Doha Dining Hit List October 2024 – new, hot and just reviewed restaurants and bars

It’s been a while I know, but as the city gears up for a busy end of year, it’s time to bring back my monthly hit list. Summer, to put it bluntly, was slow. But time to clear the backlog, shine a light on some great new offers and openings.

Sushi spots, steak and chips and a gorgeous new brunch awaits you in this month’s recommendations. So, for October, this is where you should be eating in Qatar right now:

Friday Brunch at Sora Rooftop

I’ve predicted this place would come good before and finally, it is. A Pan-Asian blended buffet/a la carte menu with multiple options; live entertainment and a solid drinks menu. The team have taken lessons learned from last season and pared back the menu and changed the set-up and it works.

The sushi/raw bar is a delight – with freshly made maki rolls, briny oysters and silky scallops served on the half shell. There’s caviar, ceviche and also tiny lobster brioche rolls alongside sashimi.
In between little plates of tempura, bathed in a sweet/spicy sauce appear on the table to keep us engaged.

There’s entertainment (1980s bangers predominantly) and the light filled room is a perfect brunch backdrop. Diners have a choice of mains which are full sized and include a mix of seafood/beef and veggie options. Fridays 12.30pm to 4pm; QR329/QR449/QR489.

Must order: the grilled lamb rack!

Sunday Salmon Special at Nozomi

The special is just that, a platter of salmon-heavy sushi, maki, nigiri and sashimi plus additional dishes like a fun take on pani puri with salmon and also teriyaki. Once you work your way around this giant platter, you can then order more maki rolls until you just can’t. All this for QR160 per person, with drinks a la carte.

The rolls and dishes are freshly made to order an are very well executed. Executive Chef Tarana Malikova, a certified sushi master (and a Kaiseki master BTW), also sent me some additional dishes to try, which reinforced the fact that I need to make a return visit. As far as Sunday offers go, this is a relaxed, well priced option for sushi fans – and a lesson for me to not be so stubborn.Sundays from 6pm, QR160 per person.

Must order: The salmon pani puri is essential

Entrecote Night at New York Steakhouse

Every Saturday at the New York Steakhouse Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel you can dip your toe into la vie on rose for the very reasonable price of QR150 per person for the three courses including water.

The starter salad is studded with walnuts and a tangy dressing, there is a side of bread to share as well. Each diner is offered 180 grams of ribeye, which is grilled and sliced, served with the “secret sauce” and crunchy fries. A word on the secret sauce, it’s buttery and moreish. As for the ingredients, our server Oran reels off a bunch of queries about allergens, so I think there are flavor bomb anchovies lurking among others.

Dessert is a teeny creme brulee which caps the meal off well. The team have spent some time on this concept, there is even white butcher’s paper on the tables where the server writes down our order, as they do in Paris, mon cherie. Every Saturday from 6pm, QR 150 per person with drinks a la carte.

Must order: Steak of course!

Lo Spaghetto

Old is gold folks and this gem keeps serving on quality, hearty Italian influenced fare and we are here for it. Lo Spaghetto, the erstwhile favorite, continues to draw a diverse crowd of Qataris and expats, families, groups of friends and couples all enjoying the dependable Italian influenced offering. My go-to order is the spaghetti fruit de mare (QR79) which is just saucy enough and stuffed with plump prawns and baby calamari. Another favorite is the earthy pasta fungi (mushrooms) with cream (QR58).

The pizzas remain underrated and this is one of the few places that offers a Napolitana version (QR61), simply dressed with tomato sauce, mozzarella and anchovies. The tiny salty fish give a funky, umami kick. And yes, the “authentic” pizza Napoli version of this doesn’t necessarily have the cheese, when in Rome/Doha right?

Interiors are on the 1990s Ikea side of rustic and you still get the bread sticks and teeny bruschetta to start. With water and soft drinks the bill for two on a recent visit was QR250 before tip – not inexpensive but still worth the outlay. When the Doha weather cools the greenery fringed outside terrace is a delight.

Must order: The pasta dishes are elite but don’t sleep on the crispy pizza.

Naures Asian Bistro

Anothr day another cracking new spot opens in Bin Mahmoud. The space is next to the entrance of the La Maison Hotel on Al Jazeera Street and is bright, clean and very much made for groups. The menu makes me thankful for my recent fitness kick, it’s a hefty tome with photos and descriptions. In addition to the buffet and hotpot, there is a sizeable a la carte section spanning Korean, Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Malaysian. Phew.

The “buffet” which offers three options – QR99 for all you can eat for one – hotpot, Japanese or Korean BBQ; QR149 for two of these or QR179 for all three. Buffet is a bit of a misnomer – it’s all served to your table. This includes soft drinks and water and there is a caveat – you are time limited to 120 mins. The hotpot side is divided, allowing for a clear chicken broth and a very spicy and tingly Chinese mala broth which bubble away as we eat.

The BBQ plate is also fired up and the items start arriving – slivers of beef for both frying and grilling, vegetables, a trays of chicken breast, prawns, mussels and octopus. One of the beef options, the ribeye, is more tender and better quality than the others. The chicken is also a hit, marinated and perfect for the grill. All is accompanied by dipping sauces and little Korean side dishes. There’s so much going on we overcook our first round of beef on the grill – a trap for out of shape KBBQ players.

You’re also asked to choose maki and sashimi off the sizeable menu. Other items are replenished if you need them but this is a LOT of food. QR99/QR149/QR179 for unlimited hotpot; also a la carte options. Open daily from 12pm.

Must order: Let’s not beat around the bush, the hot pot.

Bentley’s Grill

Some things are just so good they don’t need to be changed. Bentley’s Grill Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha is in that rare category. The interiors remain comfy and welcoming. The service team charming, knowledgeable and rarely for Doha, know their guests and their preferences as well as their time tested menu. While other spots in the city sometimes feel like they are engaged in a Hunger Games to see who can out fusion each other, Bentley’s is refreshingly Old School.

The menu has everything you need from a traditional steakhouse – a concise list of starters allowing the steaks themselves to shine. Starters include a pitch perfect plump trio of grilled scallops atop a creamy pea puree (QR75). I ALWAYS have to order the crab cakes (QR85).

Steaks as always are the stars especially the 350 gram Australian Wagyu ribeye (QR440). Silky yet nicely marbled it cut like butter, was seasoned hard but just right. Light as air onion rings and creamed spinach were appropriate accompaniment (sides range from QR25 to QR35 each). If it seems like I’m a bit in love with Bentley’s, it’s because I am. It’s a rare beast for Doha – consistently good, no tricks or gimmicks, just great food.

Must order: the steaks but the crab cakes always feature.

So folks, that’s a great primer for the month ahead. October certainly looks delicious and this is just a sample of the must-visit spots in the city.

Must order: The steaks always and forever but a cheeky Irish coffee is always on the cards.

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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.