While Arabian cuisine is based on the traditional foods of the nomadic tribes – who ate what they could carry – Qatari cuisine is based the traditional foods of just about anywhere and everywhere! In keeping with its historic status as an international entrepôt, Qatar takes an international approach to eating out. Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Thai flavours mingle with those of Italy, France, the Mediterranean, Mexican and beyond. However, no visitor should miss the chance to sample local specialties. Supremely fresh fish and seafood from the Arabian Gulf is an obvious choice, with lobster, crab, shrimp, tuna, kingfish and red snapper topping the list of favourites. Meat dishes tend to be based on lamb – the nomadic tribes people would be accompanied by flocks of sheep – slow-cooked and served with a variety of side dishes.

Restrictions on the sale of alcohol means some visitors will opt to stay within the confines of the major hotels (where beers, wines and spirits are readily available) but the choice is sufficiently wide to cater for all tastes. For example, there are French/Mediterranean restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton, the Sheraton, the Ramada and the Mercure Grand; Italian restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton, the Sheraton, the Ramada and the Inter-Continental; and Tex-Mex restaurants at the Inter-Continental and the Marriott.

Common Arabian specialties include hummus (a paste made from chickpeas and sesame seeds), tabbouleh (chopped parsley, mint and crushed wheat); ghuzi (a whole roast lamb served on a bed of rice with pine-nuts), koussa mahsi (stuffed courgettes), and shawarma, grilled slivers of lamb or chicken, wrapped with salad in a pocket of Arab bread. Qatari specialties include matchbous (spiced lamb with rice), hareis (slow-cooked wheat and lamb) and seafood served with delicately-seasoned rice. Favourite desserts include a type of bread pudding called Umm Ali (literally, “Mother of Ali”), a sweet cheesecake with a cream topping, known as esh asaraya (“bread of the harem”), and mehalabiya, a pudding made with pistachios and rose-water. Breakfast is served early by western standards, and traditionally consists of yoghurt, cheese, olives and fruits washed down with strong coffee. Lunch is the main meal of the day, while dinner is a much lighter meal (except during Ramadan) and is usually served late in the evening.

Be sure to check out the Arabian cuisine which is available throughout Qatar, including the Balhambar Restaurant where diners are treated to traditional Qatari dishes prepared with pride by local residents. As a note of interest, the Balhambar Restaurant is an “investment project” of the Social Development Centre (an initiative of Qatar Foundation).

Local residents are trained at the restaurant to prepare traditional dishes in an effort to preserve the culture and heritage of Qatar. With the shimmering waters of the Arabian Gulf as a backdrop, combined with delicious traditional Qatari dishes, this is a dining experience not to be missed.