Are you looking for the best cheap restaurants in Doha? In this guide we will round up where to find cheap food in Qatar, where you should head to find cheap food in Doha and of course our favorite cheap restaurants in Doha.
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Where to find cheap food in Qatar
Doha is renowned for having some very luxurious and great eateries with branches of Hakkasan and Nobu as well as many restaurants by big name chefs such as Alain Ducasse in Doha (you can read more about these in our best restaurants in Doha guide). But what about if you are visiting Doha on a budget?
In this section of the guide we will look at where you should head to find cheap food in Qatar to make your riyals stretch further.
Mall Food Courts
Mall of Qatar – of the Best Malls in Qatar
The first place I would tell you to head if you are looking for cheap eats in Doha is the mall food courts. Almost every Qatar mall has a food court. In the food courts you will find mainly fast food options, both Western and more local. Although they may not be the healthiest places to eat they certainly will help to make your eating out in Doha budget go a bit further.
They are also good for those traveling with fussy eaters as you can get everything in the mall food court from sandwiches, burgers to curries and noodles.
Some popular chains in Doha include:
- Western Fast food restaurants such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC and Subway
- Chinese fast food such as Wok to Walk
- Indian outlets offering a selection of curries
Supermarkets
Now if you are in a mall and looking for cheap food in Qatar then you should not miss heading into one of the supermarkets. There is lots of ready made food, a cafe and some great items that you can take back to your hotel with you.
If you are really on a budget then the best supermarkets in Qatar for you are Lulu and Al Meera and whatever you do avoid Monoprix and Megamart as these are at the more expensive end of the supermarket market in Qatar.
Souq Waqif
Souq Waqif is one of the best things to do in Doha. And although this is a huge Doha tourist attraction it is also a great place to head for food. The reason for this is because Souq Waqif isn’t just used by tourists but by locals and expats alike. Therefore you can find some really cheap restaurants in Souq Waqif if you know where to find them.
Takeaway Apps
Again if you are looking for cheap food in Doha you shouldn’t overlook the takeaway and delivery apps as many of these will have offers on sign up.
The most used food apps in Qatar are Talabat and Uber Eats.
Offers
It is also worth noting that some of the more expensive outlets will do offers through apps or voucher programs such as The Entertainer. It is worth checking out where you would most like to eat in Doha and work out whether it would be a cost saving to subscribe to one of these voucher apps while you are in Qatar.
Best cheap restaurants in Doha
Now you know where to look for cheap eats in Doha we will round up our favourite and best cheap restaurants in Doha.
MRA Bakery
The MRA Bakery is an institution in Doha. Although the title says bakery what I head to MRA bakery food is there curries which are renowned in Doha.
Curries at the MRA Bakery costs around 25QAR a curry with rice and bread sold separately so you are looking at between 30-50QAR a head depending on what you order.
There are now three branches of MRA Bakery however we like to eat at the original in Markhiya.
Bandar Aden
best cheap restaurants in Doha
Bandar Aden is one of the cheapest restaurants in SOuqWaqif. It is also one of my favourites because of the unique dining experience it offers at a budget price.
Until I went to Doha I had never eaten Yemeni food like that served at Bandar Aden and I was happily surprised. Yemeni food is quite unlike other Middle Eastern food as instead of kebabs they serve sizzling stews with large flatbreads.
Here you can sit at a table but my favorite thing is to get a booth and eat traditionally on the floor.
Yemeni stews here cost around 15QAR and the delicious Yemeni bread is 3QAR. A delicious and very filling bargain in my opinion.
Shujaa Restaurant
Best Cheap restaurants in Doha – cheap food in Qatar
I had to look up the name of this place as despite living in Doha for years we always called this restaurant the kebab place in the Souq and everyone knew where you were talking about.
Amongst locals this is famous as the best value food in Doha when eating out and is one of if not the best cheap restaurant in Souq Waqif.
Don’t expect an extensive menu but expect great quality kebabs. Here you will be serve huge meat kebabs on freshly cooked bread and it will cost you no more than c. 30QAR you will get plenty of skewers of meat, bread and a drink.
However this is not fast food, as the queue for this place is enormous especially on Thursday evenings and at the weekends.
The restaurant is located near the pet souq part of Souq Waqif but if you get lost (and this is easy to do in the souq) just ask a vendor as everyone knows this place.
Shay Al Shoumous (sometimes also spelt as Shay Al Shoomos)
Another Souq Waqif restaurant that makes the list is local Qatari eatery Shay Al Shoumous (sometimes also spelt as Shay Al Shoomos). It can actually be quite difficult finding places that serve traditional Qatari dishes in Doha however Shay Al Shoumous is one of the most authentic eateries you can eat at in the whole country.
We recommend heading here for one of the best and cheapest breakfasts in Doha.
Turkey Central
Another institution on the Doha dining scene is Turkey CEntral having originally opened its doors in the 1980s. Their Turkish food costs around 30QAR a plate and is plentiful!
Tea Time
There are several branches of Tea Time around Doha all serving some of the cheapest food in Doha. Not always the healthiest menu but their popcorn chicken and sandwiches which can start at 3QAR make a very budget friendly meal in Doha.
Poco Loco Mexican
Our favourite branch of Poco Loco is in Twar Mall and is in our opinion the cheapest Mexican restaurant in Doha as taco here cost on average around c.15QAR and are very tasty. To make your taco a meal costs a bit extra – making the cost per head around 30QAR but is a delicious and filling meal for those on a limited budget in Doha.
Afghan Brothers
Another long established restaurant on the doha eating scene is Afghan Brothers. Famed for their chicken it will cost you around 25QAR for their most popular chicken dish.
Cheap buffet Restaurants in Doha
There are lots of places that offer cheap buffet restaurants in Doha especially at lunchtime. We recommend looking around before you travel as depending on when you travel will depend on what offers are available.
What is your favourite cheap restaurant in Doha – we would love to know in the comments