There it is. That last stubborn blast of intense humidity has finally packed its bags (we hope), the outdoor terraces are opening up again, and Doha has remembered it’s a city that likes to eat out. October is when the season properly kicks off, and this month’s hit list reflects that: a coffee crawl worth the drive south, the food hall we’ve been waiting years for, a midweek steak night that actually delivers on value, breakfast in a century-old house, and a new Korean to check out.
Last Batch and the cafes at Mashaf Crossings make a strong case for an early start, Msheireb Food Hall is Qatar’s first proper food hall, Mannam Kitchen is the new Korean street food spot from the much-loved Yee Hwa family, New York Steakhouse has launched The Cellar Wednesdays, and Bayt Sharq remains the most atmospheric breakfast in the city.
Here’s where I am eating and drinking in Doha this October.
Last Batch and the Coffee Spots of Mashaf Crossings, Al Wakra
If you haven’t made it down to Mashaf Crossings yet, this is your sign. It’s a community-first outdoor township between Al Wakrah and Al Wukair, all cafes, restaurants and shops, and as the weather cools it’s exactly the kind of place you want to wander with a coffee in hand.
Start at Last Batch. For us early birds it’s a revelation: both branches now open at 4.30am, which means a proper coffee before the rest of the city has hit snooze. What I like most about Mashaf is that it feels built for locals rather than for social media. Families, early runners, people actually lingering. It’s the kind of neighbourhood hub Qatar needs more of.
The details: Last Batch and Concept Kitchen, Mashaf Crossings, Al Wukair; Last Batch opens from 4.30am; order this: their matcha or a cortadao; good to know: go early and make a morning of it, there’s plenty to explore once you’ve had your caffeine.
Msheireb Food Hall: Qatar’s First Food Hall
You’ve probably seen Msheireb Food Hall all over your feed. We’ve waited a long time for a proper food hall concept in Doha, something along the lines of the Time Out Market in Dubai, and this effort is mostly successful.
It’s set over two floors, with a DJ booth, a range of seating areas and a terrace that will come into its own as the season cools. The “social dining” idea is genuinely good: tables come with proper cutlery and stacks of small ceramic plates for sharing. You order, pay, take a buzzer and collect. Everything is plated, with no plastics or single-use in sight. A couple of quirks remain (the Indian counter is tucked away), but nothing fatal.
The smash-style burger from Flippin (QR24) was a good size and hit the spot. The corn ribs from Anara (QR32) were well spiced and made me want to explore that menu further. A latte from Cuban came with a tiny guava-filled pastry and was excellent. El Ta’koy is front and centre and apparently the most popular: the shrimp lumpia (QR49) was a little dry, but the huli huli chicken tacos (QR59) were a great mix of flavours and textures and vanished in seconds. Keija’s shrimp dumplings were plump and juicy, if a little thick-skinned.
My one real reservation is pricing. Two smaller dishes at El Ta’koy will set you back at least QR120, and QR35 for three dumplings is punchy. If the goal is a casual lunch or after-work catch-up, this gets expensive fast. Bigger portions or a rethink on price would make it a regular rather than an occasional treat.
The details: Msheireb Food Hall, Msheireb Galleria, Msheireb Downtown Doha; nine venues, dishes from QR24; order this: the huli huli chicken tacos, the corn ribs and a Cuban latte; good to know: it’s busy with office crowds at lunch, and the terrace is the spot once the weather turns; verdict: absolutely worth a visit and a much-needed new idea for Doha’s dining scene.
The Cellar Wednesdays at New York Steakhouse, Marriott Marquis
New York Steakhouse has always been a dependable classic: dark wood, leather booths, proper cuts. Its new midweek offer, The Cellar Wednesdays, is a reason to go back. The formula is simple and very me: grapes, steak and cheese. It starts with Alpine style fondue with a range of fixings to dip in the bubbling cauldron, then eases into the e prime striploin, one for each diner, is finished tableside with a lava like layer of raclette cheese.
Then, when you are screaming for your mama, in rolls the cheese chariot. It’s great value for the calibre of the room and the cooking, especially when you’re splitting it between two.
The details: The Cellar Wednesdays, New York Steakhouse, Marriott Marquis City Center Doha, West Bay; Wednesdays 6pm-11pm; QR725 for two; order this: it all comes to the table; good to know: don’t eat lunch.
Bayt Sharq: Breakfast in a Century-Old Qatari House
Some places you go for the food, some for the setting. Bayt Sharq gives you both. It’s housed in the restored Al Khulaifi heritage house, around a hundred years old, just off the Corniche, complete with its own little museum, a leafy courtyard, a veranda and private cabanas. Now that the mornings are bearable again, breakfast in that garden is one of the great Doha pleasures.
The breakfast menu leans into classic Qatari dishes, balaleet and shakshouka, alongside regional staples like foul, falafel and za’atar fatayer, with freshly baked bread and a pot of karak to round it out.
The details: Bayt Sharq, Al Doha Gardens, Al Sharq Street (off the Corniche); daily 7am-12am; breakfast platters from QR120 to QR240; order this: the platter gives you a tste of everything, wash it down with the milky sweet karak; good to know: ask for a courtyard table and take a few minutes to look around.
Mannam Kitchen by Yee Hwa: Korean Street Food on Al Kinana Street
When family-owned favourite Yee Hwa announced its OG Al Kinana Street venue was closing, we were collectively devastated. Turns out there was a bigger plan: Mannam Kitchen.
Mannam means “gathering” in Korean, and this is a relaxed, share-everything spot built around Korean street food and comfort dishes. KBBQ is still here, but think noodles, Korean fried chicken, kimbap (no sushi!), corn dogs and a real focus on coffee.
The cheese dakgalbi, spicy gochujang chicken with rice cakes, finished at the table, is a must. I couldn’t get enough of the twigim, crisp battered veggies, shrimp and fish. The KBBQ and KFC are on point, the cheese-dusted crinkle fries are dangerously moreish, and the bingsu is light as air. Staff, led by Princess, are clearly excited, and it shows.
We have only a handful of long-running, family-run restaurants in this city. Mannam is a lovely addition to the Yee Hwa story.
The details: Mannam Kitchen by Yee Hwa, Al Kinana Street, Doha Downtown; 12pm-11pm, Fridays 1pm-11pm; starters from QR15, KFC from QR49, soups from QR25; order this: the KFC, cheese dakgalbi and sundubu jjigae, not just the KBBQ; good to know: Korean-style specialty coffee is coming soon, and parking is, as always, a challenge.
And there we have it, five reasons to get out and enjoy the cooler weather this October. The season is only just getting started and the openings are coming thick and fast. Got somewhere I should be checking out, or already tried one of these?
Drop me a comment or find me on Instagram, and if you want this kind of recommendation landing in your inbox every week, subscribe to Life on the Wedge by Rachel Morris weekly newsletter so you never miss what’s actually worth it.
While you are here…
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 and updated weekly.
And if you’re after a seat at the table, Supper Club by Rachel Morris has new dinners and experiences coming, so sign up here to be first to know.
For deeper dives on food and the industry, I’m over on my Substack too. You can read August’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.
