Here are the dishes that stood out the most to our MICHELIN Guide inspectors in Doha’s inaugural selection.
With the launch of the first-ever MICHELIN Guide Doha edition, we dive a little deeper in the dishes our famously anonymous MICHELIN Guide inspectors impressed them the most during their restaurant visits.
Discover their favourites below.
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Ajwaini Kairee Jheenga
Jamavar
One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: A plate with stunning oversized prawn, beautifully roasted in the tandoor with carom seeds. The prawn was so tender with just a hint of caramelised edges that could’ve easily been eaten alone but then it is combined with an exceptional chilled and sophisticated chilli, coconut mango chutney similar to a tapenade that was sublimely elegant.
Mackerel and watercress broth, sea urchin, smoked tuna, seaweed toast
IDAM by Alain Ducasse
One MICHELIN Star, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: A pure and simple dish. It had an excellently smooth and subtly astringent chilled watercress puree, which came with bright and sea fresh cubes of mackerel fillet. It was matched by a subtly smoked and cured meaty tuna and a little unagi in the centre, but the showstopper was a fabulous ''toast'' of all the above. The finish touch is a grated cured tuna heart atop! A truly beautiful dish packed with rich sea flavours.
Yellow Prawn Curry
Isaan
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: This was a lovely yellow curry! It came with two large de-shelled meaty and tasty prawn tails, which were served in a smooth, rich and creamy yellow curry sauce with a little heat. The sauce left a tingling sensation on the lips, but with a noticeable shellfish taste too – you can taste the prawn’s shell was used to make the sauce. It also featured pieces of waxy potato – which added texture – some juicy cherry tomatoes, and crispy onions garnished on top for a classic finish. It is served with steamed rice from a wicker basket, with second helping offered too!
READ MORE: All the highlights from the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Ceremony Doha
Kibbet El Pistachio
SAWA by Sanad
MICHELIN-selected, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: Another dessert that was very carefully executed with a dense, rich and condensed pistachio ice cream (almost similar to kulfi) enrobed in a moist and soft pistachio and semolina crumb. It is finished with a well-crafted fresh vanilla crème anglaise.
Baklawa Kahwa Caramel
Jiwan
Bib Gourmand, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: Finish on a high note with this dessert. It features fine crisp discs of caramelised bric, filled with a well-chilled rich, subtle and refined coffee cream, and topped with a dense halva /praline ice cream and a little nut brittle.
Indian Ocean Lobster
Rivaaj
MICHELIN-selected, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: A great example of a juicy, tender and very sweet lobster. It comes with 400-500 grams of prime medallion and claw, as well as an extra rich deep and spicy but admittedly well-crafted coconut curry, leaf-tamarind sauce. It is recommended to get steamed rice to temper slightly temper the spiciness!
Soft-Shelled Crab
Kai’s Songbird
MICHELIN-selected, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: This beautifully fresh soft-shelled crab is coated in a super fine, ultra crisp and tempered batter showed plenty of care and precision. It sat on a refreshingly sweet chilli and spiced fine mango salsa. It was dusted with a chilli, shallot and garlic crumble.
Donafa Ain
SMAT
MICHELIN-selected, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: A classic Qatari dessert recommended by the waiter! It is a crisp golden ring with doughnut-like texture that is filled with a melting cheese, similar to brie in feel and flavour. It is fully coated in shredded phyllo strands, topped with sweet pomegranate, and drizzled with honey syrup, which was a great contrast and complimented the cheese taste. Served with a quenelle of good vanilla ice cream, some almond flakes and a raspberry. The dish is clearly prepared with obvious effort, the flavours were good and enjoyable.
Stir-Fried Wagyu Beef Rib-Eye, Soy Glaze, Garlic Crisps
Liang
MICHELIN-selected, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: This dish features neatly cubed pieces of quality Wagyu beef stir-fried so the exterior had a subtle crisp, while its soft moist interior was beautifully tender and packed with good flavour. Its taste was enhanced by the nicely balanced, light soy-based sauce it was served in. The thin garlic crisps added more taste and texture to the overall dish.
Lobster Spaghetti
La Méditerranée Robuchon
MICHELIN-selected, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: A speciality of the place, this generous serving of fresh spaghetti napped in a rich lobster bisque with a hint of basil and spice and had a fair amount of meaty and tender lobster medallion.
Honey Banana
MURU
MICHELIN-selected, MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025Inspector’s notes: This dessert features a soft set black sesame ice cream coated in a very fine light banana espuma. Its base is made of candied and macerated banana, finished with toasted sesame and carefully baked crisp honeycomb biscuit tuilles are set on top. Quite an elegant finish!
Illustration image: BARAZANJI STUDIO/SAWA by Sanad
