August in Doha is the month you stop fighting the heat and just accept your fate as an indoor creature. This month’s hit list leans into that completely: an early morning coffee fix, a Bib Gourmand lunch worth the detour, a beachfront Peruvian favourite that’s found its groove again, and a Friday night that actually gives you a reason to get dressed up.
Bianco e Nero at La Spiga has launched a new Friday evening offer now worth a look, Juan Valdez is my new go-to for a proper breakfast that isn’t a hotel buffet, Hoppers remains the perhaps best value Michelin pick in the city, and La Mar Doha continues to prove its recent glow-up was worth the wait.
Here’s where I will be eating and drinking in Doha this August.
Bianco e Nero: La Spiga’s New Friday Night Offer in Doha
I have to give credit where it’s due here. I was at the launch of this new Friday theme night at La Spiga a couple of weeks back and, honestly, the food left me underwhelmed. I said so. Turns out I wasn’t the only one who felt that way, and the team took the feedback on board and went back to the drawing board. A week later I was invited back, and the difference really was, fittingly, black and white.
The concept is simple: two relaxed hours of shared plates and wine, and the revamped menu now sits firmly in the territory La Spiga does best. A whole burrata with a tangy cherry tomato compote, a silky carpaccio with truffle ricotta and marinated artichokes, and a fresh spinach salad. All land on the table, alongside the “black and white” platter itself: funky gorgonzola, wagyu coppa and bruschetta, best mopped up with their famously good oven-fresh focaccia.
There’s also a salad of roasted bell peppers that’s begging to be scooped onto that bread. It’s light, bright, shareable food, and it’s the kind of menu that nudges you to add a little extra from the a la carte – the calamari, always, for me.
The room on my recent visit was heaving with big groups, couples and families, all in exactly the right mood for it. Service kept pace, glasses stayed topped up, and two hours moved fast with good company.
My one lingering gripe is the wine list, still red, white, rosé, with the ever-present headache inducing Table Mountain haunting drinks menus across this city. I’m told it’s under review.
The details: Bianco e Nero at La Spiga by Paper Moon, W Doha, West Bay; Fridays 7pm–9pm; from QR149 for two hours of wine and antipasti; order this: it all lands on the table, so just dig in; good to know: it gets loud, there’s a live singer, and this is a genuinely good option for the non-brunch crowd.
Juan Valdez: QR55 Colombian Breakfast in Doha
I’ll admit, I slept on Juan Valdez for far too long. With several locations now dotted around the city, this little slice of Colombia has quietly become my favourite breakfast stop in Doha, and it’s nothing like the usual hotel spread. Think arepas, empanadas, pan de bono, and a properly strong Colombian brew that actually wakes you up rather than just decorating the table.
The breakfast options start from QR55, which in this city is still very fair for the quality and the portion. It’s unfussy, it’s fast, and it doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is: good coffee and a chance to try some Colombian food, served without fanfare.
The details: Juan Valdez, multiple locations across Doha; breakfast from QR55; order this: the arepas, non-negotiable; good to know: cappucinos cost extra!
La Mar Doha: The InterContinental’s Reimagined Peruvian Beachfront Restaurant
La Mar has been a beachfront staple at the InterContinental for years, but its recent redesign has given it a real jolt of energy. I have been a bit harsh on La Mar and the team in the past, but I can see that chef Frank is cooking dishes from his upbringing in Peru and this is showing in the food.
On a recent visit, I was impressed by the equal parts humble yet complex Amazonian Cebiche, with the tang of green mango.
The restaurant’s new look leans hard into Peru’s coastal roots, think curated art and design details that nod to the sea running through the whole space, bar and terrace included. Almuerzos by La Mar (Weekend Lunch): A five-course tasting menu featuring signature Peruvian dishes selected by Chef Frank, available on weekends for a minimum of two guests and is great opportunity to try the menu.
The details: La Mar Doha by Gastón Acurio, InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa; Sunset Hours Sunday–Wednesday 5pm–10pm, Thursday–Saturday 4pm–10pm, cocktails from QR35; order this: the ceviche, always; good to know: request a terrace table for the skyline view.
Hoppers: The Best Value Michelin Pick in Msheireb?
Hoppers has picked up a Bib Gourmand nod two years running now, in 2025 and again in 2026, and honestly, it’s still one of the smartest lunches in the city. Tucked into the heart of Msheireb, this unpretentious Sri Lankan and South Indian eatery doesn’t do fuss or fanfare, it just does genuinely tasty, distinctive food from a properly central location.
The eponymous fermented rice hoppers are the reason to book a table, but don’t stop there and the bone marrow varuval is rich and deeply savoury, and the green mango prawn curry is lush, tangy and exactly the kind of dish that makes you want to order rice just to mop up the sauce. Go with a few people and order across the menu.
Fair warning: some dishes here have real heat behind them, so pace yourself if you’re spice shy.
The details: Hoppers, Msheireb; from QR20; order this: the hoppers, the bone marrow varuval and the green mango prawn curry; good to know: some dishes can be properly spicy; verdict: perhaps the best value Michelin selection in town, order a few dishes and get stuck in.
And there we have it. That’s four reasons to leave the air conditioning this August, but Doha’s dining scene never sits still for long. Got somewhere I should be checking out, or already tried one of these?
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While you are here…
And my favourite ongoing project is the Rachel Recommends Google Map, the first of its kind in Qatar, every tried-and-tested spot I love, right there in your phone, updated weekly with fresh picks and information.
For deeper dives on food and the industry, I’m over on my Substack too. And you can read last month’s picks here.
Please note: while I pay for a large portion of the experiences I write about, I am sometimes provided meals or experiences free of charge or at a reduced rate. I am, however, under no obligation to give a positive review.
