The Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) 2023 will take place at Lusail Boulevard from March 11 to 21, according to information available on the Qatar Tourism website.
"From haute cuisine to street food bites, the Qatar International Food Festival is a celebration of the world’s best cuisines. Picturesque outdoor venues set the scene for a Qatari signature and mouth-watering experience," the website says.
The festival will be open to the public from 2pm to 11pm on weekdays and from 2pm to 1am on weekends.
Parking will be available for those arriving by car. The nearest Doha Metro station is Lusail QNB, while Uber can also be used to reach the venue.
Highlights of the event include a fireworks show at 9pm; roaming acts; a 'dinner in the sky' experience; a high-end afternoon tea with Harrods; a vegan section; a healthy food section; a kids' section, a VIP section (accessible by everyone); the VIP Lounge (accessible with invite only); a live cooking stage; an ice rink (price to be confirmed); and food-related workshops (ticketed).
"Imagine having a taste of the world’s finest cuisines, while traces of local oudh and shisha tantalise the senses. From local shawarma to Mexican tacos and Liberian rice bread, consider it served. Kitchen creatives can also learn a trick or two in the masterclasses and live cooking shows," the website states.
For those more into Qatari specialties, there’s a local kitchen gem to be found around every corner. "While you may have tasted a bowl of machboos at home, the local combination of spices, ingredients and kitchen craft makes for a first-time experience. Green coffee beans from the region are ground for your Qahwa coffee, while pistachio flakes give the 'luiqaimat' donut that distinctive taste. And don’t forget the Karak tea," it adds.
