What Will Doha’s Dining Scene Look Like Post-COVID-19?

We all joke about rushing the barricades and beating down the doors of our favorite cafes and restaurants (after the beauty salons of course) when they finally reopen. But what will Doha’s dining scene look like after the dust settles?

As we begin to eat out again when restaurants reopen, the question will be less about the food, and more so about what steps the restaurant has taken to ensure the health and safety of diners.

One thing is certain, it won’t be the same. But how will it have changed?

1. Fewer outlets

The sad reality is, many smaller (and maybe some bigger players) won’t be able to survive this period. Already we have seen Gordon Ramsay shutter his restaurants in Doha (although whether this is COVID-19 related is unclear). Expect others to follow suit.

2. It will take time…

You can’t just flip a switch and everything will go back to normal. Many hotels and restaurants have put staff on leave and many returned to their home countries to ride out the COVID storm. Outlets have been mothballed. Stores not replenished. It takes time to fire up, get cashed up and start operations again. Some venues will have to completely re-design their layouts to ensure social distancing. We all need some patience. It will be a slow roll out to help people adjust to a new, weird way of life.

3. Takeaway and delivery will remain popular

We all enjoyed the pivot many restaurants, including to big players, made into home delivery and takeaway. And with delivery platforms stepping up their hygiene and safety practises, it will remain a go-to option for many people. It also showed us that the restaurant experience, food-wise can be replicated at home.

View this post on Instagram

Wu factor… @radissonbluhoteldoha is offering a short and sharp takeaway menu from their cult favorite Chinese restaurant Ruby Wu. Fun fact – this was the first restaurant I went to when I moved to Doha in 2007! Anyway, nostalgia is important as these are old school Chinese takeaway classics. We love the tender yet crunchy skinned crispy chicken as well as the tender braised pepper beef. Everyone loves a sweet and sour and this was one a great rendition – with slivers of pineapple and a tart/sweet sauce. Check my instastories for the menu. You can order by Whatsapp, you drive up and they bring to your car. . . . . . . #chinesefood #chinesetakeaway #lockdownfood #lockdown2020 #chinesefoodie #sweetandsour #springrolls #takeawayfood #stayhome #radissonblu #dohafoodies #lifeonthewedge #qatarfood #qatarfoodbloggers #comfortfood #stayhomestaysafe #amazingcuisine #eatingin #qatarlife

A post shared by Life on the Wedge (@rachelannmorris71) on Apr 13, 2020 at 8:39pm PDT

4. Disposable and digital menus

I hate ipad menus but they are now here to stay because they can be sanitized between each use. I know some restaurants are also working on Q Codes for menus, so guests can scan the code and view the menu on their own phone. Some restaurants are also working on offering single-use disposable paper menus for diners. In this vein also expect the demise of crisp white linen napkins – many are looking to use disposable, high quality paper ones.

• 

• 

• 

5. RIP Brunch as we know it…

Sorry guys. This one hurts. Gone are the days of the endless buffets of fresh seafood and sushi and more. A la carte is the the way of the future. It’s cleaner, safer and frankly results in less waste – so that’s the bright side! And many of the big hotels have already pivoted pre-COVID to be more about table service than the buffet.

View this post on Instagram

Shrimply delicious… It’s been nearly a year since I have visited @marriottmarquisdoha #bigapplebrunch and as they say, absence does make the heart grow fonder. I was impressed to see the quality of the food and drink offering had been maintained. It’s an a la carte concept with small plates of some of their favorite menu items plus brunch staples. Standouts for me were this lush seafood plate to share (including a huge crab claw!), a moreish and fall apart tender beef short rib and their creamy cheesecake. In addition to the menu there is a roving cheese cart, ceviche made fresh at your table and roast beef complete with Yorkshire pudding. Drinks include a selection of 25 martinis. At QR595 it’s still a sting in the pocket. But, tables were full of happy paying diners like me so they are doing something right. . . . . . . . . #steakhouse #seafoodplatter #freshseafood #crabclaws #fridaybrunch #brunchparty #kingprawns #foodie_features #foodietravels #marriottbonvoy #marriottmarquis #marriottmarquisdoha #lifeonthewedge #dohafoodies #seafooddiet #seafoodlove #brunchislife #devourpower #tastethisnext #qatarfood #wheretoeat #cravingsatisfied #socialfood #newyorksteakhouse

A post shared by Life on the Wedge (@rachelannmorris71) on Sep 13, 2019 at 9:28pm PDT

6. Waiters in masks/shields

When restaurants are open, service staff also need to be protected. So expect masks, gloves and even face shields. Expect some outlets will also install dining pods or shields to enforce social distancing.

7. Reservations required

To maintain social distancing restaurants will be expected to restrict numbers, so it’s call ahead or expect a wait at some of the more popular restaurants and bars.

8. Contactless Dining

Zomato Qatar has already foreshadowed this, but expect many places to not accept cash or even ask for payment in advance. It’s cleaner, safer and quicker. We can expect to see increased spaces between tables, eliminated host stand waiting areas, reductions of bar seats and even entirely new layouts for restaurants to ensure this.

9. Limited menus

This is for two reasons. One is to enable a gradual return that doesn’t stretch resources. Also, in many cases, hotels and restaurants need to reactivate their supply chains – this takes time.

10. No app no dine

Love or hate it, the Ehteraz app is here for a while. Like supermarkets, banks an government buildings, expect restaurants to jump on board and ask to see the app as well.

11. Sanitizer Stations

We may not have sanitizer sommeliers like some restaurants overseas, but expect a ritual hand washing before entering an establishment.

The Wash-up

The good news is that many hotels and restaurants I spoke to do not plan to increase prices. They know that many are hurting post Pandemic and this is already a price sensitive market. It will be also interesting to see how many hotels and bigger restaurants handle valet parking – in some countries they sanitize the steering wheel etc.

But while the restaurants and cafes will be going out of their way to woo us, as diners we have some responsibilities too:

• Show up: If you book, have the courtesy to turn up. Many restaurants will likely be operating on reduced capacity so seats will be limited. Your punctuality (yes I know Doha dwellers are famously late) is going to be important.
• Be patient: This is new territory for all of us and restarting take time and effort.Things will take time to bounce back and there will be glitches.
• Tip: Many service staff have been on unpaid leave and they will appreciate the extra thought.

So who is ready to get back into it? Will you you busting down the doors or waiting and watching? Regardless, cheers to the brave new dining world!