Whether you categorise Friday Brunch in the Middle East as a ritual-like habit or a necessary experience there is no arguing the popularity of such vast spreads.
Serving stations are laden down with a range of appetisers and salads, whilst live cooking stations showcase a variety of proteins and carbs cooked a la minute. And don’t even get us started on the enormity of the dessert tables as choices offer up Middle Eastern delicacies and European favourites.
Where is the Best Friday Brunch in Doha?
One of the frequent questions Miss QE was asked by readers in 2015 is ‘Where is the Best Friday Brunch?’…to which she usually replied La Veranda having previously fallen in love with the variety and quality of the dishes, the location and the vast Italian carbs on offer!
[Check out the following links for the Time Out Doha 2015 and Fact Dining Awards 2015 winners. UPDATE – 2016 Award Winners for Time Out Doha Restaurant Awards 2016: The Winners and Fact Qatar Dining Awards 2016 – The Winners]
However in 2016 the Friday Brunch scene looks like it has been given a big old shake up as some new contenders pull out all the stops to impress diners – even Miss QE hesitates to name a favourite.
Let’s be clear though, the choice of where to brunch shouldn’t be based on emotions alone. Rather it comes down to several factors with price, variety, ambience, child-friendly and location at the top of the list.
But you have to recognise that buffet brunches will rarely have the same quality and consistency in the menu as their a la carte menu options. Which is why brunches with live cooking stations go some way to helping provide a better dining experience.
There is also a trend to avoid the buffet concept altogether. Instead venues will have a special menu allowing diners to choose between a number of offerings. There are also different pricings based on the beverages, whilst some brunch options may only include a welcome drink. So always make sure you know exactly what is on offer for the brunch you have chosen to enjoy.
Friday Brunch Doha 2016 – The Contenders
As the new year has just begun it would be rash to jump in and give our guide to the best friday brunches in Doha for 2016. But we have put together a few of the latest Friday Brunch options, of which quite a few are fast becoming popular with Doha’s foodies.
UPDATE – Check out our first impressions on the Friday Bubbalicious Brunch at The Westin Doha
If you have any queries or comments be sure to leave a comment below; or contact us on our social media Facebook, our Qatar_Eating Instagram account, or through Twittter; or use our Contact Form.
Four Seasons Hotel, Doha
The award-winning Four Seasons Brunch is back, with extended buffet buffet stations in Il Teatro, Arabica, and their newly opened Elements restaurant. Offerings include seafood, sushi, and popular Asian, Arabic and Intercontinental options.
Available from 12.30pm to 4.30pm every Friday.
Priced at QR 340 with soft beverages; QR 440 with special beverages.
For more information and bookings call +974 4494 8600 or email [email protected]..
Nobu, Four Seasons Hotel Doha
Nobu Doha recently introduced it’s new Friday Brunch concept with a tasting-style menu. Offerings include Nobu’s signature a la carte dishes and desserts, including favourites such as the black cod miso. The White Pearl lounge will feature a variety of stations with oysters, ceviche and fresh sushi and sashimi will be served at the sushi bar.
Available every Friday from 12.30pm until 4.00pm.
Priced at QR 355 with soft beverages; QR 495 with special beverages including Japanese special drinks.
Children are welcome at the Brunch; however they have no children’s play area or activities. Cost for 5 to 12 year olds is QR 180; under 5’s are free.
For more information and reservations call +974 4494 8600 or email [email protected].
Shangri-La Hotel, Doha
The newest hotel in the city has hit the ground running with its Ibn Battuta Friday Brunch with a souq-style setting. Following the legendary Arabian explorer they will take diners on a gastronomic journey around the world. With 10 live action stations serving Asian, Indian, Moroccan, Turkish pide, grills, and pizza.
Every Friday from 12.30pm until 4.00pm.
Priced at QR 285 with soft drinks and QR 385 with select beverages.
For more information and reservations call +974 4429 5295 or email [email protected].
Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl-Qatar
Marsa Malaz Kempinski Doha celebrated it’s first year anniversary recently. This luxury hotel has quite a few Brunch options available throughout their various restaurants.
(Please note that El Faro, Kempinski’s Spanish restaurant, offers a Saturday Brunch with unimited paella at QR 240 with soft drinks, and QR 380 with special beverages).
Sawa Dining Room, Kempinski
The Friday Brunch at Sawa Dining Room showcases the best of the Kempinski’s food offerings, from appetizers, main courses, grilled meat and seafood, oysters, sushi and more. Even better they have a children’s area.
Available every Friday from 12.30pm until 4.00pm.
Priced at QR 330 with soft beverages; QR 425 with special beverages.
Sawa also offers a Thursday Wagyu Late Brunch (priced at QR425 with soft beverages) and a Saturday Seafood Brunch (QR 330 with soft beverages). For more information and bookings call +974 4035 5011 or email [email protected].
Toro Toro Doha, Kempinski
Toro Toro showcases the Pan-Latin flavours of celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval – with a concept of sharing plates and rodizio-style meat. Now you can enjoy their Friday Brunch with a variety of cold and hot dishes including Tuna Tataki, Chicken Anticucho, Brazilian Rodizio, and a selection of desserts.
Available from 12.30pm until 4.00pm.
Priced at QR 390 with soft beverages; QR 490 with special beverages.
For more information and bookings call +974 4035 5011 or email [email protected].
Nozomi Doha, Kempinski
Nozomi has made a big presence on the Doha dining scene, thanks to its excellent flavours and fresh sushi and sashimi. For fans of sushi they have introduced their Friday Tsukuyomi Brunch Buffet. Showcasing a sushi selection on their 5m long sushi island, dumplings, kushi skewers and desserts.
Available every Friday from 12.00pm until 4.00pm.
Priced at QR 320 per person with soft beverages and mocktails; QR 375 with special beverages.
Children are welcome too – QR 150 for children between 4 and 12 years old (under 3s eat for free).
For more information and bookings call +974 4035 5011 or email [email protected].
Hakkasan, St Regis Doha
The Hakka Brunch offers a choice of dishes from a set menu. Diners are treated to a sophisticated ambience with a selection of Dim Sum (steamed, fried and baked) including Har Gau and Scallop Shumai. For the main course, guests can sample delicate Peking duck with pancakes from one of several live stations, alongside a dish of their choice from the brunch menu, followed by a choice of desserts and macarons.
Available every Friday for a minimum of two diners – from 12.00pm until 4.00pm.
Priced at QR 228 per person with unlimited select teas; QR 398 with special beverages.
For more information and bookings call +974 4446 0170 or email [email protected].
Where will you be brunching this 2016?