Qatar is gaining more and more popularity among tourists, and the culmination will certainly come during the World Cup finals. The country is preparing hard to welcome visitors with the pleasant side of gastronomy as well. All the more so because in recent years Qatar has strengthened its reputation for haute cuisine, attracting internationally renowned chefs and opening branches of world-renowned restaurants. The Qatar National Tourism Council has compiled a guide to the capital’s culinary gems that should not be missed.
One of Doha’s best eateries and the largest in the chain is Nobu at the Four Seasons Doha Hotel, run by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Traditional Japanese dishes are prepared with Peruvian ingredients. Add to this the sumptuous views of the city and you have an unforgettable experience.
Jiwan, located on the top floor of the Qatar National Museum, offers an exciting gastronomic concept to explore the country’s rich heritage. It serves dishes by guru Alain Ducasse using seasonal ingredients and the interior is dedicated to the history and unique landscape of Qatar.
Morimoto Doha at the Mondrian Hotel is, of course, for true foodies. It is the first restaurant in the Middle East by renowned chef Masaharu Morimoto. Guests can enjoy a Japanese-inspired dinner of tartare, robata, tempura, sushi and sashimi, as well as tastings by the chef or dishes from the original “omakase” (Japanese for “relying on your taste”) menu.
At COYA, the new Peruvian restaurant at the W Doha Hotel & Residences, guests can enjoy fusion dishes in an authentic Inca artifact setting. The restaurant boasts mouth-watering fish and seafood ceviche, superb tiradito (the South American version of sashimi) and the popular “kebab” anticuchos.
Another good reason to pop into the same fine hotel is the CUT restaurant, an example of haute cuisine and excellent service. It’s the perfect place for a romantic dinner, where guests are treated to a Middle Eastern-style meal by chef Wolfgang Puck.
Within the gardens of the stately St. Regis Doha Hotel is the upscale Hakkasan Doha restaurant, serving a range of Cantonese delicacies including dim sum and wagyu beef ribs. Guests can enjoy the famous Peking duck, cooked the traditional Chinese way, as well as the finest selections from the collector’s menu, which was created especially for the Doha venue.
For an oasis of tranquillity amid the capital’s bustling streets, don’t miss IZU Restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Doha. Inspired by Chef Izu Ani’s travels in Spain, France, England and the Middle East, the signature menu offers a contemporary take on traditional Mediterranean cuisine, ideal for dining with family or friends.
If you’re looking for trendy dining options, check out BOHO Social, located on the rooftop of Katara Beach Club. Decorated in a boho-chic style by interior designer Paul Bishop, it’s the new hotspot for those looking for a multi-sensory experience that combines flavours from different countries and continents.
Strolling through the winding streets of the oriental Suq Waqif bazaar, you can’t miss Parisa restaurant, a gastronomic landmark in Doha. Persian cuisine is served in impressive interiors, hand-painted with myths and legends and thousands of miniature mirrors.
For laid-back family dining, choose the Market Restaurant, inspired by Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s hotel-as-home concept, with its family atmosphere and home cooking. The menu features European cuisine based on the legendary chef’s “greatest hits”, with the inclusion of new products and local spices.
Photo: Qatar Tourism
