Champagne Lovers’ Guide to Qatar: restaurants, bars and things to do
Qatar offers a modern Gulf experience where contemporary architecture, international dining and traditional Arabian culture exist side by side. Champagne is mainly part of the country’s luxury hospitality scene, with sophisticated hotels, fine dining and licensed venues providing settings for special occasions and elegant evenings. Doha is the natural centre for exploring this side of Qatar.
Qatari food is built around rice, meat, seafood, dates and aromatic spices. Try machboos, harees, thareed, grilled seafood, lamb and chicken dishes, as well as a selection of Middle Eastern mezze. Dates and saffron, cardamom, cinnamon and dried lime appear frequently in local flavours. Champagne can work particularly well with seafood, fried appetisers, grilled dishes and salty mezze, where its acidity and bubbles provide freshness.
Doha is a city of striking contrasts. The Souq Waqif is one of the best places to experience traditional architecture, spices, textiles, cafés and local food, while Msheireb Downtown offers a modern interpretation of Qatari architecture and urban life. Along the waterfront, the Corniche provides views across Doha Bay, while the Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum of Qatar offer a deeper look at the region’s history and culture.
For a change from the city, head into the desert. The landscapes around Khor Al Adaid, the Inland Sea, combine enormous sand dunes with the Gulf coastline and are one of Qatar’s most distinctive natural sights. Qatar’s coastline also offers opportunities for kayaking, sailing and other water-based activities.
For Champagne lovers, Qatar is primarily about enjoying Champagne within a luxury travel experience. A refined dinner in Doha followed by an evening walk along the Corniche, or Champagne after a day exploring the desert, gives the wine a very different setting from its traditional European home.