Food culture plays a huge role in greeting a new country. We can understand everything from the food culture of a society. There is always a beautiful story behind every essence, and it can deliver a unique taste experience.
Getting to know the culture of a place through street food is a significant part of learning about it. Street food in Doha, Qatar, is very common.
Among the snacks of Qatar, street foods are popular among locals and travelers. Street foods in Doha are accessible in every place in Doha. Popular Qatar delicacies are also very economical and tasty.
If you want to visit Qatar someday, be sure to try these tasty foods.
Chapati (Poori)
One of the most popular foods in Qatar is Chapati or Poori. This street food is so popular and tasty that you can almost find it everywhere in Qatar.
Chapati is a flat-baked bread with fillings. There are many options for filling the bread, from honey and Nutella or other sweets to meat and cheese, based on your desired taste.
You can also roll chapati and try it deliciously to have a better experience. Chapati is mostly accompanied by Karak tea. Karak tea is like black tea but with some added milk, sugar, and cardamom.
A combination of chapati and Karak tea is so good that once you try both together, you can’t try them separately afterward because the two flavors complement each other very perfectly.
Chapati & Karak is the place to be if you’re craving the best chapati in Doha. Famous for its remarkable flavor, this iconic café serves up the finest chapati, drawing from a rich tradition of Indian cuisine that has become a staple in Qatari food culture over the past 50 years. Originally from the Katara Cultural Village, Chapati & Karak has earned its reputation as the go-to spot for a deliciously authentic taste of Doha’s culinary scene. Cheese Chapati in Chapati & Karak is only 5 QR.
Read more: Best restaurant of Qatar
Shawarma
Shawarma goes by different names in any countries in Asia. It is so popular that, if you have traveled to the Middle East, you’ve definitely heard of it.
Shawarma is a Filipino street food in Qatar. Shawarma is made from chicken or beef, lamb, and even sometimes camel or duck. It is stacked on a rotating skewer and slowly roasted until it is cooked and ready to eat.
The meat gets wrapped in a slice of bread with sauce, pickles, and vegetables. Its taste is crispy and savory. Also, bread can vary from thick loaves to thin slices of bread based on your choice. The Qatari version of Shawarma is one of those must-try street foods in Doha, Qatar. Bursa Istanbul in Al Azizia is the place where you can eat Shawarma in Doha. Chicken Shawarma Sandwich is only 8 QR.
Falafel
Falafel is yet another tasty snack of Qatar. It is round fried balls mainly made of chickpeas, beans, garlic, coriander, parsley, and tahini.
This meal is super favored among vegans. Falafel is so delicious that you can have it any time of the day. It can be an appetizer, breakfast item, or even an evening snack. These cute fried balls are zestful and very crunchy.
You can enjoy Falafel on its own, or it can be wrapped up in pieces of bread with pickles, tomatoes, and salads. These little crunchy shots of health and energy are suitable for any taste. You should try Falafel if you are a non-vegan too. Abo Shariha Restaurant has the best Falafel in the town. You can find them in Souq Waqif. Falafel 3 Pcs in Abo Shariha Restaurant is only 2 QR.
Ragag (Crepe)
Ragag is a traditional Arabic crepe that has a wafer-like texture. Ragag is extremely popular among the locals. This Arabic crepe can be rolled or folded into a cone shape.
There are a lot of options for topping this crepe. Honey, cheese, eggs, Nutella, fruits, or even kebab are used for these yummy paper-thin crepes. Also, a hot cup of tea along with Ragag is one of those heavenly combinations.
Ragag is one of the souq waqif street foods that is very savory and favored by all. Of course, you can find other snacks too in Souq Waqif street food. Shay Al Shamoos and Local women in Souq Waqif are the best places to buy Ragag. Prices here are refreshingly affordable, with simple delights like saj bread or ragag starting at just QR5 (extra for toppings), while heartier egg dishes are priced around QR25. Even the drinks begin at just QR6, making it a budget-friendly choice in a city where even well-known brands are constantly reinventing themselves at high costs. In a place like Doha, where trends often come with a hefty price tag, this spot stands out for its commitment to traditional, timeless flavors without the premium.
Samboosa
Samboosa or Samosa is an incredibly delicious cuisine that many countries, like Africa, China, Iran, etc., have a different version of it.
The Arabic one is called samboosa, the perfect combination of meat, spinach, mincemeat, cheese, and other vegetables stuffed in a small conical shape of dough.
Once you start eating Samboosa, you realize you cannot stop yourself from eating more. It’s that delicious!
Samboosa can be a good accompaniment to evening tea, coffee, Karak tea, or breakfast. These little yummies are another Souq Waqif street food that is very flavorful and worth a shot. There are many dessert shops scattered across Doha, like Delhi Bakery in Doha Jadeeda and Soghaat on Salwa Road, where you can enjoy freshly made, piping-hot samosas throughout the day. For a more refined take on this classic snack, head to Spice Market at the W Doha Hotel & Residences, where their chicken samosas elevate the traditional recipe to a whole new level of flavor. Vegetable Samosa With Dipping Sauce, Potato Samosa With Dipping Sauce, and Cheese Samosa With Dipping Sauce are only 10 QR.
Luqaimat
Luqaimat is a special Ramadan dessert. Luqaimat or Lukma are little deep-fried dumplings dipped in honey, sugar syrup, or Nutella to taste like a crunchy sweet ball.
Luqaimat is a mixture of butter, milk, flour, sugar, saffron, and cardamom, and it is very healthy and energetic. Although it is usually made during Ramadan, you can find it in the Sheraton or Souq Waqif street food.
This dessert surely brings a sweet taste to your mouth. In the first bite, you can feel the crunchiness on the outside and the softness inside. If you someday travel to Qatar, make sure to try these sweet fried dumplings.
Luqaimat, the beloved sweet snack of the nation, is best enjoyed fresh and hot. You can find these golden, crispy bites being prepared by local women selling homemade treats in Souq Waqif, or head to popular karak spots like Karaki in The Pearl or Chai Halib at the Mall of Qatar, where you can order a batch to satisfy your cravings for this delightful traditional dessert. Luqaimat price starts at QR 12.
A Tasty Experience in Qatar
Qatar’s cuisines, from main dishes to street foods, are very diverse. Qatar’s Foods makes an outstanding presentation about the country.
They are a quick way to know about a country’s norms and culture since street foods are cheap and made of various local ingredients.
Qatar’s street foods create a delicate sense of joy with just a bite. So, if you travel to Qatar someday, make sure to try the street food and local dishes.
Are you planning to travel to Qatar? Check out our Qatar tours, and Qatar transit tours.
