It’s halfway through Ramadan and if you are anything like me, you have “buffet fatigue”. Which is why I’m excited that these three great Doha places are offering iftar menus other than a buffet this Ramadan.
Don’t get me wrong, I love me a buffet, but sometimes you just need something low key and different to break the fast.Here are top three picks for iftar this Ramadan in Doha that are outside the buffet bubble.
Nobu Doha
When I heard that Nobu Doha was staying open this Ramadan it was like music to my jaded ears. To entice new diners and rusted on addicts like myself, they are offering a four course Omakase iftar menu for QR250. It’s light but still offers a taste of Nobu and a way to break your fast without the buffet theatrics. Highlights of the menu include the ever popular rock shrimp, a beautifully cooked beef tenderloin and of course, sushi. My advice is share the mains.
For something a bit extra, the main menu is on offer, with some dishes taking a vacation for the quieter summer months. Fear not you can still order the lush lobster Caesar salad, the tiny tacos stuffed with wagyu or lobster and the black miso cod.
Heads up: Nobu Doha will remain open during the Four Seasons Doha renovations which start in June.
Yugo
Since opening last year this French/Japanese fusion restaurant in The Gate Mall has been packing in the happy diners. There is a lot to like about this place (especially the panko coated deep fried brie, but that’s another post). This Ramadan they are offering a very cool set menu for dumpling lovers. Their dim sum sets are QR55 for a choice of three dim sum with Chinese sweet mantau bun and green tea for QR55. For QR99 you can get the large set which is all six of their dim sum with the Chinese bun and green tea. You can ask for them steamed or deep fried.
My favorites were the unusual seaweed dumpling which is filled with chicken prawns and shitake mushroom sand wrapped in nori. Another favorite was the delicate shrimp shaomai. On my visit the mantau was MIA for some reason but would be an interesting way to end the meal. Each small basket comes with four of the dumplings.
Heads up: This is a light menu and while the bigger set is good to share, those looking for a bit extra can supplement their meal with something off the main menu.
IDAM
For me this is becoming a treasured Ramadan tradition. Iftar at IDAM at the Museum of Islamic Art is a truly unique Doha experience – the food, the location and of course the service all combine to something special. They have again pulled out all stops with their four course menu, which changes weekly throughout the holy month. On our visit we were treated to tiny, crispy samosa filled with crab, mango and ginger as one of the mix of starters. Mains were a meaty wild hammour with green asparagus and a fork tender saddle of lamb with dried fruit.
Where IDAM excels is the details – the artisan bread basket comes delivered warm to your table, the matching juices and mocktails as part of the menu, the tea trolley with four honeys to choose from and little timers to make sure your brew is perfect. Then there is the petit four cart with home made marshmallows and other treats – all before the actual dessert which was a date souffle with labne sorbet. Combine this with THAT view and exceptional service and you almost don’t mind the QR290 per head price tag If you do one thing this Ramadan, it should be having iftar here.
Heads up: Culture Pass members can get 10 percent off their dining bill
*Please read my very fine print…
