Welcome to Qatar, a land of incomparable generosity and hospitality! What makes Qatar so special is its seamless ability to balance the preservation and respect of its history and culture with modernity and innovation.

The pride of Qatar’s people can be seen in their traditions, and one of the most treasured traditions is their food! Food binds these people together, and the variety and creativity that goes into preparing it makes up the heart and soul of this country.

All social events, family gatherings, and even business meetings involve extravagant and delicious food.

Let us walk you through the 20 most popular foods in Qatar! But before that, and just as a side note, if you’re planning a trip to Qatar soon, pack a few XL jeans, because you will definitely be putting on a few extra pounds!

1. Majboos

Besides being extraordinarily delicious, majboos is first and foremost known as the national dish of Qatar. You simply cannot visit Qatar without trying this famous dish.

It is cooked slowly and steadily to ensure it is as rich as can be. The people of Qatar are very patient when it comes to preparing food because the result is always worth it!

The actual ingredients are simple: rice with either chicken or lamb. But it is the magical combination of spices that accounts for the unique taste and will take you just about as close as you can get to heaven!

2. Madrouba

Now here’s a special traditional plate that is eaten at any time and in any place! It is basically chicken, milk, butter, and a popular ingredient here in Qatar called hail, also known as cardamom. Think of it as a combination of these ingredients, mushed all together into a texture similar to that of mashed potatoes.

This dish is prepared by countless restaurants, all with the same ingredients but somehow with differing tastes, depending on the style of cooking!

3. Umm Ali

Let’s talk about something sweet for a change! Next up is the famous Umm Ali. It is originally an Egyptian dish, but the way it makes your taste buds dance makes it a highly popular dish here.

It is a bread-based dessert with milk and cinnamon, the make-or-break ingredient that enhance the taste. Other ingredients depend on preference, for example sugar and nuts. It is a definite must-have if you’ve still got some room for dessert!