Qatar’s cuisine is a fusion of Bedouin traditions and Gulf influences, rich in both flavour and texture. There are high-end restaurants as well as bustling souks. Wherever you choose to eat, these are the top dishes you must try.

Saloona 

A filling, home-style stew, Saloona is a Qatari staple made with lamb or chicken. It’s slow-cooked with tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and fragrant spices. It’s often served with soft, pillowy bread to soak up every bit of the rich broth.

Majboos

Considered Qatar’s national dish, Majboos is an aromatic rice dish that shares many characteristics with the Indian favourite, Biryani. The meat is often lamb or chicken, and it’s always served with a side of tangy yoghurt or salad.

Where can you try it? Almost anywhere, from souks to the best restaurants in Doha, Qatar, featured by the likes of Al Najada Doha Hotel Apartments by Oaks.

Warak Enab

Think of these as packets of joy. Warak Enab consists of grape leaves stuffed with a mix of rice, meat, and aromatic spices. A favourite festive food, Warak Enab is often served at family gatherings.

Balaleet

rice
Image by Thu Truong from Pixabay

A popular breakfast dish, Balaleet is a mixture of vermicelli noodles and eggs. The noodles are spiced up with cardamom, saffron, and rose water, giving them an amazing flavour and aroma. And the omelette on top just hits the spot.