Sirine Boudjadi headed to The Square at InterContinental Doha The City to see what makes this brunch a weekend favourite and left with plenty of reasons to go back.

Fridays in Doha aren’t just another day off, they’re a state of mind. The city slows down, the emails stop and everyone seems to move in the same direction: towards brunch, a ritual that truly comes to life at The Square, tucked inside InterContinental Doha The City. It’s one of those names that always comes up when locals swap notes on where to eat, unwind and start the weekend right. Step inside and it’s easy to see why. The space is open and welcoming, with plenty of large tables that make it easy for groups of friends and families to gather, laugh and share plates together.

You can sit near the main action, close to the hum of sizzling pans or choose a more intimate corner, as we did. The curved wooden booths lined with plush blue sofas are especially inviting, made for long and lazy afternoons. It was quiet at first, then the room started to come alive: voices rising, glasses clinking, the live music kicking in.

More than the décor, it’s the sheer scale of the buffet that impressed us. I wouldn’t claim to have tried every brunch in Doha (even if, honestly, I’m working on it), but this one easily ranks among the biggest I’ve seen. A quick walk around before sitting down and we were already overwhelmed: seafood towers, roasts, sushi rolls and live stations you might not even spot until your second round. We arrived thinking we’d pace ourselves, but that plan didn’t last long. Everything looked far too good to resist!

Brunch Mode, Fully Activated

We kicked off with the cold appetisers. Plates of silky hummus, smoky moutabel jewelled with pomegranate and muhammara rich with roasted peppers and walnuts sat beside vibrant salads for every taste: Chicken Quinoa, German Potato, Beef Sausage… A quick spoonful of each was enough to set the tone: bright, fresh and full of flavour. Just a few steps away, the seafood section stole the spotlight. Mussels tossed with orange and herbs, bamboo trays of sushi rolled with salmon, crab and avocado, and buckets of oysters on ice shucked to order with soy, ponzu or hot sauce. One glance and it was clear, a second plate would be non-negotiable.

Next up, my favourite stop: the bread station, which could have been brunch all on its own. Crusty baguettes, soft rolls, bagels and warm flaky treats fresh from the oven… For anyone who judges a meal by its bread and butter, like I do, this was pure joy. The hot section turned things up. At the centre, a baked salmon glowed golden beside trays of roasted vegetables, while baskets overflowed with fried shrimp, calamari and whitebait. The air hung thick with the scent of butter, herbs and smoke. On ice, a line of gleaming fish waited for the grill. Point, choose and minutes later it’s seared to perfection and delivered to you. The snap of the crust and tender flesh made it impossible not to finish every bite.

The carnivore’s corner was even bigger with roast beef with herb crusts, slow-cooked lamb and beef Wellington wrapped in buttery pastry. At the live grill, skewers of chicken, lamb kefta, sirloin and tenderloin waited for their turn over the flames. Moments later, they returned to the table perfectly charred, juicy and ready for a dip in chimichurri, chilli butter, garlic or smoky BBQ glaze. And because no roast is complete without sides, creamy penne gratin, roasted onions with bacon, baked potatoes and glazed vegetables made sure indulgence had no limits.

Even though brunch at The Square is all about exploring the buffet, the staff made sure we never actually had to ask for anything: drinks were topped up, plates cleared and somehow, our table was always ready for another round.

Flavours Of The East

Just when it felt like we’d explored every corner of the buffet, another world appeared. The atmosphere shifted as we entered The Asian Kitchen, a high-end spin on a bustling street market. Bamboo steamers were stacked neatly beside sizzling woks, elegant fuchsia vases bloomed with painted flowers and rows of roasted ducks gleamed under warm lights.

On the counters, golden chicken and beef satay glistened in peanut marinades, next to crispy prawn and wontons, crunchy, salty and dangerously addictive with a dip of sweet chilli sauce. Large steaming pots held traditional favourites like Seafood Pad Cha, a Thai-style stir-fry brimming with herbs, basil, chilli and vegetables, fragrant enough to make us linger a little longer by the counter. We also went for something softer: the seafood egg drop soup. Simple, soothing and exactly the kind of warmth we needed at this point.

The real showstopper, though, was the live noodle station, a made-to-order experience that turned dining into pure play.

First, you choose your noodle base (rice, egg or vermicelli), then mix and match your favourites: chicken, shrimp, beef or vegetables. Next comes the flavour (Pad Thai, Mie Goreng or Singaporean), and the spice level, of course. A quick note on the order slip, a flash of wok fire from the chef and minutes later, steaming bowls of noodles landed on the table, fragrant and full of life.

For The Little Foodies

Coming back after yet another trip to the buffet (we’d lost count by then) we suddenly found ourselves face to face with a giant panda, waving, cracking jokes and stopping for photos. Within seconds, everyone was laughing, phones out, kids cheering. A small, unexpected moment that kept the atmosphere easy and fun.

And since brunch here is a family affair, The Square goes all in. Even the children get their own space at the Kids’ Corner, a colourful zone filled with games, cooking activities and a themed buffet made just for them. Between the gold domes, hanging lanterns and cartoon murals, it’s a full-on fantasy. Kids roll their own mini pizzas and pasta before dashing off to play, leaving their parents happily lingering over dessert and one last coffee. Now that’s a Friday done right! ✤

GO: CALL 7021 8803 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING.