It seems like they came all at once – a flurry of new restaurants and bars opening in Doha within days of each other after a long period of stagnation in the food scene. Always willing to put myself in the line of fire, I checked out Peruvian restaurant La Mar, Mexican offering Maya and Cuban joint La Vista 55 – all in the name of research – and there’s a lot to be excited about. Here’s my take on each of them, what to expect and what you should order: La Mar: I’m not going to lie, La Mar and its upstairs bar Manko are among the most exciting…
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Your October Dining Hit List – Where to Eat and Drink in Doha this Month
October signals the start of the “season” in Doha – new restaurant openings, showcasing of new menus and more. This is the time to break out of your dining rut and try something new or perhaps revisit a place you haven’t been to for some time. And believe me, there is plenty to try… This month also means Oktoberfest! Check out Intercontinental Doha – the OG of German fun in Doha – as well as the menu at Hudson Tavern for your schnitzel and beer fix. As an addendum to this regular post, you should also read my update on the new openings in Doha in coming months – many…
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Life on the Veg – Seven Vegan and Vegetarian Dining Options in Doha
No…I’m not going veggie on you. This is a response to the many requests I get from readers and followers about vegetarian and vegan offerings in Doha. So, I ditched the meat, cheese and seafood and headed out to scour the sweltering city for our veggie loving friends – and found some tasty and moderately-priced food in the process. I will let you in on a little secret – I was a vegetarian during my first year at university back in another century, before Instagram and before the interwebz (yes Virginia – there was a world before social media). This was mainly because all I could afford was chips and…
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Your September Dining Hit List – Where you Should Be Eating and Drinking in Doha This Month
Ahhh…September. I can almost see the end of the year from here and it looks…cooler. Now we are at the business end of 2018- school is back, vacations over, life resumed – it’s time to check out all of the new goodies being offered by restaurants and bars in Qatar. There is a LOT going on – some revamped menus, openings and new mojos for some old favorites. So buckle up, grab a snack and here is my essential guide to where to eat and drink in Doha this month: Mama Rozie It’s not in a five star hotel or in a “glam” part of town, but I can assure…
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Your August Hit List – Where You Should Be Eating and Drinking in Doha This Month
August is a tricky month – it’s neither here nor there. Some people are still away. Some restaurants are closed or reducing operations. And of course, there is Eid in the middle. But it warms my foodie heart to say the restaurants and cafes in Doha are still slapping on the lipstick and putting themselves out there for our judgement. Last month I talked up Claw BBQ Doha and the good news is that they are finally opening (August 2), so do yourself a favor and head down to the Corniche area for this fun restaurant. And a heads up, it looks like the 10 day dry period is back…
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Your July Dining Hit List – Where You Should Be Eating and Drinking in Doha This Month
I know, it’s hot, it’s humid and the dust permeates everything. But for foodies, there is a lot to love about being here in Doha in July. Restaurants and hotels are working overtime to get you to spend your cash and there are even some new concepts popping up. Here’s where I think you should be eating and drinking this month: Walima It’s been a rocky road for this restaurant at the Mondrian Doha, but I’m pleased to say it seems to have hit its mark finally. It always was a bit of a hard sell – a high end restaurant serving Qatari inspired food. But they have found the…
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Your April Hit List – Where You Should Be Eating and Drinking in Doha This Month
This is no April fool’s joke – Mad March is done and dusted and we are running headlong into April and soon the second half of the year. There is a lot to be excited about this month – new concepts and menus as many try to squeeze the last drops out of us before Ramadan. So here it is – where you should be spending your dining and drinking riyals in Doha this month: Oishi Sushi As they say, out of sight and out of mind. I had forgotten about this gem of a restaurant tucked away in a corner of Royal Plaza until they took the recent food…
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Qatar International Food Festival 2018 – Seven Stalls You Need to Visit
It’s March that means not only “March Madness”, but also the Qatar International Food Festival. I headed down there on the opening day to scope out the tastiest stalls and have my hit list for where you should be spending your hard earned cash. A quick couple of thoughts before I head into the “meat and potatoes” of this post. Although this is the biggest year in terms of stalls, I found the variety a little lacking. and uninspired. Maybe this will change as the week progresses, as the energy builds and more offerings pop up, but I felt it needed a little more oomph. I loved the “Farm to…
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Your March Hit List – Where You Should be Eating and Drinking in Doha this Month
March is here and thank God. Wasn’t February the longest short month ever? But March, it holds so much promise. Winter is over, we are well and truly in the midst of the actual year. And restaurants in Doha are finally hitting their straps – serving up new and interesting menus, dishes and even a new opening or two (finally). So here is where I am putting my dining riyal in Doha this month. And let me just say, it’s probably the most interesting line-up (old and new) for a few months: The Melting Pot You had me at cheese. All of the cheese. So much cheese. This is proof…
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Is the New York Steakhouse Brunch the Best in Doha Right Now?
Forget your gimmicks, your themed events and fancy dress. For me – good Friday brunch experience has a number of key elements – good food, great service and yes, crowd-pleasing music. And there are many around town – Nobu, Market at the W Doha, Shangtastic at Shangri-La who get it spot-on. But last year, a new and surprising entrant shook up the brunch scene – the Big Apple Brunch New York Steakhouse at Marriott Marquis. Besides my sporadic trips to Quick Bites and Ipanema, frankly I never rated this hotel for its food and beverage. For me, it was a little too cookie cutter – big hotel, no real personality. So…
