.

The details: Cozy Curry, Salata, 12pm to 11pm. Base curry gravy and rice from QR32; toppings from QR3 upwards. Order this: the katsu curry (obvs). Skip this: Didn’t love the chicken kaarage.

Echoes of Spring Menu at IDAM

And now for something at the very top end. IDAM by Alain Ducasse holds a Michelin star, was named the best restaurant in Qatar at MENA’s 50 Best 2026, and sits on the fifth floor of the Museum of Islamic Art in that jaw-dropping Philippe Starck designed dining room – black carpet etched in white calligraphy, Baccarat crystal, and the Doha skyline laid out like a perfect tableaux.

The new seasonal menu is the way to do it properly. It is the full Ducasse-in-Doha vision – French technique threaded through with a touch of Qatar, courtesy of Executive Chef Fabrice Rosso . And the little rituals are half the joy: choosing your water glass from the wall of Murano, the precision plating, and mixologist’s mocktail pairings that are built to complement each dish rather than just sit beside it. Oh, and yes, the butter cart.

This Echoes of Spring menu is 10 courses, including mocktail pairing (yes, it’s back), water, tea and coffee, for QR550. And this is smart – it’s a true taste of IDAM, all inclusive in fact. The dishes are smaller, yes, but they come in groups, smart casual kind. Leaning into the feedback that people want a more compact dining experience. Anyone who has been victimized by a multi course, four hour eternal tasting menu will attest.

And the food, yes it still impresses. A tiny marinated translucent carabineros shrimp, those expensive Spanish crustaceans, is sweet/salty and given an almost floral taste thanks to elderflower (florals, for spring, groundbreaking). Discs of blue lobster, cooked on coals, comes with zingy cumquat and surprising curry oil. This is a special-occasion splurge, no question – but it is also one of the genuinely great meals you can have in this city, and worth every riyal.

The details: IDAM by Alain Ducasse, 5th floor, Museum of Islamic Art, Corniche. Echoes of Spring, 10 courses for QR550. Order this: just sit back in your white leather seat and enjoy the experience. Skip this: rushing – give it the whole evening.

And there we are… four very different ways to eat well in Doha this June, from a dumpling marathon in the clouds to a Michelin-starred Experience with stunning views.

While you are here…

Are you getting my weekly Life on the Wedge newsletter yet? If not — why not? Sign up here.

And my favourite ongoing project is the Rachel Recommends Google Map — the first of its kind in Qatar, every tried-and-tested spot I love, right there in your phone.

For deeper dives on food and the industry, I am over on my Substack too. And you can read last month’s picks here.

Please note: while I pay for a large portion of the experiences I write about, I am sometimes provided meals or experiences free of charge or at a reduced rate. I am, however, under no obligation to give a positive review.

How can we be in Q2 already? April was a weird one, and the uncertainty continues into May. Some places are closed, menus reduced, staffing too. But there are still some great meals to be had, and our restaurant friends are working overtime to get us through the doors.

So here are some places I have been loving over the past couple of months and keep going back to.

Indian Flavors

Indian Flavors in Tawar Mall boasts its cuisine was “once cooked for emperors” and frankly I’m ready for the royal treatment. The menu is heavily focused on Mughlai cuisine, a rich, aromatic culinary style developed in India by the Mughal Empire, fusing Central Asian and Persian influences with local Indian spices. It’s famous for slow-cooking techniques and tandoor cooking, marinating meat in yogurt, and making rich, cashew-based sauces. It encompasses the cities now known as Kolkata and Bengaluru – both with excellent food traditions.

Shahi Murgh Musallam (QR120), a whole chicken marinated in a ginger-garlic paste, stuffed with boiled eggs, keema and seasoned with saffron, cinnamon, cloves, poppy seeds, cardamom and chilli. It’s a spectacular dish, carved at the table, the flavors layered and rich but not overwhelming.

Gosht rezala (QR55) aromatic Bengali white curry is a silky yogurt-based gravy and delicate spices. It is a staple of Kolkata cuisine, and this take is slightly tangy, but not very spicy, offering a smooth, luxurious texture.

There are also more familiar dishes – their grilled kebabs (QR199) are juicy and the charring spot on. The potato stuffed Punjabi style samosa are giant, served as an imposing duo, with all expected spices and sauces. There is also, of course, a well executed butter chicken (QR48), a little on the sweet side, a but also savory. And don’t skip the luxurious gosht ki biryani, arriving bone in, the meat soft, falling off the bone into the layered spiced rice (QR58). The architectural “Volcano” chaat, a riot of tangy flavors and yes, it looks like a (very tall) volcano.

Don’t skip the breads – I love an Indian flatbread and these do not disappoint like the stuffed soft kulcha (QR12).

Loaded Spud and Pizza Cone

A new concept hailing from South Africa, Loaded’s star of the show is, the potato. Their hand cut fries are excellent. These accompanied two dishes I tried, including the “Slap Chip” . Slap chips are a South African, comfort-food classic – thick-cut fries known for being soft, soggy, and tangy rather than crispy. They are made by cooking potatoes in low-temperature oil, or starting them in cold oil, followed by a generous dousing of white vinegar and salt, often creating a “steaming” effect in their packaging. The carby Chicken Vienna Parcel (QR35) came with a generous mix of juicy chicken sausage and spicy sauce an yeah, it’s not pretty but it didn’t last long in my house.

The chips (not slapped) also came with a rather excellent pepper steak pie (QR36), all crumbly short crust pastry, the beef slow cooked in a robust gravy. Certainly among the best pies I have had in Doha lately and will certainly have a few in the market scurrying.

South African comfort food it seems is a hearty blend of indigenous, Dutch, Malay, and Indian influences, and all these flavors are on display. The concept is actually loaded baked “spuds” and pizza cones. I eschewed the pizza variation for a gigantic Mexican baked potato, “loaded” with beef mince, guacamole and various fixings. I need to know where they source these colossal spuds. The mix of flavors is tangy, and spicy, aided and abetted by a white cheese. Other menu items include jaffles (like toasted sandwiches), various kinds of filled “spuds”, burgers, and weekly specials including bunny chow.

The Croffle Burger at The Ned Doha

The Ned Doha’s Croffle Burger is not for the faint hearted but it’s excellent. I’m going to claim some responsibility for this. The suggestion for the Croffle Burger came up when I was having a conversation with The Ned Doha team a few weeks ago. I was taken with their new sweet croissant/waffle hybrid at Millies and mused it would make a great burger (or a sandwich). A few weeks later, and here it is on the menu at the Electric Diner.

And, wow, the culinary team have outdone themselves. The “croffle” part comes from freshly made croissants “toasted” in a waffle maker. The rest is the makings of their excellent Electric Burger – a spicy sauce, two quality beef slightly smashed patties with the right amount of char, pickles, onions and of course, cheese.

At QR120 – it comes with cajun fries and coleslaw.

Business Lunch at Zengo Doha

It’s been a while between visits for me to Zengo, and I am always struck by it’s stunning room and views across the city. We visited on a clear and warn weekday, lured by their QR99 business lunch. I am a business lady but I rarely have time for a business lunch, given I’m usually scurrying around the city.

but the Zengo business lunch runs to a leisurely 4pm and offers three alluring courses. Each course has three options. This includes their execellent salmon maki roll, a papaya salad and chicken karaage for starters. I was pleased to see their excellent green curry chicken still on the menu, alongside a Mongolian beef and miso glaze salmon.

Desserts include a lush sticky toffee pudding and a matcha cheesecake. I appreciate Zengo also includes one drink (soft drink or water) with their lunch offering, making it one of the most solid in town right now.

Oodles Wok

Hear me out, Oodles Wok, this almost takeaway only spot has one o the better “spice bags” in Doha right now. OK, it doesn’t have a curry sauce, but their spicy chips with chicken is close enough.

The rest of the menu splits into “saucy” and “dry dishes”, harking back to the “Indian Chinese” tradition in the UK. And I’m not made about it, because when they say saucy, it’s saucy, and a little spicy. There are also noodles, snacks like spring rolls and more on the compact menu.

Last Batch Concept Kitchen in Mashaf Crossing

It may surprise you that I spend a lot of time in Al Wakra. It’s not far from me, I pretend to be a pilates girlie at a studio there and, then there is Mashaf Crossings. This is one of the new breed of “outdoor mall” in Qatar, a strip mall almost. Community based, cafes, gyms (and said pilates).

Newly opened at this venue is Last Batch, one of my favorite speciality coffee shops in Doha. Considered, well made brews, engaging staff and at this location, a concept kitchen with dishes to try. Yes, it’s mobbed right now, but worth leaving the Doha bubble to check out this cool place.

And there we are…my recommendations for some tasty eats in Qatar this May.

While you are here…

Are you getting my weekly Life on the Wedge newsletter? If not, why not? Sign up here. 

And perhaps my favorite new-ish project is my Rachel Recommends Google Map – the first of its kind in Qatar, all my favorite, tried and tested spots in your phone!

We have some exciting and exclusive offers and events planned for the rest of the year! I have launched my substack which is a platform for some deeper explorations of topics around food. 

You can read my other reviews here.

Please note:
While I pay for a large portion of my experiences that I write about, I am sometimes provided meals and other experiences free of charge or at a reduced rate. However, I make it clear that I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

Most of my eating experiences in Malmö restaurants have been Mints (great) and I’ve only had a few lemons… well more ‘meh’ than completely sucky.

Debunking a few myths

#1 Sweden is expensive

Sweden is often perceived as expensive. However, having moved here from Doha and knowing British prices, Malmö seems quite good value for money – particularly lunch or ‘Dagen’s meal’ which is normal the special for lunch. You can get good quality, fresh food from around 90 – 149 KR (30 – 50 QAR) and this meal will include bread, tap water (that’s free everywhere) and tea or coffee.

You can also pick up simple street food – shawarma, falafel wraps, and pizza pretty cheaply (but not as cheaply as in Qatar).

And you can pick up freshly made buns and pastries from around 30 KR (10 QAR). The cardamon bun by St. Jakobs is my new obsession.

#2 It’s not very international

Hani was a little worried that Malmö’s food scene wouldn’t be as international at Doha.

But we can safely say it’s not all pickled fish, smorrebord (open sandwiches), and meatballs.

He joined me for my first week here and we tried Asian food, Italian (Swedish style), Arabic (a falafel wrap and shawarma), salads, BBQ’d brisket, breads and bakery items.

Do you have any preconceived thoughts about Swedish food? I’d love to hear them.

My Arnie list (I’ll be back)

• Malmö Saluhall – this is a little market filled with interesting restaurants and delis. So far, I’ve tried out Ramen to Biru (always a good idea), Söderholmens fisk, a fantastic fish restaurant and deli, and POMS a great sandwich bar that offers a mean pastrami sandwich. Actually a mean anything sandwich. And get a side of their smashed potatoes while you’re at it (and thank me as you eat them).
• Five Flower Noodle Bar (in Lund) – on a side street near the cathedral, this could be easily missed. But I’m so glad my eyes admired their modern logo (that’s what 20 years in advertising does to you). This small noodle bar offered around 8 dishes (meat, veggie, vegan and chicken). The hand-made noodles were perfect. Meat tender. And there’s a fresh chilli pickle to crank up the heat. Yeeee haaaaaaw.
• SMAK – OMG I love their lunch buffet. The quality of food reminds me of ‘Jiwan’ the restaurant at the National Museum of Qatar. They offer 4-5 daily dishes of well executed seasonal food. You can top up the meals the salad and bread buffet table. The other day they offered roasted new potatoes (Hani would have returned to that table at least 5 times).
• St. Jakobs for coffee and cardamon buns (I actually prefer them to the cinnamon bun). They also do a very good semlor bun (please make trying one your main aim in life).
• Mitt Molan – the food hall offers lots of international restaurants. We like the Jerk’d Chicken and the Naan Wrapsters.
• Spoonery – fresh and a plentiful bowl of food. Hearty stuff!
• Mikkeller Pop up at Folkets Park – this sadly disappears early September but should reappear next summer.
• Opopoppa – an ace bar and pizza by the slice 🍕restaurant which always offers up some seasonal toppings. They also offer natural wines (if that’s your thing) and cocktails, which I definitely need to sample.

Here a few photos of what I’ve been eating.

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It doesn’t take a food writer to tell you that Doha is spoiled for choice with some good Indian food at all price points. At the upper end, we’re also well – Rivaaj, Jamavar, Chingari among the standouts.

Gymkhana opened in 2022 at the Katara Hills LXR. If you are unsure where that is, you’re not alone. It’s in the verdant…hills inside Katara, past the Padel courts. The hotel and restaurant benefit from the elevation, but the view from the admittedly lovely terrace is across the… Lusail Expressway which, is well, very Doha. But I imagine in winter it’s perfect.

Fun fact – this is Gymkhana’s second iteration in Doha. In the mid-2010s it was housed in one of the boutique hotels in Souq Waqif. This one is a branch of the acclaimed Gymkhana Mayfair, which has two Michelin stars (the first in 2014 and the second earned this year), brought to Doha by Qatar F&B powerhouse Aura Hospitality.

Gymkhana’s Interiors

The interiors of the new location eschew the colonial connotations of the name – rather it’s all stylish and modern, rich, dark woods and plush jewel tones. Of course, with the Doha signature imposing chandelier for extra drama. Seats are comfy and designed to sink into, given the size of the portions we encounter here, this is a design requirement. All these lush, hotel style interiors are reflected in the bill, the pricing of which does reflect its five star pedigree.

Gymkhana’s Menu – Starters

The Doha menu is adapted from the London one and is very much tour of India’s best known regional dishes. We kick off with gol guppa (as they are known in the Punjab), aka pani puri (QR60), a London crossover. These are little shells you fill with spiced potato and top with a spicy “water” of tamarind or mint. These little spice bombs lay the groundwork for the meal ahead.

Sticking with the street food theme, we plump for the universal favorite samosa chaat (QR75). The Gymkhana take sees the samosa presented like flaky little gift bags with tangy dollops of yoghurt snd tamarind. You smash the samosa and mix the components together and the result is a pleasing and spicy tangle of textures and favours.

For our kebabs course, we opted for lasooni (garlic) tiger prawns with red pepper chutney (QR145) – this is again from the London menu. The three prawns are plump, sweet and meaty, almost a meal unto themselves, and on just the right side of scorched after a grapple with the volcanic tandoor. Meanwhile a tower of spicy tandoori broccoli (QR95) arrives at the table with a crown of creamy curd, offsetting the al dente spiced stalks. I like this way to eat my greens.

Gymkhana’s Menu – Mains

A bit of internet sleuthing (aka menu hunting) reveals that the Doha outpost of Gymkhana treads a very mainstream path. The Mayfair HQ is known for the more daring interpretations of Indian cuisine such as a goat brain and game meats like guinea fowl and partridge. I appreciate this is adapted for the Doha market both in terms of taste and availability.

We do see flashes of this creativity in the menu for example in an earthy morel mushroom and truffle biryani (QR220), which is boisterously fragrant. But otherwise the Doha menu is firmly in favourites territory, with some crossovers from London, like a richly spiced and familiar chicken butter masala and a creamy Goan prawn curry (both QR165 each).

Servings are befitting of a billionaire’s son’s wedding banquet – generous to a fault. The night we visited every indoor table was occupied and even a couple outside in the Doha heat. Service on this night felt understaffed and in perpetual motion – but the team was still cheerful and engaged.

Gymkhana’s Drinks and Desserts

Desserts are an afterthought given the onslaught of mains snd starters but a serviceable chocolate tart gives us pause.

While the restaurant is dry (yes I may have buried the lede here), there is a solid, if slightly overpriced selection of non-alcoholic cocktails using Lyres as well as the usual fruity cocktails. I realise this may an issue for some people.

Gymkhana – The Verdict

Doha’s Gymkhana may be tamer in terms of menu than its London counterpart, but there is nothing reticent about the robust flavours. This crowd pleasing approach works, primarily because the dishes are well executed and thoughtful.

The details

Gymkhana Doha

Katara Hills

$$$-$$$$

Must order: The truffle and morel biryani

Good to know: It’s a dry restaurant. Also there is a multi-course tasing menu for QR550 nd a business lunch for a reasonable QR125.

Rating: **

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Please note:
While I pay for a large portion of my experiences that I write about, I am sometimes provided meals and other experiences free of charge or at a reduced rate. However, I make it clear that I am under no obligation to give a positive review.