Food in Qatar

Qatar, a jewel of the Arabian Peninsula, entices travelers with its impressive skyline, rich cultural tapestry, and a culinary scene that is as diverse as its population. Qatari cuisine, a blend of Arabian and Persian influences, offers an array of flavors that are both exotic and comforting. Visitors to this dynamic country will find traditional dishes alongside modern culinary innovations. Discover the must-try foods and dining experiences that make a trip to Qatar a feast for the senses.

Qatari Dishes

Machboos

Machboos, also known as Kabsa, is a fragrant rice dish that's considered the national dish of Qatar. It's a rich, spiced dish typically made with basmati rice, vegetables, and meat, such as chicken, lamb, or fish. The rice is seasoned with a blend of spices including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, and often garnished with nuts and raisins. The dish is usually cooked in a single pot, with the meat becoming tender and infused with the flavors of the spices.

Thareed

Thareed is a traditional Qatari stew that's often described as a cross between a soup and a casserole. It's made with vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and beans, and meat like chicken or lamb. What sets thareed apart is the addition of thin bread known as "khobz regag" or "rukhal," which is layered at the bottom of the dish and soaks up the flavorful stew, giving it a unique texture.

Madrouba

Madrouba, meaning "beaten" in Arabic, is a hearty dish where rice is cooked with chicken or lamb until it becomes soft and porridge-like. The mixture is then mashed and seasoned with garlic, butter, and a variety of spices, including cardamom and baharat, a Middle Eastern spice blend. Madrouba is a comfort food that's enjoyed for its creamy consistency and rich flavor.

Salona

Salona is a flavorful Qatari stew that's brimming with vegetables and tender pieces of meat, commonly chicken or lamb. It's seasoned with a mixture of aromatic spices and herbs, such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. The stew often includes tomatoes, which give it a slightly tangy taste, and it's typically served with a side of rice or bread for dipping.

Harees

Harees is a traditional dish particularly popular during Ramadan and on festive occasions. It's made with wheat mixed with meat, usually chicken or lamb, and cooked over a low heat for several hours until the wheat grains disintegrate and blend with the meat to form a smooth, paste-like consistency. It's seasoned with cinnamon and cardamom and is often topped with ghee (clarified butter) before serving.

Balaleet

Balaleet is a unique sweet-and-salty dish typically served for breakfast in Qatar. It consists of vermicelli noodles that are sweetened with sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom, then topped with a savory omelet. The combination of flavors and textures makes Balaleet a distinctive and popular choice for starting the day.

Margooga

Margooga is a hearty vegetable stew that's thickened with dumplings made from flour and seasoned with a variety of spices. The stew typically includes eggplant, carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes, along with chunks of meat such as lamb or chicken. It's a flavorful dish that showcases the use of vegetables in Qatari cuisine.

Luqaimat

Luqaimat are small, sweet dumplings that are a staple dessert in Qatar. They are made from a batter of flour, yeast, and sugar, which is deep-fried until golden brown and then drizzled with date syrup or honey. These bite-sized treats are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, often served during Ramadan and special occasions.

Warak Enab

Warak Enab, or stuffed grape leaves, is a dish that's enjoyed across the Middle East, including Qatar. Grape leaves are filled with a mixture of rice, minced meat, and spices, then rolled into small parcels and cooked in a tangy tomato sauce. They can be served as an appetizer or a main dish.

Ghuzi

Ghuzi, also known as Khuzi, is a whole roasted lamb served on top of a bed of rice mixed with nuts, such as pine nuts and pistachios, and raisins. This dish is often a centerpiece at celebrations and large gatherings, showcasing the generosity of Qatari hospitality.

Qatari Desserts

Umm Ali

Umm Ali, often referred to as the Middle Eastern version of bread pudding, is a warm, comforting dessert made with puff pastry, milk, and sugar, and often mixed with a variety of ingredients such as nuts, raisins, and coconut flakes. It's baked until the top is golden and crispy, and served hot, often with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Esh Asaraya

Esh Asaraya, meaning "the bread of the harem," is a rich and sweet cheesecake-like dessert. It consists of a base of sweetened bread that's soaked in syrup, covered with a layer of clotted cream or cheese, and typically garnished with pistachios. It's known for its creamy texture and sweet flavor, making it a favorite among sweet-toothed locals and visitors alike.

Qatayef

Qatayef is a popular dessert, especially during the month of Ramadan. These sweet dumplings are made from a batter that's cooked like pancakes, filled with sweet cheese or nuts, and then folded into a half-moon shape. They can be either baked or fried and are often drizzled with syrup or sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Mebrum

Mebrum is a date-filled pastry that's a common treat in Qatari cuisine. It consists of a thin layer of dough wrapped around a filling of sweet dates and flavored with cardamom. The rolls are then fried until crispy and dipped in sugar syrup, making them a delightful blend of textures and flavors.

Batheet

Batheet is a traditional Qatari dessert made from dates and flour. The ingredients are combined into a dough, shaped into small cakes or balls, and then baked. Often flavored with spices such as saffron and cardamom, Batheet is a simple yet satisfying sweet that pairs perfectly with a cup of Arabic coffee.