Brunch: West Bay's Top 3 Mid-Morning Feasts

Doha's colourful skyline rises above the city centre's seven-kilometre palm-lined promenade, which overlooks the clear blue waters of the Persian Gulf dotted with traditional Dhow boats. The view is particularly diverting, especially for those who spend time in the city's metropolitan district of West Bay, one of Doha's most renowned neighbourhoods for its cityscape of awe-inspiring skyscrapers. The neighbourhood includes the city's east coast districts of Al Qassar, Al Dafna, and Onaiza and is Doha's commercial hub, housing many government offices and departments and several of the world's largest corporations. However, though West Bay may be Doha's business centre, it is also home to some rather opulent hotels, and they offer a host of excellent places to brunch - Qatar's favourite weekend activity.

Sumptuous surroundings, foods from all around the globe and, of course, the outstanding views make brunching in West Bay a hugely popular pastime for Doha's residents. With so many hotels offering a plethora of brunch styles, from the Mediterranean to Arabic, Chinese to South American, where does one start? If you find yourself in this fabulous predicament, continue reading, this guide puts the spotlight on West Bay's top three weekend brunches.

Family Fun Brunch at Al Hubara

Image: alhubararestaurant.com/specials (downloaded)

Al Hubara's Family Fun brunch is perfect for everyone, especially those with a young brood in tow. Every Friday from 12.30 pm to 4 pm, Al Hubara at the Sheraton Grand hotel offers a family-friendly brunch with a great choice of local and international cuisines. Buffet food is served by the culinary team from stations that include seafood, grill and bbq, Arabic, Indian, Japanese cuisine, and live cooking stations. From their own cute food stations, kids can enjoy a host of healthy foods (fruits, veggies, fresh chicken nuggets and sandwiches), popular kids staples (mac'n'cheese, hot dogs, mini burgers and fries) and a raft of sticky-sweet desserts (cupcakes, cake pops, popcorn and ice cream) in a vibrant and playful kids' corner. The doughnut wall, candy floss station and chocolate fountain will undoubtedly be favourites! Kids will also be kept busy with the raft of activities and entertainment on offer - kids' face painting, biscuit decorating, arts and crafts, a magician, and a mascot - making this brunch a massive hit with the little brunchers.

Beyond the brunch, the Sheraton Grand sits on the coast at a perfect vantage point to take in the beauty of the Gulf waters; and it is one of Doha's most iconic buildings. The structure was built forty years ago. It was the first contemporary building constructed in West Bay and the first international hotel in Doha. Its distinctive pyramid shape was a forebearer of the architecture to come and so indicative of Doha's modern transformation; it is a place you need to visit whether you stop for brunch or not!

• Timings: Every Friday 12:30 pm to 4 pm
• Cost:
  • QAR 350 for adults (+ QAR 180 for unlimited drinks including stronger beverages)
  • QAR 175 for children age 6-12 years
• Location: Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, Al Corniche Street, Doha
• Contact: +974 4485 4444
• Website: https://www.alhubararestaurant.com/

Hakka Brunch at Hakkasan Doha

Image: hakkasan.com/doha/gallery/

From family friendly to something more adult-friendly, the Hakkasan restaurant at the St Regis hotel offers sublime Cantonese fare in tranquil, sumptuous surroundings that shout contemporary Chinese style. Hakkasan Doha opened in 2013 and is one of the few restaurants in the city that has consistently maintained its exceptional service and delicious cuisines over the years - winning them many accolades, but most recently, Best Chinese Restaurant in Doha at the fact. Dining Awards 2022. One of the reasons we are sure that the brunch here is unmissable.

Located in the gardens of the St. Regis Hotel Doha, the Hakka brunch is offered as a set menu with a smaller range of choices than many of its contemporaries, rather like a taster menu. However, the refined traditional Cantonese dishes, such as Peking Duck, Lychee Lobster and Dim Sum with wagyu beef, venison or royal king crab, are sophisticated, elegant, and beautifully presented taste sensations. When you step into Hakkasan, you know you will have a memorable, indulgent experience. Even better is that, during the cooler weather, you can enjoy brunch outside on their very tranquil terrace surrounded by lush greenery, a world away from city life.

• Timings: Every Friday 12 pm to 4 pm
• Cost:
  • QAR 308 inclusive of soft beverages
  • QAR 498 inclusive of stronger beverages
• Location: St. Regis Doha, West Bay, Doha
• Contact: +974 4446 0170

Website: https://hakkasan.com/doha/

Vamos de Fiesta at COYA Doha

Image: coyarestaurant.com/restaurants/doha/

COYA Doha is one of the newest and most popular brunch venues in Westbay. Located in W Doha, COYA brings the Incan heritage from Peru to Doha. With vibrant interiors full of Peruvian textiles, handicrafts and ornaments and an equally flavourful South American menu, you can feel the soul of Peru in every sense at COYA.

Brunch at COYA is presented over five courses, four of which are shared platters or a selection of specific dishes, and one, the main course, is individually chosen. The brunch menu lets you savour the best dishes on the regular menu, such as tuna tacos, salmon maki rolls, guacamole, ceviches, and anticuchos (marinated grilled meat and vegetables on skewers). And while the brunch at COYA is sure to please foodies, the DJ and live entertainment will keep the party going. So, if you are looking for a fabulous party brunch, this is where you should be - don't just take our word for it; COYA just won the Best Social Brunch in Doha at the fact. Dining Awards 2022!

• Timings: Every Friday 12 pm to 3:45 pm
• Price:
  • QAR 350: inclusive of soft beverages
  • QAR 450: inclusive of House beverages
  • QAR 550: inclusive of Premium beverages
• Location: W Doha Hotel & Residences, Diplomatic St, Doha
• Contact: +974 4453 5135
• Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dohwh-w-doha/dining/

How To Get To West Bay

West Bay can easily be reached by car or taxi and public transport on the bus or via the Metro.

Mowasalat, Qatar’s public transport administrator, offers a shuttle bus service for the West Bay area. The shuttle makes thirty-six stops at 12-minute intervals between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., seven days a week, travelling through most of West Bay's hotel and commercial sectors.

The Metro Red Line has three stops in West Bay - West Bay QIC, Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), and Al Qassar. A single trip on the metro currently costs 2 QAR.

The Metro Express, a complementary pilot ride-sharing feeder service, operates in West Bay as part of the metro service and can connect you to specific points within 2 to 5 km from the metro stations. Customers can book a ride through the Metro Express Doha app.

Main image: Boule/Shutterstock.com