Qatar has seemingly endless options for food, much of it excellent. If you would like European cuisine in a fancy setting, visit a hotel like the Ramada or the Marriott, both of which also offer excellent sushi and the choice of having drinks with your meal the only restaurants in town that can do this are in the major hotels, but at a steep price. Authentic and delicious Indian and Pakistani food is found throughout the city, ranging from family-oriented places to very basic eateries catering to the Indian and Pakistani workers. You may attract some curious stares in the worker eateries, but the management will almost always be extremely welcoming, and the food is very inexpensive.
For excellent and truly authentic Thai cuisine, try either Thai Twin near the Doha Petrol Station and the computer souqs or Thai Snacks on Marqab St., and be sure to sample the delicious spicy papaya salad at either location, but be careful, if you ask them to make it spicy, expect for it to burn.
Middle Eastern cuisine is everywhere as well, and in many formsâkebabs, breads, hummus, the list goes on. It can be purchased on the cheap from a take-out many of which look quite unimpressive, but serve awesome food or from a fancier place, like the wonderful Layali near Chili's in the 'Cholesterol Corner' area that serves gourmet Lebanese food and has hookahs with flavored tobacco. Refined Persian cuisine is available for reasonable prices in the royally appointed Ras Al-Nasa`a Restaurant on the Corniche don't miss the cathedral-like rest rooms.
Don't be afraid to venture into the Souqs looking for a meal; it will be a unique experience in an authentic setting, and although some of the places you see may look rundown, that's just the area in general, and the food will be probably be quite good. Be advised that many of the restaurants in the Souqs as well as the shops shut down during the afternoon hours. If you are in a funny kind of mood, you can try a McArabiaâMcDonald's Middle Eastern sandwich available only in the region.
