Top 10 Food In Qatar: Traditional Dishes And Modern Bites

Food in Qatar offers a true glimpse into the country’s culture, blending aromatic spices, slow-cooked meats, and fresh local produce. Traditional meals are often warm and comforting, made to be shared with family and guests. Each plate tells a story of hospitality and heritage, from rich rice dishes and hearty stews to dates and sweet pastries. With its balance of taste and cultural pride, these dishes leave lasting impressions on locals and visitors. These offer an authentic way to experience Qatari life beyond the surface.

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10 Famous Food In Qatar

Here are the top 10 best food in Qatar, each offering a unique taste of the country’s traditions and culture:

1. Machboos

An image of Machboos, a rice dish with meat, spices, and vegetables, one of the best food in Qatar.

Photo: Miansari66 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Machboos is a staple dish in Qatar made with rice, meat, and a mixture of spices. The dish features chicken, lamb, or fish slow-cooked in a broth made with ingredients like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and dried lime. The rice absorbs the spiced broth, becoming tender and fragrant. Machboos are often served during special occasions, symbolising Qatari hospitality. The dish is highly regarded for its balance of taste and texture, making it a comforting and satisfying meal.

Best Places To Try: Doha, Al Wakrah
Dish Variations: Machboos can be made with chicken, lamb, or fish; sometimes, it includes dried fruits, nuts, or saffron for extra flavour

2. Harees

An image of Harees, a creamy, mildly spiced dish made from ground wheat and meat.

Photo: Miansari66 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Harees is a traditional Qatari dish made by slow-cooking cracked wheat and meat. This is usually chicken or lamb until the ingredients combine into a creamy, porridge-like consistency. It is seasoned with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, though the dish relies on the natural taste of the wheat and meat. Harees are often prepared during Ramadan and other special occasions. It’s frequently topped with ghee or butter, which adds a silky finish to the dish.

Best Places To Try: Al Khor, Al Rayyan
Dish Variations: Harees can be cooked with either chicken or lamb and sometimes it’s topped with ghee or nuts for added texture

3. Thareed

An image of Thareed, a stew with meat, vegetables, and bread, one of the most famous foods in Qatar.

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Thareed is a stew made with meat, vegetables, and bread, traditionally enjoyed in Qatar. The dish includes lamb or chicken simmered in a tomato-based broth and ingredients like potatoes, carrots, and zucchini. The bread is placed at the bottom of the pot and soaked in the stew, absorbing the flavours of the broth. Thareed is typically served as a main course during family meals, particularly during Ramadan. The texture of the bread combined with the tender meat makes it a satisfying and nourishing dish.

Best Places To Try: Al Wakrah, Souq Waqif (Doha)
Dish Variations: Thareed can vary by choice of meat, typically chicken or lamb, and it can include different vegetables or types of bread

4. Balaleet

An image of Balaleet, a famous Qatari breakfast dish with vermicelli noodles and a fried egg.

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Balaleet is a famous food in Qatar, made from vermicelli noodles sweetened with sugar and flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and rose water. The noodles are cooked until soft and combined with a savoury fried egg on top. The contrast between the sweet noodles and the savoury egg creates a distinctive taste, making it a favourite among Qatari families. Balaleet is often enjoyed during festive occasions like Eid and offers a unique blend of tastes and textures. Its blend of sweetness and saltiness is a key feature of traditional Qatari cuisine.

Best Places To Try: Doha Corniche area, Al Rayyan
Dish Variations: Some versions of Balaleet include fried onions or additional spices like cumin or cinnamon for a more complex taste

5. Saloona

An image of a stew resembling the Saloona, a stew with meat, vegetables, and spices.

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Saloona is a comforting stew made with meat, vegetables, and a tomato-based broth. The dish often includes lamb or chicken and is slow-cooked with ingredients like potatoes, carrots, and okra. The vegetables and meat absorb the flavours from the broth, resulting in a tender, soft texture. Saloona is typically seasoned with garlic, ginger, turmeric, and black pepper, creating a warming and satisfying meal. It’s a dish that is loved for its simplicity, nourishing qualities, and the way it brings family and friends together around the table.

Best Places To Try: Al Jasra (Doha), Lusail
Dish Variations: Saloona can be made with either lamb or chicken, and the spices can range from mild to intense, depending on preference

6. Madrouba

An image of a dish resembling the Madrouba, a famous food in Qatar, often served during Ramadan.

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Madrouba is a creamy Qatari dish made from rice, chicken, and a blend of spices. The rice and chicken are slow-cooked together until the grains soften and break apart. The dish is typically seasoned with turmeric, cumin, and garlic, allowing the natural taste of the chicken and rice to shine through. Madrouba is often served during Ramadan and is appreciated for its filling and easy-to-digest qualities. It is commonly garnished with fried onions or herbs for added texture and flavour, making it a complete meal.

Best Places To Try: Al Sadd (Doha), Umm Salal
Dish Variations: Madrouba is typically cooked with chicken, but it can also be made with beef or lamb, and some versions include extra spices like coriander or cinnamon

7. Kousa Mahshi

An image showing a view of Kousa Mahshi, one of the most tasty and famous food in Qatar.

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Kousa Mahshi is a Qatari dish where zucchini is hollowed out and stuffed with a mixture of rice, minced meat, and spices. The stuffed zucchini is then simmered in a tomato-based sauce. The result is a tender vegetable with a savoury filling, offering a balance of textures. Kousa Mahshi is a popular dish served during special occasions and family gatherings. Its combination of vegetables and meat makes it both satisfying and nutritious, reflecting Qatari home-cooked traditions.

Best Places To Try: Al Wakrah, Al Gharrafa
Dish Variations: Kousa Mahshi can be cooked with rice mixed with lamb, beef, or chicken; some recipes also include different herbs or nuts

8. Luqaimat

An image of small deep-fried dough balls soaked in date syrup, a sweet Qatari dessert.

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Luqaimat are small, deep-fried dough balls that are soft inside and crispy on the outside. The dough is flavoured with saffron and cardamom, giving it a light, fragrant sweetness. Once fried, Luqaimat is soaked in date syrup or drizzled with honey. This popular Qatari dessert is often enjoyed during Ramadan and festive occasions and is served alongside Arabic coffee. Their warm, sweet taste and crispy texture make Luqaimat a favourite treat for children and adults, offering a delightful end to any meal.

Best Places To Try: Souq Waqif (Doha), Katara Cultural Village
Dish Variations: Luqaimat can be drizzled with date syrup, honey, or powdered sugar; sometimes, it’s sprinkled with sesame seeds for crunch

9. Margoog

An image of a stew similar to the Margoog, a traditional Qatari stew with meat and vegetables.

Photo: zweifelsfreimitb / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only

Margoog, a popular food in Qatar, is a stew that features meat, vegetables, and pieces of hand-rolled wheat dough. The dough is added to the stew, which absorbs the tomato-based broth’s flavours. Typically made with lamb or chicken, Margoog includes vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and carrots. The dough adds a unique texture to the dish, filling and satisfying. It is often served as a family meal and is especially popular during colder months. Margoog is a staple that represents Qatari home-cooked meals and communal dining.

Best Places To Try: Al Rayyan, Al Thumama
Dish Variations: Margoog can be prepared with lamb, chicken, or beef; the dough pieces can vary in thickness and texture, with different spices added

10. Khabees

An image of a crumbly, sweet dessert made from roasted flour, saffron, and cardamom, a Qatari treat.

Photo: Boonlert / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Khabees is a traditional Qatari dessert made from roasted flour, sugar, ghee, saffron, and cardamom. The mixture is cooked slowly until it forms a soft, crumbly texture. It is often served warm and is known for its mild sweetness and spiced aroma. Khabees are commonly prepared during special occasions, including Eid and family gatherings. The dish is simple yet filling, offering a smooth finish to a meal. Its rich taste comes from the balance of roasted flour and aromatic spices. Khabees is a familiar treat across Qatar and is enjoyed for its flavour and traditional value.

Best Places To Try: Doha, Al Khor
Dish Variations: Khabees can be cooked with additional nuts or dried fruits

The food in Qatar provides a taste of the country’s rich culture and traditions. Dishes like Machboos, Harees, and Luqaimat showcase local flavours that are both comforting and satisfying. Each dish tells a story of Qatari hospitality and heritage. To explore more about Qatar and plan your next trip, book your trip with TripXL to find great travel options for a memorable journey to Qatar.

Cover Photo: Droodkin / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

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