Back to Doha top restaurants and wonders
From fine dining to kids friendly and fusion cuisine, that’s us back in top restaurants in Doha, one gem and culinary destination in the azure Persian Gulf, a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Can you in drink in Qatar? We love a glass of wine or champagne with a good lunch or dinner; and whilst Qatar laws on alcohol are conservative, we found some of the finest wines and cocktails in Doha, seriously rivalling London’s. Qatar in a nutshell: one underrated family friendly, authentic Middle East destination: soak in Islamic culture, striking architecture and contemporary museums; adventures at sea and desert; safaris, diving, events and concerts. We raved last year about a roadtrip from Doha to Dubai, this year we were back again to soak in some more of Qatar wonders and Doha gastronomy. The hospitality scene spoils at a different level: sushi on rooftops over sunset and gorgeous beach bars, gardenia terraces by the canals or in the middle of the desert and by the Inland Sea nature reserve; here are our favourites and best restaurants in Qatar after 2 trips in consecutive years.
1. St Regis Doha where we spent a blissful week has 16 restaurants and it is very difficult to try them all even in 7 days! We adored the Fisherman’s Night at the Vine, it is difficult to pick the favourite dishes: the tuna tataki was spot on, the scallops came on an asparagus pure with nuts, the seafood risotto rivals some of the very best we had in Italy, the octopus on a bed of hummus was out of this world.
The kids feasted on sushi, the adults had the local version of paella served with tahini sauces and spices, the salads were full of flavour and the magic was ON – candlelit dinner under the stars and live DJ. The kids eventually ran off to their friends, leaving us stargazing and testing the chocolate treats. Just wow.
2. Provok for a splendid early dinner overlooking spectacular Qatar sunset from the 33rd & 34th floor. A South Korean lovely chef treated us with fabulous sushi, Korean Miso soup – richer and smokier to quote a certain 11 years old; creative tiny bites including tuna, meats and salmon perfectly accompanied by rose wine.
Sunset in December is right before 5pm, so do arrive 15 minutes earlier to soak in the views – the light at this time over Doha feels magic, whilst the blue of the Gulf soothes one’s eyes. 33rd floor is a wonderful journey the children confessed: very cool elevators, whilst the parents loved the outdoor terrace at sunset time.
3. Hakkasan Doha is as fantastic as London and in case you over indulged like us at breakfast and brunch, there is a Hakkatini option that includes 2 drinks and 1 bite – we tried the lychee martini, prosecco and the Hakkatini – fantastic music and company with the cool bartenders. St Regis made it flawlessly easy to roll from Vilebrequin La Plage to the spa (gym optional before) and thereafter into dining indoors or under the stars .
For hungrier guests, the modern design and contemporary Cantonese cuisine take the spotlight; our kids adore their crispy salt and pepper squid, noodles and tofu; whilst we love their dim sums and grilled Chilean sea bass. Every Friday Hakkasan Doha hosts a brunch inspired by one of the ‘Five Blessings’ – long life, happiness, and harmony; thrilled to soak them all in here.
4. We also can’t talk about Vilebrequin La Plage without mentioning French Riviera lifestyle coming to Qatar’s including one giant and iconic outdoor pool; a fabulous beach experience complete with fine dining and luxury retail.
The water sports are also next door, we tested the sailing and high-speed jet skis, carving our way through crystal clear waters definitely faster than I ever envisaged! And for violin performances on the beach from an 11 years old, check those out – violin practice is better by the sea; whilst Xmas edition mash-up here.
5. Sel et miel at Ritz Carlton for one great French restaurant: eye-catching Paris motifs including a miniature Eiffel tower, exquisite food, drinks and French bread. I indulged into bouillabaisse and endives salad, whilst the boys devoured 1 steak, 1 burger and chicken nuggets; the rose wine is optional but we found it delightfully suited.
A lovely experience with ice-cream for desert and refreshing watermelon juice. There is a fabulous garden with tables and heaters as well as fashionable inside option by the fountain or the restaurant itself; the kids said one of their Doha favourites!
6. Same Ritz Carlton Doha as (5) above treated us with one fantastic farm to table brunch by the Lagoon . The kids had a blast : organic vegetables from Ritz kids farm to cute goats, turkeys, geese and ducks to be fed; bouncy castle and kids corner activities outdoors. Felt festive and vibrant with the gingerbread house making activities of December, sweets to be applied by the young architects or simply eaten – a well rehearsed activity over the years in London with the Gingerbread City, delighted to find it in Doha !
The buffet spoils with fresh seafood, barbecues, salads and Qatari treats, whilst the kids were thrilled to get popcorn, fries, mini burgers, nuggets, to mention just a few. The children deserts are great fun they said, with Haribo’s, fruit, marshmallows on sticks, chocolate fountain; after so much food and sugar, the parents were thrilled once again about the fun outside, bouncy castle and pet-feeding pen with goats and chickens.
7. Novikov is also at St Regis, beach bar included! The food options are exquisite, St Regis beach lovely, options for water sports and renting boats, cool music and sunbeds. We had to test in the evening also the martinis in here and the snacks, some lovely, healthy crudites and dips.
8. More sushi cravings? In Doha we also indulged in the highest, most exquisite sushi at Zengo: 61st and 62nd floor at Kempinski and ended up the evening in extinguished company: an ambassadors reunion, Japan, Nigeria, UK, Indonesia and so much more.
9. La Bodega Negra also by St Regis for a vibrant Mexican hacienda-style : fresh, modern Mexican food paired with delicious cocktails. A long hallway with a black and white chequered floor; a high ceiling with wooden beams and statuettes against walls, vintage mirrors and massive doors – feels like one’s set foot in a multi-millionaire Mexican countryside estate. The bar is buzzing, the hacienda interiors cosy, dim lights, lots of woodwork and dark colours. We loved the spicy prawn tacos and crispy calamari, tasty chipotle garlic and salsa macha. Yum!
10. Kempinski Pearl restaurants – between Venetian canals we alternated between late breakfasts and Lobito de Mar – one casual seafood tapas bar and restaurant, easy with kids but also fresh and yum.
Croquettes and fresh seafood, paella and creamy lobster rice are some of our highlights from the menu; a beach chiringuito, with a well diversified menu; Dani Garcia brings Andalusia and Alicante to Doha.
11. 1 hour drive from Doha and on the way to the inland sea, there’s the fabulous Outpost Al Barari: spend the night or just treat yourself with late lunch, drinks or spa by sunset and stunning desert dunes.
Doha is slightly more compact than Dubai and with kids in tow it may be easier to go from vibrant souks selling spices and traditional handicrafts to the beach, to the stunning Museum of Islamic Art or strolling along the Corniche or Katara Cultural Village. Also we find it less crowded than Dubai and more chilled; Doha has glitz and glamour, tones of culture, out of this world architecture and fab nature and wildlife – one city and stunning country that our kids fell in love with.
Can you drink in Qatar? We love a glass of wine or champagne with a good lunch or dinner and in Doha we had no problem in finding fine wines in the restaurants and hotels above (1-10 more specifically as the Outpost Al Barari is dry). Cocktails are also rivalling London’s best bars and hotels, St Regis’s Hakkasan, Bodega Negra and Provok in our top choices. Wider and outside hotels, Qatar has very conservative laws around alcohol, with dedicated licensed bars and hotels. Banana Island hotel and the Outpost Al Barari for example, are dry, luxurious, stunning experiences.
Dazzled with so many choices? Here’s a recap for top restaurants in Doha : best brunch with kids head to Farm to table Ritz Carlton; best sunset drinks and bites from rooftop at Provok; best seafood night with live DJ no doubt St Regis at the Vine; best chilled vibes and beach at Vilebrequin Plage or Novikov; best desert stopover or overnight for Inland Sea at the Outpost. Qatar you have spoilt us so much, once again!
For more inspiration in the region, head to our best roadtrips from Dubai in here; Dubai with a baby; Christmas in Abu Dhabi and what to wear in here. For more roadtrips within the area and sunshine, check Jordan and Petra head here ; 10 days Oman adventure holidays in here (Muscat, Al Hajar mountains, the wadis, dessert and Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve); and Egypt’s pyramids and Red Sea diving here.
PS: Many thanks to St Regis and Ritz Carlton for the dinner and brunch treats, Doha we had a culinary and culture blast and will be back! A salut d’amor and Cantabile from a certain 11 years old in here <3
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