Like most countries in the Gulf, Qatar’s native food has a slight influence of Persian and Arabian flavours and preparations. But locally, it’s cooked in its own specific style and character. Traditional Qatari cuisine uses simple elements, such as fish, meat, rice, dates and spices.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular local dishes.

Baid Tamat: A popular breakfast staple – scrambled eggs cooked with crushed tomatoes and aromatic spices.

Balaleet: A sweet and savoury vermicelli preparation, usually sweetened with sugar and cardamom, topped with an egg omelette, traditionally served at breakfast.

Harees: A well-known porridge-like dish, made with cracked wheat and meat, slow-cooked for more than eight hours, usually topped with melted butter, cinnamon.

Machboos: Considered a national dish across much of the Gulf, it is extremely popular. Seasoned rice along with chicken (sometimes fish) is prepared with a blend of aromatic spices, such as cloves and mainly black lime (also known as lumee), garnished with fried onions and served with tomato sauce.

Mumawwash: An aromatic rice preparation cooked with green lentils and spices, topped with dried shrimp.

Quzi (Ghoozi): A popular dish of roasted lamb, slow cooked with spices, served on a bed of rice with fried onions, nuts and raisins.

Local Catch
Because of its location in the Gulf, Qatar also offers a great choice of fresh fish. A favourite is hammour (grouper), which is typically served grilled, fried or steamed. Then there’s Safi (rabbit fish) and Sobaity (sea bream), both equally popular local varieties, usually served with rice.

Street Food
Qatar also dishes up to some delicious snacky street food, such as falafel – deep fried chickpea fritters, served in Arabic pita bread pockets with fresh greens and sauces; shawarma – chicken or lamb meat carved from a rotating spit, wrapped in pita bread with salad and sauces; malgoum – shawarma served in Indian paratha bread with cheese and French fries; samboosa – deep fried stuffed pastries filled with cheese, vegetables or meat; and many others.

Sweet Delights

Qatari Halwa: A favourite traditional dessert enjoyed by all, made with cornstarch, sugar, saffron, rosewater and nuts.

Luqaimat: Donut-like fried dumplings with saffron and cardamom, soaked in sweet syrup.

Besides food, Gahwa or Arabic coffee is another favourite – it has a distinct cardamom flavour and is usually served with dates. The Indian-inspired milky, spiced karak chai is becoming increasingly popular too.