With its glittering skyline and world-renowned restaurants, there’s no shortage of hotspots and fan favourites around the city, but some places just quietly go about being brilliant without much fanfare.

From quaint eateries to lesser-known cool corners and offbeat weekend spots, we’ve pulled together a range of under-the-radar hidden gems that deserve a little more love.

Some you might know, others might surprise you – either way, they’re worth a look.

AROUND AND ABOUT

Ships of the Desert

Head to the Amiri Diwan in the early morning or latish afternoon to enjoy the spectacle of the camel guards perched atop these magnificent beasts patrolling the area. Of course, their original function was protection but these days, they’re more symbolic and ceremonial and they make for a great picture opportunity. Approach from the Al Corniche and Al Asmakh St junction and make sure to keep a safe distance.
GO: Visit www.diwan.gov.qa for more information.

This Ain’t Pisa!

If you’re visiting Al Shahaniya, make sure you don’t miss the leaning mosque. The 27-metre-tall structure leans at a remarkable 20º angle, with both the main building and the minaret tilting thanks to advanced structural engineering with deep foundations, multiple support piles and safety monitoring sensors.
Found in the Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, the mosque was designed by Sheikh Faisal and constructed from locally-sourced white stone with colourful stained glass using eco-conscious construction methods.
The museum itself is also fascinating and definitely worth exploring.
GO: Visit www.fbqmuseum.org for more information.

DOWN ON THE FARM

Come For The Cars

Free-roaming horses will greet you as you reach Enk Farm at Wadi Al Jahiliya but, though they’re friendly and very sweet, the real stars of this show are more about horse power.
That’s because the farm is home to a really cool classic car museum. Designed with a unique garage-style setup, the collection, which is owned by a private individual, includes the likes of a vintage Rolls-Royce and classic muscle cars alongside utility vehicles from bygone eras.
All the motors have been lovingly restored and you can even take a guided tour where you’ll learn about their history. There’s a café on site, so why not make a day of it. Open Fridays 11am to 9pm.
GO: Call 6669 9750 for more information.

Green Revolution

If ethical, sustainable food production is your thing, you need to visit Heenat Salma Farm at Shahaniya, north-west of Doha. But, this is no ‘dull but worthy’ endeavour. Rather it’s a ‘uniquely nourishing space where visitors can come to rest, recharge and gather, enjoy farm-to-table experiences, participate in artisanal workshops and training [sessions] and explore ethical marketplaces.’
A project from the Caravane Earth Foundation, it’s pioneering eco-hospitality in the country offering wellness activities, vocational and educational training, classes with master craftspeople and cultural and community-building events. Visitors can go for the day or stay on site, in one of the seriously funky lodges.
GO: Visit heenatsalma.earth for more information.

Organic Goodness

Family-owned Torba Farm, in Al Khor, is another great place to experience Qatar’s burgeoning sustainability drive. The brainchild of twins Mohammed and Fatma Al Khater, the farm specialises in sustainable agriculture, crafting 100% pure, therapeutic-grade botanical products.
Here, you’ll not only find great organic foods in a farm-totable setting but also beauty products, oils and more. There are barefoot walks, yoga sessions, a cool natural pool to paddle in and so much more.
Torba is a haven for wildlife and organic production that’s built a community of enthusiasts and sustainable entrepreneurship.
GO: Call 3116 6707 for more information.

FOODIE FAVE

A Taste of Tradition

If you want to try authentic Qatari food, then Al Jasra in Souq Waqif is the place to go. It offers home-style cooking and is run by a group of Qatari women. All the founders worked in other fields and cooked for family and friends before spotting a gap in the market and setting up shop.
Everything’s cooked fresh with good quality ingredients, so the menu can be a little limited but you’ll find plenty of classic favourites such as madrooba, various types of machboos and the much-loved rogag.
There’s indoor and outdoor seating and the vibe is very much traditional, cosy Qatari home with local handicrafts on the walls and patterned fabric seating. But, you’ll also spot a modern plasma TV, often showing local camel racing.
Unusually, the Qatari ladies also serve the food themselves, so you’ll get a real touch of local home-style hospitality. The menu is very reasonable and portion sizes generous but make sure you take cash. Look out for the signs in the souq to find it.

Meals on Wheels

You’ll have to wait a few months for this one as it’s a winter only destination but, trust us, it’s worth it. If you like your food ‘on the go’, head to Caravan Bay on Al Maha Island for a whole range of fancy food trucks serving everything from upmarket sweet treats to some of the best burgers and wings around. Every truck has its own dedicated seating area and the big bonus is the location, which enjoys a fab view of the Katara Towers across the water.
GO: Visit @caravanbay.doha for more information.

That’s A Wrap

Everyone loves a shawarma, right? And we all have our own opinion on where to find the best ones. But, we asked around and Al Quds Sweets & Restaurant at Souq Al-Dira came out top on lots of people’s lists. The veggies and lettuce are fresh, the chicken’s tender and flavourful and the sauce is just creamy heaven. Plus the staff are lovely, it’s cheap as chips and they even do a great falafel too.
GO: Call 4441 3932 for more information.

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL

Qatar has plenty of live music venues but if you ask the actual musicians where they go, Bricks, at the New Blue Rose Hotel, is the answer. We caught up with Bassem Deaibess, one of the three brothers who run the club, to find out more.

LIVE ‘N’ LOUD

FB says ‘jazz and blues club’ but also ‘The First Rock and Blues Club in Doha’ – is it safe to say live music venue with the emphasis on jazz, blues and rock?
Bricks is a dedicated live music venue – 100% focused on authentic performances. We do not feature DJs as part of our entertainment lineup, unless it’s directly tied to rock music culture. And yes, we know Facebook says “Jazz and Blues Club” but that’s just because they didn’t have a “K*s Rock Bar” category. Jokes aside, it was the closest thing we could pick. But make no mistake: Bricks is all about live rock music. No DJs, no fluff, just real bands, real music. When we say rock, we mean everything from classic rock to metal, Blues to pop-rock, punk to hard rock. Even ska, reggae and Jazz find their way onto our stage. If it feels right and sounds good live, it belongs at Bricks.

How long has Bricks been going?
The Concept of Bricks was born around April 2024, initially it was a project which we took to existing bars and clubs, But when the right opportunity came knocking, we went all in. Bricks as a full-fledged ‘Rock Bar’ was born on the July 4, 2023.

Is there live music every night?
Most of the time, we’ve got live music happening every night, THAT is the heart of Bricks. And yes, it’s the toughest part of the business, but it’s what makes us who we are. On the rare nights without a live act, we strive to have the music and the vibe that sets Bricks apart. We try to stay as authentic and true to our identity as possible. Instead of using the typical playlists common in Qatari nightlife, we curate a rock & roll-driven selection that fits the bar’s vibe and reflects our crowd’s taste. In the end, that’s what makes Bricks what it is.

Who are your regulars?
We get a real diverse crowd at Bricks. Our regulars are musicians and music enthusiasts, from rockers to bikers to metalheads and blues heads. But you’d be surprised how many business professionals drop by to relax and enjoy the vibes or conduct casual business meetings. We’ve had folks mention how they appreciate the atmosphere here. It’s interesting hearing customers say things like, ‘It’s not just a bar, it feels like a break from everything else’. We feel and hope that Bricks is becoming a community hub.

What are your opening hours?
We’re open daily from 5pm. Music until 2am, last call at 2.30am (as per Qatari law). Happy Hour from 5pm to 8pm, so come early and stay late!

GO: Visit @bricks.doha for more information.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

Love Live Laughter

Qatar’s comedy scene has a monthly residency – and it’s absolutely no joke!
The organisers of Stand-Up Comedy Qatar (SUCQ) told us: “If you’ve ever thought, ‘Qatar needs more comedy,’ congratulations – your wish has been granted. And no, we’re not talking about that one coworker who thinks PowerPoint jokes count.”
Thanks to SUCQ, the city now has two monthly comedy nights guaranteed to slap the seriousness right out of your schedule. The venue? The one-and-only Collector’s Café. Arabic Comedy Night runs on the second Friday of the month – coming up this month, on May 10, is the I’m funny in my mother tongue showcase.
English Comedy Night runs on the last Thursday of the month with the May 30 show promising puns, accents and a whole lot of ‘back home’ jokes.

The comedians come from all walks of life delivering punchlines inspired by life in Qatar and each show runs about two hours (or, according to SUCQ, roughly three shawarmas in comedy time), complete with a host who keeps the energy up and the awkward silences down. Expect local legends, rising stars and the occasional nervous first timer.
The SUCQ crew members aren’t new to the game. With 14 years of performing under their belts – and having shared stages with the likes of Gabriel Iglesias and Maz Jobrani – they know how to bring the funny without crossing the line (Qatar-style).
They urge you to: “Ditch the group dinner you didn’t want to go to anyway and treat yourself to something actually entertaining. Because in a city that runs on AC, karak and road rage – a good laugh is basically therapy.”
GO: Call 3370 3012 or follow @sucqatar for more information.

Game On

If you’re a gamer of the board rather than computer variety, Court of Cards Café is the place to be. With more than 220 different board games on offer and even game masters to offer instructions and tips on how to play those that may be unfamiliar, it has everything the avid gamer desires.
Open from 3pm to 10pm Saturday to Wednesday and 1pm to 12am Thursday and Friday, the venue, which is at The Gate Mall inside Geekstreet, also has regular trivia nights, Ladies’ Nights, Dungeons & Dragons sessions and board game tournaments. And at just QR35 per person for three hours of playing time, it’s great value as well as great fun.
GO: Call 7039 6127 or follow @court.of.cards for more information.

WILD WONDERS

Feathered Friends

A definite ‘in the know’ moment. The falcon hospital at Katara often has birds out on the grass during the day, though possibly during the cooler weather. If you stop by, the staff will regularly come out and untether one of their charges, brining a sleeve so you can actually hold one of these magnificent flyers.
GO: Visit swfh.com for more information about the hospital’s work.

Turtley Terrific

Nesting season for the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles, which inhabit Qatari waters, runs from April to August and, while turtles can be seen on various beaches, the soft sand of Fuwairit Beach is a particularly popular nesting spot. In order to protect the tiny hatchlings, the Qatar Ministry of Environment generally closes an area of the beach to the public during the height of nesting season in early spring when the female lays her eggs.
During late summer, it’s possible to witness the hatchlings scurrying across the sand to reach the water and it’s a truly magical experience. Qatar Museums has previously organised private hatchling experiences but details of this year’s events have not yet been released.
GO: Visit visitqatar.com for more information.

A Whale of a Time

Each year hundreds of whale sharks congregate in the waters off northeast Qatar between April and September and, in groups, they are a sight to behold.
While whale sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean, they are also one of the most gentle and majestic creatures you will find underwater. Until recently, the waters where they gather were closed to the public but carefully controlled whale shark watching tours are sometimes available, departing from Al Ruwais Port via catamaran. The boat heads out to sea where the fish come close to the surface to feed, making for great picture opportunities and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This year’s excursions are yet to be announced.
GO: Visit discoverqatar.qa for more information.