Doha is coming alive this week as it prepares to welcome thousands of visitors for the inagural editon of Art Basel. The fair may be the headline attraction, but for many visitors, the city’s dining scene offers an equally compelling reason to explore.
While Doha’s food scene has at times been overlooked, a lot has happened in the Gulf state over the past few years. International names have opened their doors, meanwhile local chefs have made their mark on the capital infusing family food traditions with a modern contemporary flair. Its food scene has become a real melting pot of flavours making it a foodies paradise for those who are willing to explore xxxx.
For those drawn to the city by art, Doha offers the opportunity to combine food and art as a full experience. Unlike many global capitals, some of Doha’s most celebrated restaurants are themselves embedded within major cultural venues. Jiwan, recognised by the Michelin Guide, is located inside the National Museum of Qatar, while the city’s most prestigious dining destination, the one-Michelin-star IDAM by Alain Ducasse, sits within the striking Museum of Islamic Art.
Whether you are visiting for Art Basel, or just looking for a short trip from the UAE, Doha should definitely be on your list of places to eat.
Recently awarded one Michelin star, Alba stands among the city’s most celebrated Italian dining destinations. Set within the luxurious Raffles Doha, part of the iconic Katara Towers, the restaurant reimagines the flavours of northern Italy’s Piedmont region and the town from which it takes its name, Alba.
The menu is defined by white truffles, an ingredient the region is famed for, alongside refined classics such as vitello tonnato, cacio e pepe, spaghetti with beluga caviar, roasted sea bass, veal Milanese and, naturally, truffle pizza.
Polished yet inviting, the experience feels both elevated and accessible, making it an ideal choice for celebrating a special occasion or simply savouring delicious Italian cuisine.
Any restaurant carrying the name Alain Ducasse comes with high expectations—and this Doha dining destination delivers. Set atop the Museum of Islamic Art, the restaurant marries French technique with Arabic flavours for a polished, memorable experience. From Philippe Starck–designed interiors and sweeping skyline views to consistently precise service, every detail has been given thoughtful consideration, making it no surprise the restaurant has retained its Michelin star for a second consecutive year.
The tasting menu evolves with the seasons, highlighting local ingredients and guiding guests through a culinary journey. Some recent dishes include wild turbot with walnut and pine vinaigrette finished with black truffle; and charred red mullet with sea urchin. On the meat side main courses include oxtail with sea spaghetti and loomi and lamb saddle stuffed with morels and wild garlic.
Located on the top of Qatar’s National Museum, this restaurant is worth a visit just for its views. Its name comes from the term given in pearl-grading for a perfectly lustrous pearl in reference to Doha’s history as a pearl-diving powerhouse. Focusing on Middle eastern cuisine, more specifically Qatari cuisine, the concept is rooted in sharing a meal together, very typical middle eastern values. Dishes revolve around traditional middle eastern flavours reimagined by a contemporary touch, exemplified by the slow-cooked lamb shoulder with date and fennel to locally caught fish rubbed in aromatic chorba. While the set menu offers an abundant and excellent-value introduction, the tasting menu offers the most complete experience of the kitchen’s ambition.
Located at The Pearl‑Qatar, this London-inspired eatery is as much a visual spectacle as it is a dining destination. Lush gardens, glass conservatories and light-filled dining spaces make it Instagram worthy, but it’s the food is equally a reason to visit. Rooted in the coastal regions of southeastern China, the menu focuses on Nanyang cuisine presented in a contemporary modern touch. Among the signatures are sand and salt-baked chicken, which is wrapped in lotus leaves and taken to a spot in the desert where it’s buried before being cooked under coals. Other dishes infuse Chinese cooking methods such as grilling Calamari in Banana Leaves. Desserts are equally as creative, such as the ‘Pandan ‘Sponge’ Coconut that comes with Sago Pearls’. Pandan is a beloved flavour in southerneastern China, considered as Nanyang’s version of vanilla. The dessert comes with a Pandan cake & sago pearls, salted coconut macaroon & ice-cream.
For those looking for a more low-key dining destination, Chabrat Al Mina located right next to Doha’s fish market is a must try. This venue is beloved by locals, usually packed with family and friends on weekends. The menu centres on fresh seafood, with a changing selection of daily catches. Visitors can choose how they want their fish prepared and cooking style: Mediterranean, Far Eastern, Arabic, or Japanese. The concept of the restaurant is that visitors pay for the weight of the fish you choose, making it a great option for those dining in larger groups, or perhaps those just looking for a small bite.
