To find the most interesting food scene in Doha right now, head to Bin Mahmoud

Diverse, well priced and lively, Bin Mahmoud is the best of Doha's food scene

It’s easy to be caught up in the fine dining loop the loop on this town. We still have an appetite and propensity for a dizzying menu of big names and expensive dishes.

I know this well because this is a world I inhabit - as a food writer and someone who enjoys eating out. I know and also love the feeling of falling into the warm, perfumed and expensive embrace of the five star dining world.

But to find the true beating heart of Qatar’s food scene, you need to step outside the West Bay/Pearl thunder dome and head to a spot like Bin Mahmoud.

Is it the only “eat street” in town? Definitely not. 

Al Sadd, Al Nasr Street, Al Hiteen Street, Matar Qadeem, Mansoura and Al Azzizya can all stake a claim. Also Souq Al Wakra and even the pop up food parks have some excellent spots.

But the axis of Al Jazeera street and Bin Mahmoud Street  and surrounding area is home to what I think is the most diverse concentration of independent eateries in town. And it just keeps on growing.

There's forever fan favorite Tuk Tuk Saigon with Vietnamese, Burmese and Thai dishes. Round the corner is Vietnamese spot  Hoi An with pho and other exciting and fresh dishes. 

Nearby is superstar newbie HanNan Kitchen with its' it of the box Burmese forward menu (and Thai and Vietnamese) that has set foodie hearts aflutter in recent months and for good reason.

Meanwhile Taiwnese food makes its entrance to the Doha market at Xuan Tea. Home of boba tea and Taiwanese fried chicken, there’s also oyako don and more on the menu.

Al Kalha serves up Palestinian and Jordanian classics and you can sample some of the most-loved Lebanese food in Doha at Beirut (the hommous is legendary) which has been serving up great food since 1960. And, of course, there is a branch of Al Aker sweets. 

Khao San and Thai Cuisine both turn out crowd pleasing Thai classics and have a legion of fans. Newer and also garnering attention is Chix N Rise, which has a short and sharp menu of khao men gai (chicken rice) and Thai boat noodles.

Dim Sum House offers dumplings including the Filipino fave siu mai and speaking of Kabayan, there is a branch of Shore Time. Japan Village is located on the first floor of an office building just off the C ring Road and offers ramen and Osaka style chicken.

South Asia-wise and you will also find a branch of popular Indian spot Chaya Kada there as well as Desi Dhaba. Of course, old school favorite Jamal Restaurant, serving up home style Pakistani dishes for years.

Sobingsu brings the cult Korean desserts to Doha at their still fresh spot on Bin Mahmoud Street.  Speaking of Korean, Bin Mahmoud is something of an epicentre for this unstoppable cuisine.

For many K food fans, Sol is a bit of an OG and worth a visit for their unfussy takes on Korean food. And you can find Korean ingredients (including frozen dumplings, gochujang, ramen and more) at the Korean Food Center. The store formerly known as the beloved Vision Mart, now open in Bin Mahmoud and is also well stocked with other TikTok friendly favorites.

And for a serious coffee there is Kabayan Brewers - more power to these guys for bringing us their love of the java. We’re seeing a surge of eateries showcasing the food of the African diaspora and Asanka Delight is one of those spots. With a menu of Ghanian food, it recently reopened. 

If you are feeling like something stronger, the very underrated Centro Capital Doha has a bar and happy hour as well as excellent value theme nights. Just off the strip(s) you will find Steak Town in the Sapphire Plaza Hotel, unpretentious steaks at equally approachable prices.

Still in the postcode but a slight walk away, much-loved Polish and Eastern European kitchen  Polka has set up shop in Le Mirage City Walk. 

Occasionally, deep down in my foodie heart I dream that five star and fine dining chefs in Doha will take look at this area (and the others I mentioned) and consider a crossover/popup concept. It would send the food scene and Instagram wild.

Sure, parking in the area is akin to a survival reality show scenario and there are spots where the sidewalk disappears. But that’s part of the allure. 

While our fine dining spots and more “glamorous” locations struggle with footfall and patronage, Bin Mahmoud and surrounding areas is, to put it bluntly, thriving.