Cheap Restaurants in Doha: Where to Eat for Less
Budget restaurants in Doha named in Time Out Doha's own 2025 Restaurant Awards, with real prices, from Souq Waqif skewers to Vietnamese pho.
Doha has a genuine budget dining scene, distinct from its high-end restaurants, and Time Out Doha runs actual awards for it rather than just an editor's list. This guide draws directly on Time Out Doha's 2025 Restaurant Awards results, read in the outlet's own page in September 2026, and includes the real prices and areas the article itself gives.
Award-recognized budget restaurants
| Restaurant | Award status | Area | Reported price example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kabab El Tayeb | Winner | Souq Waqif | Skewers from QR5, budget platter QR20 |
| Mama Rozie | Highly commended | Al Muntazah | Nasi Goreng QR30, Laksa QR35 |
| Turkey Central | Listed | Al Nasr | Chicken shawarma QR5, mixed grill around QR25 |
| Aryaas | Shortlisted | The Pearl-Qatar | Pure vegetarian Indian thalis |
| Bandar Araden | Listed | Souq Waqif | Yemeni mandi, floor seating |
| Beirut Restaurant | Listed | Fereej Bin Mahmoud | Falafel sandwich QR5, hummus and fries QR11 |
| Hoi An Pho | Listed | Fereej Bin Mahmoud | Vietnamese pho and fresh summer rolls |
| Mashawi Al Arabi | Listed | Al Nasr | Chicken shawarma sandwich QR8, platter QR30 |
Time Out Doha describes itself as reviewing anonymously and paying for its own meals, which is a more transparent review process than most sources we cite for restaurant content on this site.
What to check before you go
- Confirm the restaurant is still open, since Doha's budget dining scene turns over some locations faster than high-end restaurants.
- Several of the restaurants above are reported as unlicensed, meaning no alcohol is served, which is standard for most budget dining in Doha.
- Prices quoted here are as reported by Time Out Doha in its award coverage and will change over time.
- Cash is commonly expected at smaller, informal spots such as those in Souq Waqif, so carry some in case cards are not accepted.
Related reading
For a specific cuisine rather than a price point, see our guides to Pakistani restaurants in Doha, Indian restaurants in Doha, and Arabic restaurants in Doha. For a family-oriented meal, see our guide to family restaurants in Doha.
What we could not verify
- Current prices, since these change and the figures here are as reported by Time Out Doha.
- Current opening hours for any restaurant listed.
- Whether each restaurant is still operating under the same name and location.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best budget restaurant in Doha?
Time Out Doha's 2025 Restaurant Awards named Kabab El Tayeb, in Souq Waqif, as the winner, with skewers reported from QR5.
Where can I eat cheaply near Souq Waqif?
Kabab El Tayeb and Bandar Araden are both located in Souq Waqif and are named in Time Out Doha's budget restaurant coverage.
Is this list official or complete?
It draws on Time Out Doha's own 2025 Restaurant Awards for budget dining, which is a transparent, paid-review process, but it is not an official government list and is not exhaustive.
Do budget restaurants in Doha serve alcohol?
Several of the restaurants listed here are reported as unlicensed, meaning no alcohol is served, which is common for budget dining in Doha.
Sources & references
Agha Ali Abbas
Founder & Editor
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