Champions, as Fernanda Langhammer had the opportunity to discover, is the place to watch your favourite sports in a great atmosphere while enjoying delicious bites and drinks.

As the name suggests, Champions is a destination for sports enthusiasts but also the perfect place to go if you are looking for good food. Located at Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel, the eatery combines the best of both worlds with spectacular service.

With screens in different sizes throughout the space, it’s easy to find a spot to watch your team playing. However, if you are more interested in having a conversation with your mates, the booths with comfy red leather seats, placed in the centre give you a bit of privacy. There are red accents throughout, painting not only comfy sofas but also the stools by the counter, giving a vintage diner vibe. My dining companion and I chose one of the tables right in front of a big screen (his team was playing that night and he didn’t want to miss a single moment. I have a feeling he only accepted my invite to dine because of the game – I guess I picked the right spot). The place was quite packed and the vibe was contagious – I found myself cheering along as well.

I have to say that Champions won me with its welcoming popcorn, mildly spicy and in generous portions. I absolutely love popcorn, so I would’ve been happy enough with just that the entire night. To my joy, our attentive table host had the same name as me, Fernando, and he made the whole experience even better with his knowledge of the offerings and his friendly smile.

The menu has all the delicious bites you expect in such places, from tasty burgers and wings to seafood buckets. It’s a paradise for meat eaters and those who love finger food and cold drinks. With recipes to please every palate, Chef Roy explained that Champions offers staples from American and South American cuisines, focussing on perfect grills and fried options. When asked what the best-sellers are, he didn’t have to think twice: burgers and sliders. With no further ado, it was time to start ordering!

If there is something I frequently pick when I spot it on the menu, it is Dynamite Prawns (or shrimps; they are actually different species and prawns are bigger, but I have to confess that I can’t seem to taste the difference). They came piping hot, covered in a deliciously crispy batter and dynamite sauce that had the right kick to it with a sweet hint – it was yum! There were some fresh red chilli slices too, to increase the heat.

I really love Tex-Mex food and, yes, Champions offers an incredible selection. The Classic Nachos came with a bed of tortilla chips covered in a generous layer of melted cheddar cheese, a blob of sour cream (which added a delicious acidic tang), salsa, guacamole and spring onion with jalapeños sprinkled on top for a touch of green and dimension. My mission was to get a sample of every element for a mouthful of flavour explosion – it worked! The crispness of the chips, the tanginess of the sour cream, the smoothness of the guacamole and the comfort of cheese in a mix of textures composed the ultimate bite. The Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos followed, a soft tortilla shell filled with tempura shrimp, pineapple salsa and coleslaw bathed in Frank’s hot sauce (made with a variety of cayenne peppers); this had the perfect mix of flavours – the acidity and sweetness of the pineapple was the cherry on top.

I am not a meat eater, but I couldn’t leave Champions without trying one of the sliders. To my delight, they had a veggie option, yay! The plant-based burger patty was placed between a multigrain bun, covered in Emmental cheese and layered with avocado, lettuce, tomato and jalapeño mayo. When the plate reached the table, I thought to myself that it looked like those picture-perfect burgers with the right thickness of the ‘meat’, melted cheese, tomato slice and a green touch from the avocado – the taste was equally on point with a juicy patty that had the expected smokiness from a burger. All the elements were beautifully balanced and the accompanying sweet potato fries added a sweetness to this comforting, savoury dish. If meat is not up my alley, it is definitely a favourite with my dining companion and he went for the Grilled US Angus Ribeye 350g accompanied by coleslaw, steamed vegetables (his choice) and barbecue sauce. The meat looked exactly as it should, with the marks of the grill creating the perfect criss-cross pattern and luscious shine. The caramelised outer layer gave a smoky touch to each bite and he savoured the high quality of the cut – it was tender and had a delicious buttery hint because of its fat-marbling.

After pleasing our savoury taste buds, we decided to choose one dessert to share, and we went for Chef Roy’s recommendation: the NY Cheesecake. With a crunchy biscuit base, it had a rich, smooth texture and a sweet, tangy flavour. It was velvety and melted in the mouth, leaving hints of vanilla and lemon on our tongues. The addition of fresh strawberries on top added the perfect fruity taste to break the creaminess. It was a fantastic way to finish this meal, which was a winner in all senses. To my friend’s delight, his team also won! If you are looking for a place with impeccable service, yummy food and sports vibes, Champions checks all the boxes. ✤

GO: CALL 4419 5510 OR WHATSAPP 6643 6890 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING.