Top 10 Traditional Qatari Foods You Must Try

June 21, 2025
Top 10 Traditional Qatari Foods You Must Try

Qatari cuisine is a rich blend of Bedouin, Indian, Persian, and Levantine influences. Whether you’re dining at a local majlis or a modern restaurant, these dishes are a must.

  1. Machboos – Spiced rice with meat or seafood, similar to biryani

  2. Harees – Wheat and meat porridge served during Ramadan

  3. Thareed – Qatari stew with bread soaked in spiced broth

  4. Madrouba – Creamy chicken and rice dish cooked with lentils

  5. Balaleet – Sweet vermicelli with eggs, served for breakfast

  6. Saloona – A spiced vegetable or meat stew with rice

  7. Luqaimat – Deep-fried dumplings drizzled with date syrup

  8. Karak Chai – Strong, sweet, and spiced tea

  9. Khobez – Traditional flatbread served with every meal

  10. Stuffed Vine Leaves (Waraq Enab) – Rice-filled grape leaves with spices

FAQs

Q: Are Qatari foods spicy?
A: Generally mild, but flavorful with a mix of spices.

Q: Where can I try authentic Qatari food?
A: Souq Waqif restaurants and Qatari-owned eateries.

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