Top 12 Souq Waqif Restaurants: Eat Like a Local in Doha
Souq Waqif in Doha, Qatar offers a diverse range of dining options. From traditional Qatari cuisine to international flavors, visitors can find restaurants to suit various tastes and budgets in this historic marketplace.
Popular Restaurants in Souq Waqif
1) Parisa Souq Waqif
Parisa Souq Waqif is a top choice for Persian cuisine in Souq Waqif. The restaurant serves traditional Iranian dishes in an elegant setting. Visitors can try specialties like Akbar Joojeh, a grilled chicken dish, and Fesenjan, chicken in pomegranate-walnut sauce.
The kebab sharing platter is ideal for groups, offering a variety of kebabs. Vegetarians can enjoy dishes like Mirza Ghassemi, a smoked eggplant dish. For dessert, the restaurant offers pistachio ice cream with saffron biscuits.
2) The Village Restaurant
The Village Restaurant in Souq Waqif serves Middle Eastern and international cuisine. Its menu includes Ottoman-era dishes like hunkar begendi, a lamb stew with roasted eggplant puree, and imam bayildi, a vegetarian dish of stuffed eggplant.
The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, allowing diners to watch the market activity. The Village also has a gourmet shop selling specialty food items and ingredients used in their dishes.
3) Layali Al Qahira
Layali Al Qahira offers Egyptian cuisine in Souq Waqif. The menu includes dishes like lamb chops, oven-baked chicken, and vegetarian mezze. The restaurant serves fresh guava juice to complement the meals. Layali Al Qahira provides a relaxed atmosphere for diners to escape the busy market.
4) Jasmine Thai Restaurant
Jasmine Thai Restaurant is known for its authentic Thai cuisine in Souq Waqif. The menu features Thai classics like Pad Thai, Massaman Curry, and Tom Yum soup.
The restaurant also offers spicier options and dishes from other Asian cuisines, such as Peking Duck. While prices may be higher than in Thailand, the portions are generous and the quality is high.
5) Damasca One
Damasca One is a Syrian restaurant in Souq Waqif. It offers traditional Syrian dishes in a setting that reflects Damascus’s old-world charm. The restaurant is known for its mezze platters, grilled meats, and Syrian desserts.
Budget-Friendly Options
6) Shay Al Shoomos
Shay Al Shoomos is a notable budget-friendly restaurant in Souq Waqif. It is known for serving authentic Qatari breakfast dishes. The restaurant is owned and operated by Shams Al Qassabi, making it the first woman-run restaurant in Souq Waqif.
Shay Al Shoomos is open from Saturday to Thursday, 7:30 am to 1 pm and 6:30 pm to 10 pm, and on Friday from 7:30 am to 11:30 am.
7) Ali Al Naama Coffee
Ali Al Naama Coffee is a popular spot for quick, affordable meals and Karak tea in Souq Waqif. The restaurant is known for its Arab sandwiches, tea, and coffee.
It attracts both locals and tourists with its wallet-friendly prices. Ali Al Naama Coffee is open Saturday to Thursday from 6:00 am to 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm to 2:00 am, and on Friday from 3:00 pm to 2:00 am.
8) Al Jasra Traditional Food
Al Jasra Traditional Food offers a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Qatari home. The restaurant serves Iraqi cuisine, including kebabs and rice dishes. It provides a comfortable place for visitors to enjoy hearty meals at reasonable prices. Al Jasra Traditional Food is open daily from 7:30 am to 11:30 pm.
9) Al Koot Cafe
Al Koot Cafe is known for its breakfast offerings, particularly its full breakfast tray. The cafe has a relaxed atmosphere and provides excellent service. In addition to food, Al Koot Cafe offers various shisha flavors. It is open daily from 8:00 am to 1:00 am.
Seafood Options
10) Danat Al Bahar BBQ Fish
Danat Al Bahar BBQ Fish specializes in seafood dishes with Lebanese and Syrian influences. The restaurant offers a variety of fish and chicken dishes, including fish tandoori. It is a popular choice for seafood lovers visiting Souq Waqif.
International Cuisine
11) Al Terrace
Al Terrace serves Georgian cuisine in Souq Waqif. However, some visitors have reported mixed experiences regarding value for money and service quality.
12) Bandar Aden
Bandar Aden is praised for its Yemeni dishes, including mandi, haneeth, and zurbian. The restaurant offers good value for money and is popular among visitors to Souq Waqif.
Tips for Dining in Souq Waqif
- Try local Qatari dishes when possible to experience the authentic flavors of the region.
- Consider dining during off-peak hours to avoid crowds, especially at popular restaurants.
- Make reservations at higher-end restaurants, particularly during busy periods or holidays.
- Be aware that some restaurants may have separate seating areas for families and single diners.
- Check restaurant opening hours, as they may vary, especially during Ramadan or other religious holidays.
- Some restaurants in Souq Waqif offer outdoor seating, which can be pleasant during cooler months.
- Many restaurants in the area are halal, reflecting Qatar’s Islamic culture.
Conclusion
Souq Waqif offers a wide range of dining options to suit different tastes and budgets. From traditional Qatari breakfast at Shay Al Shoomos to Persian cuisine at Parisa, visitors can explore various culinary experiences.
Budget-friendly options like Ali Al Naama Coffee and Al Jasra Traditional Food provide affordable meals, while restaurants like Jasmine Thai and Damasca One offer international flavors.
When dining in Souq Waqif, visitors can enjoy not only the food but also the historic atmosphere of this traditional marketplace in Doha.
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Ammara Abdullah is an experienced writer and editor specializing in technology and digital trends. With over 5 years of experience, she produces insightful articles on emerging tech, consumer electronics, and digital culture. Ammara holds a degree in journalism and is passionate about making complex topics accessible to readers.
