Breakfast. The most important meal of the day. Or the most unnecessary one, according to my husband 😉
Are you all about breakfast, or do you just grab anything you happen to have in your fridge? Or maybe you skip it altogether? I can definitely live without it, but also take immense pleasure in indulging in a good meal in the morning. Especially after a workout, it just feels so good.
However, considering how expensive it is to raise 3 kids in Qatar, we also had to change our approach when it comes to eating out. We are constantly on a mission to find the best deals out there. Qatar is generally pricey as far as good quality food is concerned, but there are definitely many hidden gems if you dig a bit deeper.
In my list, I included our favorite breakfast spots in Doha where you can grab something yummy to eat that doesn’t break your budget. I tried to categorize them from the cheapest to the most expensive (but we like them all equally!)
Note: I didn’t consider savings apps such as the Entertainer, because not everyone has them and I’m all about equal savings opportunities ;).
So, what’s for breakfast? 🙂
IKEA RESTAURANT
Ikea Restaurant is not expensive in general, and if you register as an Ikea Family member, you’re getting a lot of special deals on food and beverages (check their website for details, as these change!). Their breakfast sets are among the cheapest ones in town 🙂 I also like their chocolate muffins, they’re big and inexpensive. Not related to food, but they have a small playing area inside the restaurant, which is free for those who dine there!

POORI & KARAK
A great breakfast spot conveniently located in the Lusail Marina outdoor food court (I know that’s not specifically “breakfast in Doha”, but other locations are available too!). Just grab your food and enjoy it on the grass or bench overlooking the sea! A wide selection of chapatis is available, both sweet and savory, for as little as 4-7 QAR a piece. And they’re delicious! My personal favorite is the cheese+honey one while hubby likes them with eggs. If you pair the chapati with their 6 QAR coffee, you can eat for as little as 10 QAR.

HUDA BAKERY
Doha’s favorite spot for Arabic breakfast. 🙂 Options in Huda are wide and inexpensive. Various breakfast dishes cost anywhere between 15-35 QAR, and coffee is offered for 6-12 QAR. Huda is our go-to place if we’re going to the beach in the morning and we’d like to take breakfast with us. Also, their flatbread deserves recognition, it tastes amazing!

CRACK CAFE
Our recent discovery and my husband’s ultimate favorite option for breakfast in Doha! Crack is a tiny eatery in Najma, specializing in egg sandwiches. They are all loaded with flavor and very filling. Sadly, they’ve increased their prices but are still quite affordable, considering their size! Sandwiches are all delicious (tried and tested!) and cost between 25-30 QAR, while tea with mint is 4 QAR only. If you don’t feel like venturing into the crowded streets on Najma, they can deliver via the most popular delivery apps.

PAUL
My list would not be complete without the good old Paul! Paul is a bit of a tricky place for breakfast – most of their breakfast dishes cost around 40-50 QAR alone, and if you add coffee and juice on top of that, you can easily hit 100 QAR per person. They do, however, have breakfast sets which are a great option and priced much lower!

AL SHAMI HOME
A true hidden gem! Bayt Al Shami (Al Shami Home) used to be my go-to place for business lunches back in my corporate days (the restaurant is right next door to the Mercedes-Benz showroom). Little did I know that they also serve great breakfast spreads! The spread is huge, fresh, yummy and good for two people to share!

NANDOS
One of the best spots for breakfast in Doha at the moment, in my humble opinion! And it’s definitely underappreciated. I decided to include it even though some dishes will bring the total price a bit over the budget. Nando’s is offering a variety of pretty unique breakfasts dishes (South African & International). Note that not all Nando’s branches offer breakfast – you will find it in: Ezdan Mall in Wakra branch, The Pearl branch, Villaggio Mall branch, and Financial Square branch.

I hope the list gave you some inspiration for your next breakfast trip!
Below are some honorable mentions which, although a bit more pricey overall, are still a great option for you first meal of the day:
— Santa Monica Breakfast Club (in my honest opinion that’s the best breakfast in Qatar, buffet-style),
— Meesh Cafe (their bircher muesli is to die for!),
— Karafirin (serving a great Turkish breakfast spread for 2 people),
— Anis Cafe (a hidden gem of Msheireb Downtown, healthy and delicious menu),
— Rusk (definitely on the pricey side, but dishes are fresh & yummy, and their almond croissant is to die for!),
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You may also like…
— Doha Metro with (and without) kids – everything you need to know before taking your first trip!
— My favorite cafes to work remotely around Doha and Lusail.
— Family trips: our favorite destinations within a 40-minute drive from Lusail.