CULINARY
Qatar’s multicultural atmosphere is also reflected in its cuisine: you can look forward to culinary discoveries and a diverse gastronomic scene, from street snack bars to gourmet restaurants.
Street Food and Star Cuisine
The way to a country’s heart is not only through its stomach. You can also get to know the country and its people in a wonderful way at the table. This is especially true in Qatar, where food culture is highly valued and cultivated. Qatari cuisine is a colorful mixture with influences from India, Persia, Lebanon and North Africa and, like the country as a whole, is constantly evolving. You can discover it in simple street kitchens as well as in Michelin-starred restaurants. Gourmets should mark their calendars for the Qatar International Food Festival, which always takes place in March.
3 Dishes to Try in Qatar
- Samosa or Sambusak: The stuffed, deep-fried dumplings originated in ancient Persia and can be found in cuisines from Africa to China. While today's South Asian version, samosa, is larger, with a thick crust and potato filling, its smaller Arabic counterpart, sambusak, has a thinner crust and is filled with ground meat, spinach or cheese. Served with a variety of chutneys, these little flavor packets make great appetizers or side dishes.
- Shawarma: For what is probably the best-known street food in Middle Eastern countries, chicken or beef is placed on a rotating skewer and slowly grilled. The crispy cooked edges are shaved off piece by piece into bite-sized pieces and served wrapped in bread along with salad, spicy and yogurt sauce, and often fries. The types of bread range from thick round rolls to flat pita breads to Arabic ghubuz or paper-thin saj - depending on whether it's the Lebanese, Turkish, Syrian or general "Arab" variety.
- Falafel: Falafel is a traditional vegan snack in the form of small crispy balls that are deep-fried either in a circular form or flattened and eaten with salad and sauce. Falafel are formed from ground chickpeas (sometimes fava beans or both) mixed with garlic, parsley, cilantro and tahini.
- Shawarma: For what is probably the best-known street food in Middle Eastern countries, chicken or beef is placed on a rotating skewer and slowly grilled. The crispy cooked edges are shaved off piece by piece into bite-sized pieces and served wrapped in bread along with salad, spicy and yogurt sauce, and often fries. The types of bread range from thick round rolls to flat pita breads to Arabic ghubuz or paper-thin saj - depending on whether it's the Lebanese, Turkish, Syrian or general "Arab" variety.
- Falafel: Falafel is a traditional vegan snack in the form of small crispy balls that are deep-fried either in a circular form or flattened and eaten with salad and sauce. Falafel are formed from ground chickpeas (sometimes fava beans or both) mixed with garlic, parsley, cilantro and tahini.
Restaurants and
Cafes in Qatar
Qatar's diverse cuisine spans the gamut from traditional dishes to upscale and gourmet cuisine to modern and experimental creations. Let us whet your appetite for Qatar's diverse, multicultural restaurant scene right now.
Street Food
Festival in Katar
Street food has long been more than a simple snack. It often consists of refined dishes, especially by young chefs who creatively further develop traditional recipes, authentic food, revealing the culinary soul of a country.
Chefs of Qatar
The Chefs of Qatar initiative brings together Qatar's most renowned chefs. At their virtual food festival, they showcase their skills and masterfully demonstrate how Arabic and international cuisine can be combined. A treat to enjoy at home.
Live Cooking Competition
If you love entertainment, you can't miss Hospitality Qatar's live cooking competitions and culinary salons. Watch Qatar's best chefs at their craft and get inspired by their creativity.
Restaurants and Cafes in Qatar
Qatar's diverse cuisine spans the gamut from traditional dishes to upscale and gourmet cuisine to modern and experimental creations. Let us whet your appetite for Qatar's diverse, multicultural restaurant scene right now.
Street Food Festival in Katar
Street food has long been more than a simple snack. It often consists of refined dishes, especially by young chefs who creatively further develop traditional recipes, authentic food, revealing the culinary soul of a country.
Chefs of Qatar
The Chefs of Qatar initiative brings together Qatar's most renowned chefs. At their virtual food festival, they showcase their skills and masterfully demonstrate how Arabic and international cuisine can be combined. A treat to enjoy at home.
Live Cooking Competition
If you love entertainment, you can't miss Hospitality Qatar's live cooking competitions and culinary salons. Watch Qatar's best chefs at their craft and get inspired by their creativity.
Discover more
Business
Looking for business opportunities or business partners in Qatar? Discover here what Qatar can offer you and your business.
Travel
Qatar is a paradise for adventurous and active vacationers, while also providing the opportunity for relaxation at the beaches of the Arabian Gulf.
Sport
Qatar, host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, welcomes you to a country characterized by sportsmanship and a great love for soccer.
Culture
Interested in experiencing art and culture while traveling? As a cultural hub, Qatar welcomes its guests with a fascinating blend of history and tradition, modern culture and lifestyle.
Culture
Interested in experiencing art and culture while traveling? As a cultural hub, Qatar welcomes its guests with a fascinating blend of history and tradition, modern culture and lifestyle.
Sport
Qatar, host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, welcomes you to a country characterized by sportsmanship and a great love for soccer.
Travel
Qatar is a paradise for adventurous and active vacationers, while also providing the opportunity for relaxation at the beaches of the Arabian Gulf.
Business
Looking for business opportunities or business partners in Qatar? Discover here what Qatar can offer you and your business.
Culture
Interested in experiencing art and culture while traveling? As a cultural hub, Qatar welcomes its guests with a fascinating blend of history and tradition, modern culture and lifestyle.
Sport
Qatar, host of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, welcomes you to a country characterized by sportsmanship and a great love for soccer.
Travel
Qatar is a paradise for adventurous and active vacationers, while also providing the opportunity for relaxation at the beaches of the Arabian Gulf.
Business
Looking for business opportunities or business partners in Qatar? Discover here what Qatar can offer you and your business.
