Indeed, some of Doha’s finest dining is to be had in its luxury hotels, including Nobu at the Four Seasons and Hakkasan at The St Regis. Friday brunches are a weekly ritual in Doha, featuring the likes of sushi, ceviche, oysters, dim sum and cocktails, and the St Regis is a great place for them.
If you want to try authentic Middle Eastern fare (which includes saloona, a classic Arabic stew, and warak enab stuffed vine leaves), it’s on offer in abundance here, in both hotels and in local Qatari restaurants such Bayt Sharq in a century-old heritage house. Other places to sample Arabic fare are dhow boat rides, which generally include an onboard barbecue with local grills. Once used for pearl fishing, dhows now take you to Qatar’s hidden sandbanks and beaches for paddle boarding, kayaking and sailing.