In Qatar, breakfast is usually a light meal that includes yogurt, cheese, olives, and coffee, while lunch is the main meal, with mezze followed by main courses such as lamb or chicken stews. As for dinner, it is usually a light snack, except during Ramadan or special occasions. Overall, the country’s local cuisine is varied, complete with international influences. Here, Culture Trip has made a list of some of the must-try Qatari dishes. However, Qatari cuisine is an important part of their culture, and you should definitely try some of the traditional plates when living here. Qatar's traditional food is largely influenced by Iranian and Indian cuisines.
1. Machboos
This is a spiced rice dish that is mixed with any kind of marinated meat or seafood you may like, including chicken, beef, lamb, camel, and fish. It’s one of the most popular Qatari dishes. Some may sprinkle lemon juice and rose water on top to add an extra pang to the flavor. If all the spices aren’t enough for you, a spicy salsa dip is sometimes served next to this dish.
2. Harees
Similar in consistency to porridge, Harees is made up of boiled or ground wheat, meat, and butter. It’s a well-known dish in the GCC and very popular during the Holy Month of Ramadan, Eid, and other festive occasions. For garnishing, cinnamon and cardamom are the most used.
3. Thareed
This dish is comparable to a pot of stew. It’s a blend of vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and beans, mixed with chicken or lamb. Bread soaked in the stew is placed at the bottom of the dish, making the bread soft and full of flavor. It’s all covered with tomato sauce and spices. You may think of it as a lasagna dish made the Qatari way.
4. Balaleet
Sometimes a breakfast, other times a dessert, it’s a savory dish with contrasting flavors of sweet and salty. It consists of fried vermicelli noodles, cooked with sugar, cinnamon, saffron, and cardamom, then topped with an omelet. Some may also sprinkle various nuts on it.
5. Saloona
This is a spicy meat and/or vegetable broth. It usually contains lots of tomatoes, aubergine, carrots, and potatoes. It can be eaten by itself or you can have it with rice.
6. Margoog
This is a dish full of fiber and essential vitamins. It’s usually prepared with zucchini, carrots, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, and tenderized meat. Raw bread dough is usually used after being kneaded to a thin layer, cut into pieces, and boiled in the stock so it can soak up all the flavor. One of the best places to try it is Meshwar Al-Khaleej restaurant in Madinat Khalifa.
7. Madrouba
This dish is a bit similar to Harees. It is rice cooked with milk, butter and flavored with cardamom. The meat is stewed along with mashed beans.
8. Luqaimat
Soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside, this is the perfect dessert. This is basically deep-fried dough dipped in syrup or honey. Luqaimat is an Arabic word for “bite-sized” and it’s a very popular Arab dish, especially in the Holy Month of Ramadan. There are different ways of preparation, however, Qataris usually make it with butter, milk, flour, sugar, saffron, and cardamom.
9. Kousa Mahshi
Kousa mahshi is Middle Eastern courgettes stuffed with minced lamb and vegetables and seasoned with parsley and mint. You can also find many Doha restaurants serving chickpea versions for vegetarians. Dip them in tomato paste or yogurt for the complete experience.
10. Umm Ali
Umm Ali is a type of dessert most associated with Egypt, but Qatar does its own equally delicious version. It's similar to bread pudding, made with raisins, chopped nuts, and sweetened milk and baked until brown and crispy on top, then sprinkled with cinnamon. It's probably one of the sweetest of Qatar's desserts.
Even though Karaki specializes in the sweet Karak tea it's named for, they're also making a name for themselves with desserts and pastries. The Umm Ali here is creamy and filling, with lots of dried fruit and a beautifully aromatic blend of spices
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