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The food and beverage landscape (F&B) in Qatar has expanded to more than 6,000 restaurants, alongside ongoing efforts to benchmark high service standards across the country.The milestone underscores the sector’s growth following Qatar Tourism’s launch of the ‘Taste of Qatar’ initiative in 2025, which classifies local dining venues using a three-star rating system to enhance hospitality competitiveness.Speaking at the ‘Taste of Qatar Series II – Spotlight on Qatari Entrepreneurship’ event organised by Qatar Tourism, Jassim al-Mahmoud, director of Public Relations and Communications at Visit Qatar, highlighted the scale and quality of the national culinary market.Held in the presence of His Excellency Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, chairman of Qatar Tourism, the event, gathered a selection of local entrepreneurs and creative culinary talents who are contributing to the growth and evolution of Qatar's hospitality sector.It was also highlighted by a fireside chat with Omar Abdulrahman al-Jaber, chief of Operations Affairs at Qatar Tourism, and panel discussions that focused key topics and challenges in entrepreneurship and the F&B sector.“We now have more than 6,000 restaurants offering cuisines from around the world,” al-Mahmoud said in his opening speech. He explained that international recognition has accompanied the quantitative expansion of the sector, pointing to global accolades earned by local establishments.Al-Mahmoud noted that 30 Qatari restaurants have been recommended by the Michelin Guide, while eight additional venues received government recommendations. He emphasised that local entrepreneurs have played an essential role in driving the sector’s quality improvements and international standing.“These achievements would not have been possible without the contributions of entrepreneurs across the hospitality and catering sectors,” he emphasised.Under the ‘Taste of Qatar’ framework launched by Qatar Tourism to classify cafes and dining spots, top-performing venues receive three stars for meeting peak industry criteria.“In this context, to foster and support creativity, we launched Taste of Qatar to classify Qatari restaurants and cafés and promote Qatar as a global hospitality destination,” he emphasised, adding that the effort aligns with national growth goals to ensure standard service quality across all resident demographics.He said, “We aim to promote the hospitality sector, establish high standards of service and support sustainable development in line with Qatar’s vision of providing exceptional experiences for both citizens and expatriates.”Al-Mahmoud pointed out that ‘Taste of Qatar’ will function as an ongoing hub for industry leaders rather than a one-off gathering.“Our ambitions for the Taste of Qatar programme extend beyond organising panel discussions; we aim to create a sustainable platform that facilitates the exchange of creativity and expertise among entrepreneurs,” he explained.He added that the initiative seeks to strengthen long-term commercial competitiveness while building a cohesive service environment. 

Qatar Tourism (QT) is stepping up efforts to develop the country’s restaurant and culinary sector by supporting Qatari entrepreneurs, promoting local talent and encouraging innovation, Chief of Operations Affairs Omar Abdulrahman al-Jaber said at the second session of the “Taste of Qatar: Spotlight on Qatari Entrepreneurs” programme.“The culinary sector is a genuine expression of Qatar’s identity, culture and time-honoured hospitality, as well as a vital economic sector with promising opportunities for growth and investment,” al-Jaber said.“To this end, we are building an integrated ecosystem that supports the sector’s development and instils a culture of excellence through initiatives and programmes that raise quality and service standards and enable business owners to develop distinctive, competitive experiences that attract visitors,” he added.**media[500580]**Held in the presence of His Excellency the QT Chairman Saad bin Ali al-Kharji, the event brought together Qatari entrepreneurs and chefs to exchange insights, share experiences and explore opportunities to advance the restaurant and hospitality sector.“Qatari restaurants and brands also play an important role in shaping the destination’s story and offering visitors authentic experiences that embody our culture and identity and reflect the wealth of tourism, heritage and cultural assets Qatar has to offer,” al-Jaber said.Visit Qatar public relations and Communications director Jassim al-Mahmoud said the session provided a platform for dialogue and highlighted creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the restaurant and culinary arts sector.“With this session, we wanted to create a rich space for dialogue and the exchange of views, and to highlight stories of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the restaurant and culinary arts sector,” he said. “Taste of Qatar, which we launched last year, reinforces this approach by celebrating excellence, encouraging innovation and establishing high-quality standards, helping to elevate the restaurant and hospitality sector and strengthen Qatar’s position as a global culinary destination.”**media[500581]**The event featured two panel discussions.The first examined the journeys of Qatari entrepreneurs, including their success stories, challenges and efforts to turn innovative ideas into successful and scalable businesses.Participants were Flat White Specialty Coffee founder and chief executive Maryam al-Badr, Inbat Group founder and chief executive Ghanim al-Sulaiti, The Espresso Collective and InStudio Club founder and creative director Nouf al-Haidous, MA Group chairman Abdulla al-Emadi, and Ajlan al-Kaabi, founder of Athar Café, Haql Café and Palladium.The second panel, “Qatari Talent”, explored the role of Qatari chefs in preserving the authenticity of local cuisine while embracing contemporary approaches and innovative techniques.Chefs Aisha al-Tamimi, Mohammed al-Abdulla, Noor al-Mazroei and Salman Jaida shared their experiences, including international visitors’ responses to Qatari flavours and the role of food in fostering cultural connections.The Taste of Qatar initiative is part of the QT’s efforts to strengthen the culinary offering as an integral component of the visitor experience, while providing a platform to showcase local talent, homegrown brands and Qatar’s distinctive flavours, culture and hospitality. 

Through Taste of Qatar, the nation’s culinary stories are being recognised, celebrated, and shared with the world, a Visit Qatar statement said Saturday. Taste of Qatar, launched by Qatar Tourism following the debut of the Michelin Guide Doha 2025 and developed in collaboration with the global research firm Ipsos, is the nation’s official restaurant rating programme. For diners, spotting the Taste of Qatar plaque at an entrance is a promise that every detail has been perfected, every plate prepared with care, and every guest welcomed with the warmth and hospitality Qatar is known for. Earning a Taste of Qatar certification is a journey of dedication. Restaurants, cafes, and local dining concepts are awarded a 1–3 star rating, with the coveted 3-star status reserved for those who consistently achieve a 90% or above rating in multiple inspections throughout the year. These inspections capture the essence of an outlet’s service, quality, and hospitality. Mystery dining visits ensure that every experience is authentic, while aggregate scores reflect a commitment to excellence over time. To be considered, outlets must first, register and remain active on the programme’s official portal, pass the Ministry of Public Health’s Watheq inspection and demonstrate consistent quality across food, service, and ambiance. Every year, 3-star certified outlets will be honoured at the Taste of Qatar Certification Ceremony. The celebration brings together chefs, owners, to recognise their achievements, receive their official plaque.

Qatar Tourism (QT) hosted a stakeholder townhall for its “Taste of Qatar” programme.The event gathered leading representatives from Qatar’s food and beverage sector including restaurants, cafés, chefs, and hospitality experts to mark the beginning of a national initiative aimed at setting new standards for service excellence and positioning Qatar as a world-class culinary destination. **media[361733]**The townhall was officially opened by Visit Qatar public relations and communications director Jassim al-Mahmoud, in the presence of Visit Qatar chief executive, engineer Abdulaziz Ali al-Mawlawi.Commenting on the programme, QT chief of tourism development Omar al-Jaber said: “’Taste of Qatar’ reflects our commitment to supporting the food and beverage sector with professional evaluations, constructive feedback, and recognition that enables outlets to grow and succeed in a competitive market.”The agenda featured two panel discussions.The first panel explored perspectives from industry leaders on the evolution of Qatar’s dining scene, the expectations of today’s diners, and the importance of cultural identity in shaping the country’s food and beverage offerings.The second panel focused on sustainable dining and local impact.Panellists discussed the role of regenerative farming, plant-based innovation, and global hotel strategies in creating a more sustainable and responsible gastronomic future for Qatar.The event concluded with a presentation by representatives of the Michelin Guide, who provided an international perspective on the standards and opportunities that drive international recognition in the dining sector.The “Taste of Qatar” programme is a national restaurant rating initiative that sets benchmarks for service excellence and guest experience across the food and beverage sector.Open to all licensed outlets, the programme has already attracted strong participation with registrations reaching over 600 submissions currently under review and mystery dining evaluations in progress.Certified restaurants will be recognised later this year at an official ceremony, where they will be awarded plaques and promoted through Visit Qatar’s channels, increasing their visibility among both local and international audiences. – QNA

Qatar Tourism hosted a stakeholder townhall for its Taste of Qatar programme. The event gathered leading representatives from Qatar's food and beverage sector, including restaurants, cafés, chefs, and hospitality experts to mark the beginning of a national initiative aimed at setting new standards for service excellence and positioning Qatar as a world-class culinary destination.The townhall was officially opened by PR and Communications Director at Visit Qatar Jassim Al Mahmoud, in the presence of the Chief Executive Officer of Visit Qatar Eng. Abdulaziz Ali Al Mawlawi.Commenting on the programme, Chief of Tourism Development at Qatar Tourism Omar Al Jaber said: "Taste of Qatar reflects our commitment to supporting the food and beverage sector with professional evaluations, constructive feedback, and recognition that enables outlets to grow and succeed in a competitive market."The agenda featured two panel discussions. The first panel explored perspectives from industry leaders on the evolution of Qatar's dining scene, the expectations of today's diners, and the importance of cultural identity in shaping the country's food and beverage offerings.The second panel focused on sustainable dining and local impact. Panelists discussed the role of regenerative farming, plant-based innovation, and global hotel strategies in creating a more sustainable and responsible gastronomic future for Qatar.The event concluded with a presentation by representatives of the MICHELIN Guide, who provided a global perspective on the standards and opportunities that drive international recognition in the dining sector.The Taste of Qatar programme is a national restaurant rating initiative that sets clear benchmarks for service excellence and guest experience across the food and beverage sector. Open to all licensed outlets, the programme has already attracted strong participation, with registrations reaching over 600 submissions currently under review and mystery dining evaluations in progress.Certified restaurants will be recognised later this year at an official ceremony, where they will be awarded plaques and promoted through Visit Qatar's channels, increasing their visibility among both local and international audiences.