Doha’s brunch scene is something to be reckoned with. Lively, all-you-can-eat-and-drink sessions that start at noon on Fridays and continue late into the afternoon have become a tradition in the capital, and the perfect way to unwind at the end of the working week (Qatar’s weekends fall on Fridays and Saturdays). Many of Doha’s best brunches have an upbeat party atmosphere, featuring entertainment, live music and other performances while you dine.
But there are also chilled out, health-focused alternatives, and plenty of places where kids are welcome to join in the fun too. Free-flowing brunches can be on the pricey side, but they can also be a great value way to spend time in Doha’s most glamorous hotels and restaurants and there are plenty of budget options out there too. These are some of the best brunch places in Doha.
1. Santa Monica Breakfast Club’s Lazy Breakfast
Santa Monica Breakfast Club is the go-to spot for fresh, healthy, California-style brunch. Sit out on the cheerful, sunny terrace at the Grand Hyatt Doha and tuck into platefuls of fresh fruit salads, protein bowls or lime-soaked fajitas for a perfect start to the weekend. There’s all-you-can-eat breakfast served everyday until 11am, but on Saturdays the hotel also offers Lazy Breakfast, where feel-good Californian and Mexican dishes are served from 11.30am-2pm. The vibe is relaxed and wholesome, making it a perfect choice for anyone who likes a slow start to the weekend.
2. Bubbalicious
Probably the capital’s liveliest brunch party, Bubbalicious at The Westin Doha is at the Seasonal Tastes restaurant. Tuck into Italian, Japanese and Middle Eastern dishes (it’s an all-you-can-eat affair) on the huge open patio, where you’ll also find live cooking stations, barbecues and free-flowing drinks. Every week, DJs and live bands play, and there’s plenty of space for dancing if the mood takes you. Expect a raucous, celebratory atmosphere. Held on Fridays between 12.30pm and 4pm, Bubbalicious brunch is a seasonal party, so check in advance with The Westin before you visit.
3. SUSHISAMBA Summer Brunch
A fun-filled Brazilian-style brunch party is the place to be on Fridays if you feel like indulging in SUSHISAMBA’s world-famous salads, sushi, sashimi and ceviche, all served ultra-fresh. The Waldorf Astoria Lusail hosts this colourful event, which includes bottomless, help-yourself Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian food stations, plus a sharing-style main course served at your table. Live DJs, music and dance performances keep energy levels high. The brunch is held every Friday afternoon, from 12pm to 4pm.
4. Friday Brunch & Mini Chef Kids Activities
Looking for something a little calmer and more family-friendly to start off the weekend? InterContinental Doha The City has just the thing, on Friday afternoons at The Square. This international buffet offers freshly-prepared food from a range of global cuisines, including roasted meats, Asian dishes and Middle Eastern mezze.
Grown-ups can enjoy all of that in peace, as kids are kept entertained with all sorts of creative Mini Chef activities. They get to enjoy their own separate child-friendly buffet, and take part in fun cooking activities. The brunch takes place from 12.30pm to 4pm on Fridays. It’s half price for children between six and 11 years old and free for under-6s. One of the best brunch places in Doha for families.
5. The St Regis Grand Brunch
The seafood counters are the stuff of legend at the St Regis’ Grand Brunch in Vine, where everything from lobster and prawns to oysters are laid out in the most tempting of displays. Elsewhere in the elegant Vine dining room, you can help yourself to dishes from an array of global cuisines, plus there’s always an extravagant table of indulgent desserts to finish off the meal. Fresh summer drinks are freeflowing and there’s a range of different drinks packages available. Upbeat entertainment comes in the form of live musicians and percussionists. The brunch hours are every Friday from 12.30pm to 4pm.
6. Brunch 61 by Zengo & Maya
On the 61st floor of the glamorous Kempinski hotel, Brunch 61 by Zengo & Maya is the ultimate brunch with a view. Huge windows mean you can gaze out over the Corniche and the sparkling sea below in between helping yourself to generous platefuls of Asian and Mexican cuisine. The restaurant is known for bold flavours, stylish presentation and warm service, so it’s a great place to spend a relaxing, foodie afternoon. There’s regular live entertainment and music to add to the uplifting atmosphere. This is one of the best brunch places in Doha, whether you go with family or friends – children under 6 are free. Brunch 61 by Zengo & Maya takes place every Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm.
This Indian extravaganza is hands-down one of the best value brunches in the capital. Held at the West Bay’s Dalchini restaurant in the Centara Hotel, it’s a feast of both traditional and contemporary Indian dishes. Expect to tuck into everything from grilled meats, all-you-can-eat curries, biryanis, salads and desserts. There’s even a Desi Dhaba Chaat Truck where street-food style snacks are prepared live. This brunch is remarkably cheap given the quality of food on offer, and caters to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Modern Indian lounge music completes the sophisticated sub-Continental vibes. Every Friday from 12pm to 4.30pm.
Not an all-you-can-eat-and-drink affair, Boho Social offers a more of a classic brunch experience, with delicious European and Middle Eastern dishes available at your own time and speed. It’s an ideal pick if you want a late breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday, without necessarily going in for a full party session. The restaurant serves hearty shakshuka, breakfast quesadillas, eggs benedict, pancakes, and most other brunch dishes you could think of, along with superb coffee and fresh juices. It’s the perfect way to start a beachy weekend, as Boho Social is just off Katara Cultural Village, and its fun-filled, colourful terrace looks right out onto the beach.
