Four Places Break Your Fast this Ramadan in Qatar That Are NOT in a Five Star Hotel

Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of luxury. Bling is kinda my thing.

But sometimes, especially in Ramadan, I tire quickly of the lavish buffets, the decorations and the endless rounds of small talk.

This Ramadan I have made a concerted effort to try to find off-beat places for iftar and suhoor. Here is my list of a few places to try this year (some of them may surprise you!). I will keep updating the blog with new and interesting finds over the next couple of weeks.

1. 999 Cafe at the Doha Fire Station

You should check out this place anyway, not just in Ramadan. This sleek cafe is part of the newish art complex at the former Civil Defense HQ and for Ramadan they are doing a small but tasty buffet of salads, soups, hot dishes and desserts. Not groundbreaking (the main dishes could have been warmer, but we were late), its QR99 including drinks. This is worth it for the location and the vibe.

2. Prime Bites

Any restaurant that has a canapes and fingerfood buffet is a winner in my book. This newly opened little find is in the mercurial Royal Plaza in Al Sadd (you know the one, with the eclectic mix of stores and no real purpose). It has a menu of international main dishes but for me, the fingerfood buffet is the main attraction. For QR60 per person during Ramadan they have an open buffet of canapes (7.30pm to 11pm). I’m in!

3. The Sizzlers

I almost don’t want to tell you about this hidden gem in Al Khor, but I do have a public duty to share excellent food experiences. I have a blog post coming soon about this amazing family run place, but during Ramadan they are open from 5pm to 11pm with a range of Malaysian, Indonesian and Filipino dishes, freshly cooked and perfectly spiced. People travel from Doha to try this food – and it’s worth every minute in traffic. During the Holy Month they are offering free tea and dates and an appetizer. Just go there, K?

4. Nandos

You know I had to include this. I am a Fando to my very core. Very few “fast casual” restaurants can offer the value for money as well the quality of the product that Nandos can. Their restaurants are fun, the food is dependable as well as delicious, what more you can ask for? They are offering a special “family feast” which includes one of their whole chickens, a range of sides, drinks and all the fixings. Also, they are delivering from 11am daily.

Where have you been dining out this Ramadan? Share your finds in the comments below!