I’ve been compiling the best restaurant dishes in Qatar for more than seven years now. And we have had good years; great years and some pretty average ones. I compile the list throughout the year and in previous years, it had always been a strong field from the start. This year was different – we had some stellar dishes out of the gate, a big rush mid-year, and limping to the finish at the end. I even removed some early contenders. All up it’s been a mixed bag of a year on the creativity and quality front. For 2023 I also changed up my own approach – this year’s winners…
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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…
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New Review – Believe the Quiet Hype About LPM Doha, it’s the Real Deal
LPM Doha sits in the middle of the avenue of restaurants on Al Maha Island. While it has been perhaps overshadowed by its more glamorous, and dare I say, louder neighbors, LPM Doha has quietly amassed a legion of very devoted fans. So much so that when I posted a teaser photo of my visit on social media last week, I was flooded with messages from people who don’t usually send them – all glowing endorsements about the food, the service and the view. Maybe because I had been steering clear of those restaurants on the “Other Island”, maybe because I don’t vacation in Miami, I was unaware of the…
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Rivaaj Doha may have a new name but is the food still as good?
I was a big fan of Riyasat at the St Regis Doha and was curious what had changed since its recent “rebrand” as Rivaaj. With the dissolution of Al Fardan Hospitality, this was one of the high-profile changes. Rivaaj has now moved under the umbrella of their landlords St Regis. The other notable change has been neighboring BIBO moving to we presume, Marsa Malaz Kempinski where sister restaurant Lobito De Mar is located. As a side note – I have lauded what was done in the complex that once housed a moribund ballroom at the Al Gassar Resort. The addition of interesting and popular venues and a gallery was a…
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New Review – Is GAIA Doha Great?
In the 2022 Gold Rush of restaurant openings, it’s easy, for even the most enlightened foodie to lose sight of one, two, or even a handful of new places. For me, one of these was GAIA. So, much so that half way through my recent dinner there, ensconced in its Instagram neutral plush dining room, I had an unsettling feeling that perhaps I was the last to actually visit this place. For on this holiday Monday, by 9pm, the room was heaving. Nearly 300 covers would be done that night – a feat that will have chefs and restaurant managers across Doha quickly do the sums in grudging admiration. I…
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Your Summer 2023 Dining Hit List – Where to eat and drink in Doha this July and August
It’s hot. It’s humid. The days are long. But these are not excuses to not to dine well in Doha this July and August. What to expect? Gluten free dining; a Japanese/Korean fine dining option and a brunch for those who may be tired of the usual brunch scene. These are my hot, new and just-reviewed places to check out, right now. Pure Eats Pure Eats has opened at Qanat Quartier at The Pearl, offering a huge gluten free and dairy free menu of comfort food. I’ve always struggled a big with the “free from” cuisines as they have erred on the side of tasteless – thankfully Pure Eats turns…
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The 40 Best Restaurants in Qatar in 2023
I’ve been eating my way around this country in one way or another since landing here one steamy Summer day in 2007. But my serious focus on food and writing about it started back in 2012 with the creation of my blog. The rest, they say, is history. So this list – it’s been a long time coming. The product of many visits (invited and self-funded) to each and every one of these spots over the last decade, and for the newer ones, obviously more recently. In a time where we seem to be in flux in the Qatar dining scene, I thought this could serve as a place marker,…
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7 Spots to Enjoy Iftar in Doha that Aren’t a Buffet
Let’s face it, hotel and restaurant iftar buffets are fun for the first few days of Ramadan in Doha, but the novelty soon wears off. But these five places are offering something outside of the Ramadan iftar buffet bubble and definitely worth your consideration this month. From a new fine dining spot causing a buzz; a surf and turf option and two places to enjoy a fabulous Indian feast. I’ve dined at all the Doha restaurants mentioned below over the past couple of months (some more than once!) and all highly recommended. 1. Ramadan menu at The M Doha This is approachable fine dining and a good opportunity to try…
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Doha Hit List February 2023 – New, hot and just reviewed restaurants, bars and offers
Longest. January. Ever. But February is here and it’s time for my Doha 2023 hit list – new, hot and just reviewed restaurants and bars and of course, offers. Friday Brunch at Alba by Enrico Crippa The Raffles Doha is a stunning hotel and this restaurant, with its cool and subdued interiors is quite something. Their Friday brunch is a great way to try the menu, developed by the Michelin star Italian legend Enrico Crippa. Their set menu Friday brunch is the antidote to crazy party brunches. Start with a lethal Aperol spritz or Prosecco if you prefer and sit back and enjoy. From pillows of pasta nestled in a…
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Doha Hit List January 2023: Hot, new and just reviewed restaurants, bars and offers
Hello? 2023? Is that really you? All shiny, bright and full of promise! To kick the year off in the right way, here is your Doha Hit List January 2023: Hot, new and just reviewed restaurants, bars and offers to check out NOW: Hanok Korean/Japanese Restaurant If you haven’t wandered around the area behind the National Museum of Qatar, do yourself a favor and go. So many new eateries and cafes have popped up, including Hanok. Their menu includes Seiromushi, the Japanese method of steam cooking in which food is steamed on bamboo trays table side. Anyone familiar with K Dramas will have seen this technique. We ordered the set…
