Doha Hit List October 2023 – New, hot and just reviewed restaurants and bars

September sped by like Lewis Hamilton on the track. Now we’re in October and headed towards, gulp, Christmas. But I’ve cut through the noise and here is your Doha Hit List October 2023 – new, hot and just reviewed restaurants and bars.

Weekend brunch at Liang

Liang is a little slice of Hong Kong in Doha. While the a la carte menu at Liang is full of stars, it’s the weekend dim sum brunch that gives a true glimpse of the restaurant’s appeal. Six courses, you lose track of the small plates as they are slid effortlessly on your table. Some in steaming bamboo baskets; others on small plates.  From the array of dim sum to the little surprises like a cold and silky eggplant salad to crowd pleasers such as their plump kung pao tiger prawns and spicy mapo tofu.  Every plate is considered and even though it runs 12pm to 3pm every Friday and Saturday, you don’t feel rushed. At QR290 per person including tea, it’s considerable value.

Must order: sit back and enjoy

W Cafe

The W Cafe at W Doha is one of those places on my rotation for meetings and catch-ups. It also has some good food. They recently launched a new menu. Aside from the usual salads (the new kale one with burrata and pistachio for QR68 is great), you can find bagels which you can customize (QR55), a burrata and peach salad (QR75) and yes, a juicy black angus burger (QR82) topped with melted cheddar cheese. My advice – don’t wear white if you order this. Meanwhile a salmon tartine (QR65) is light and bright and the spicy chicken wrap (QR65) a good option for a snacks. Although my favorite new dish was the beef poke bowl (QR75)- well seasoned and a little smokey and a sweet/sour kick from pickled pineapple.

Must order: the silky poke bowl and the burger.

Blue Hour at Blue Cigar

This stylish, book lined bar has become a favorite of mine in recent months – the cocktails are great, there is a nightly reading from one of their first edition books and the food is great. The Blue Hour runs daily from 4pm to 7pm and for QR150 per person inclusive three classic cocktails and a plate of bites. I can’t pass up a good martini and these are some of the best in Doha. The bites on offer include a juicy crab cake and a wagyu beef slider (in a blue bun, of course). The snacks are substantial and the cocktails strong – just how they should be. From the name it’s clear this is a smoking bar so you should be aware of that. The seating is comfy and they nightly book reading and talk is fun and unique. I also love the team here – super engaged and ready with a recommendation.

Must order: Go with the martini but let the team guide you

Thursday Night Brunch at Hakkasan

Well, this new weekly event at Hakkasan Doha is not so much a “brunch”, rather a package of food and drinks at a civilized time on a Thursday evening. The evening kicks off at 8pm (last drinks 10.45pm) with their take on the lettuce wrap, stuffed with moreish pine nuts and vegetables. We move quickly to their signature Peking duck, served in individual platters with spring onion. Hakkasan’s dumplings are a class apart and each diner gets an individual platter with six morsels – this prevents the always awkward/friendship straining stand-off over the last dumpling.

The small eats are again shared – the famous crispy, spicy beef makes a welcome return along with chicken smothered in bee pollen and honey pepper. As a way to ease into the weekend, it’s perfect. Servings are generous, glasses are topped up continually and it being Hakkasan, the place fills up after 9pm. At QR448 per person it’s not an inexpensive evening but that’s free flowing drinks and the food.

Must order: Just take it all!

While you are here…

So that’s it! Your Doha Hit List October 2023: hot, new and just reviewed restaurants and bars to see you though this crazy month in Qatar.

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• For my review of LPM Doha click here.
• And of Masala Library here.
• Catch me talking about Doha and the food scene and why I love what I do on Qatar 365.
• Waiting for Pret to open…
• My podcast launches soon!

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.