It seems that the hot topic in town is where to break fast or eat before the sun rises so here’s my opinion on some of the Ramadan tents across the city. I will add further posts on individual places over the next couple of weeks. Wherever you go I hope you have a wonderful time, please feel free to send me your thoughts, recommendations and feedback.

The Grand Hyatt Ramadanak Tent (Iftar 220QR / Suhour 200QR – 241 Suhour Entertainer voucher can be used until July 5th 2016)

We loved the Iftar here last year and this year it didn’t fail to disappoint either. The Grill has been stylishly and tastefully designed. There is good range of different cuisines, the quality of the food is very good and service is excellent. Favourite dishes here include donner kebab, koftas, seafood and the cheese board. This is the kind of place I’d come as a couple or in a small group.

InterContinental Doha The City Al Jawhara Pavilion (Iftar 195QR / Suhour a la carte packages start from 180QR)

Lots of detail has gone into the design of the ballroom which makes it feel traditional, cosy, spacious and welcoming. Most of the food is on a ‘street’ set up in the corridor. There are screens to watch the football on and a large stage for entertainment during Suhour. There is a wide variety of food from the hotels various outlets, we enjoyed the Ouzi, lamb chops, shawarma and beef with broccoli. Service is excellent. This is a great place for a large group and is very family friendly.

Marsa Malaz Palatial Tent (Iftar 240QR / Suhour 290qr)

A very elegant, classy design with lovely tableware, everything is well presented. The ballroom holds the tables and the food is set up in the room next door. There is a good choice of different cuisines and some live cooking stations. We enjoyed the Arabic mezze, roast rib of beef and red velvet trifle – oh, and the cheeseboard! Service was good throughout and I liked that the chefs chatted to us about their cooking. A great Iftar for everyone.

St Regis Ramadan Souq (Iftar 230QR / Suhour 290qr)

We came here several times this year and I can see us coming back here again. The design is based on a souq and it creates a lovely atmosphere. Once again there is a good range of dishes including live cooking stations for savoury and sweet dishes. Our personal favourites were the roast beef, chicken in cream sauce, cheesecake and sticky date pudding. Service was good thoughout with plenty of staff on hand. A great Iftar for everyone.

The St Regis has also transformed the Al Gassar Grand Ballroom into Al Sukaria, a rustic Egyptian themed tent serving a small selection of savoury snacks and an array of desserts accompanied by traditional music. Priced at 145QR for Suhour only.

Melia Nidaaya and the Hala Ballroom (Iftar 160QR / Suhour a la carte packages start from 140QR)

Mmmmm, this is a tricky one. The Iftar is located in the hotels main buffet restaurant Nidaaya and it has not been converted into a tent. The food here was good, there wasn’t a huge range but what was there tasted great. I enjoyed the various fresh salads, mixed grill and white fish. Afterwards we went to the ballroom which is where guests can enjoy a stylish, contemporary Ramadan tent complete with savoury dishes, desserts, drinks and shisha. The room has been nicely set out, there’s a stage for entertainment and a large screen for the football. Good for groups and families.

California Tortilla (Iftar buffet 55QR)

Unlimited soup, nachos, tortillas, beef, chicken, fish, salad, accompaniments and drinks are available for this Iftar buffet alongside the regular menu. The restaurant hasn’t been decorated to reflect the season but there was a lantern on our table as a token gesture. The food was was pretty good and what we expect from this restaurant chain, although I found the beef chewy and a bit gristly. Everything was warm and quickly replenished and there were lots of staff on hand. Overall a cheap and cheerful way for everyone to break fast.

Marriott Marquis City Centre Wanassa Ramadan Tent (Iftar 215QR / Suhour from 75QR)

A great selection of dishes here including sushi, curries, roast joint of beef YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS!, salads, soups, cheese, desserts, ice cream plus live cooking stations. The food was very good, especially if you’re a meat lover. We really enjoyed the roast beef and yorkshires and the curry. All of the food is located outside the room so there is plenty of space inside the main dining area. Its been decorated nicely with white and gold furnishings creating a calm, contemporary space. This would be good for couples or small groups.

Sheraton Grand Ramadan Tent (Iftar 225QR / Suhour a la carte only 100QR minimum spend per person)

I went here for my first a la carte Suhour. The experience starts from the moment you you arrive at the majlis entrance. There are a small number of stalls selling a variety of products, free henna and a falcon to be photographed with. The tent itself it beautifully designed in rich reds and golds and with a live band during Suhour. We sampled a few dishes from the a la carte menu and the quality was very good. A great place for everyone to enjoy Suhour.

Please note that I was invited to all of the places but as always this hasn’t influenced my opinion and the photographs are all my own. Thanks to Greg, Emma and Jaime for attending these events with me, even on a school night! Greg, this weekend I promise I will go food shopping and cook at home 🙂