Qatari food has developed over the centuries, drawing inspiration from North African, Bedouin and Indian cultures. Today, food lovers in Doha are treated to a complex culinary culture that combines the best flavours, spices and cooking techniques in ways that are unforgettable. Here are some of the best traditional dishes to try when touring Qatar’s bustling capital city.

Balaleet

Balaleet | Image by Mohamed Toorani via Wikimedia Commons

This dish is based on a unique combination of Vermicelli and Omelette that is flavoured with saffron, rose water, and sugar and topped with pistachios. The sweet and savoury combination of Balaleet might taste unusual for some but it is nevertheless a popular dish enjoyed during Eid-al-Fitr celebrations with friends and family.

Majboos

This is the national dish of Qatar and is a must-try when visiting Doha. Majboos consists of a bed of flavourful rice, on top of which is either slow-cooked chicken or lamb. This is accompanied by a salad and tomato sauce. As the national dish of the country, Majboos can be found at any of the restaurants in Doha. A good place to start is the Majboos Al Walaida, a takeaway kitchen located in the city just a short distance away from the Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli which provides tourists with the best Doha hotel deals.

Luqaimat

This is a popular dessert snack in Doha consisting of fried sweet dumplings flavoured with saffron and cardamom and soaked in sugar syrup. In this way, it resembles a fried doughnut that is shaped like a dumpling. Luqaimat is enjoyed for its contrasting textures, a crunchy outer surface with a soft interior.

Saloona

Saloona is a classic Arabic stew often served at family dinners. It is popular among the locals as it is a dish that can be prepared with any combination of meat and vegetables. It is usually prepared with beef, fish or lamb with seasonal vegetables like carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and more, and flavoured with garlic and ginger. It is best enjoyed with a serving of bread or rice to soak up the broth.

Kousa Mahshi

This is a popular Middle-Eastern dish found in restaurants across the city. The dish is a serving of zucchinis stuffed with minced lamb and vegetables, and seasoned with mint and parsley. It tastes best when served when dipped in yoghurt or tomato paste. An alternate version of the dish is also served for vegetarians with chickpeas instead of lamb.

Madrouba

Enjoyed at any time of the day, Madrouba is a rice porridge cooked with butter, milk, chicken and cardamom. The dish is prepared over a long period of time as it needs to be simmered until the porridge takes on a thick, sticky texture. While Madrouba can be enjoyed at any restaurant or eatery in the city, each place serves its own version of Madrouba with various flavours and ingredients. This makes it a rather interesting dish to try in Doha for the culinary adventurous.