The deal with food delivery

The deal with food delivery in Qatar by Laura Powell-Corbett

Living in Qatar amid a global pandemic has seen many changes implemented across the state to keep citizens and residents safe during these unprecedented times. With restaurants and hotels closed as we all practice social distancing, staying in has become the new going out. While some of you may be budding chefs using this time to perfect your signature dish, others are probably getting a bit sick of burning cheese on toast. If you’re the latter, never fear! Because the hospitality industry across Doha won’t let you down. Begone, burnt cheese on toast, and step up to the plate delicious fine dining delivered directly to your door. Not only are you now able to indulge in the fine dining experience at home, but many outlets are also offering discounts on orders. Either they’re slicing off a percentage of the original price, or they’re allowing customers to use their Entertainer vouchers. Ordering in doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think. Note: The information in the article is accurate at the time of writing.

have one restaurant at your fingertips, but a multitude to choose from. Talabat: Operating across seven countries in the GCC, this online food-ordering service helps you find restaurants local to you. It also offers a range of filter options, such as cuisine, minimum order amount, ratings, and fastest delivery. Talabat is available in both desktop and mobile app formats, and you can track your order from the moment you place it until it arrives on your doorstep. Standard delivery is QR 10, but many restaurants are waiving this fee during this time. Fee: QR 0 to QR 10 Payment: cash or card Carriage: This app uses a similar operating model to Talabat where you can filter restaurants based on various choices, and track your order from placement to arrival. Standard delivery is also QR 10 per order. Fee: QR 0 to QR 10 Payment: cash or card Snoonu: This app also works similarly to Talabat and Carriage in its food delivery section, although it offers a wider range of other services. It is currently partnered up with Tawar Mall, making its outlets available for home delivery through the platform, including restaurants and cafes. Snoonu also offers seasonal promotions in addition to other discounts. Plus, Snoonu is made in and exclusively serves Qatar.

Fees: QR 0 to QR 10 Payment: cash or card (local debit cards accepted through NAPS system)

Rafeeq: Rafeeq is also exclusively local and offers similar services to Snoonu. It also contains a nifty “wishlist” section that features all the restaurants you’ve “liked” for easier future access. Fees: QR 0 to QR 10 Payment: cash or card (local debit cards accepted through NAPS system)

HOTELS

While many of Doha’s restaurants have been offering home delivery for some time now, Doha’s hotels have largely remained dine-in only. With many fabulous five-star offerings across Doha, we have been spoilt for choice when going out. But now that staying in is “in”, many of our favourite hotels have also jumped on the delivery wagon, which means that you can have that five-star experience at home. Reducing your transport costs and availing some of the fantastic offers available, it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you think.

Hotels delivering via Talabat or Carriage

Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel: Dishes from Cucina, Crossroads, and Quick Bites are available for delivery between 12 pm and 10 pm. To pre-order, call 4419-5000 for pick up, or order directly on Talabat instead.

The Westin Doha Hotel: Dishes from Sabai Thai are available to order on Talabat (within a set delivery radius) between 12 pm and 10 pm. There is no fee for delivery. La Cigale Hotel, Doha: Meals are available for delivery within the Al Sadd area via Carriage. You can also pre-order by calling 4428-8820 or sending a WhatsApp message on 5518- 8868 to pick up from the hotel between 7 am and 7 pm. mixed grills, fresh saj, mezzes, and more, delivered to your doorstep. Order directly on Talabat or Carriage.

Hotels delivering directly

Mondrian Doha Hotel: Home to the world-renowned Morimoto restaurant and critically acclaimed Hudson’s Tavern, the Mondrian now offers a taste-to-go service. Offering the convenience of takeaway and delivery, you can enjoy this five-star dining experience at home. To order, call 4045-5999 or WhatsApp 5050-7888. A 20 percent discount is offered on all orders.

W Doha Hotel: With the motto “anywhere, anytime”, your favourite dishes from the W are available 24/7 directly to your door with “W2GO”. This includes orders from Market by Jean-Georges, La Spiga, and a special W2GO menu. Not only that, but they have also introduced OFFICE2GO for those key workers unable to work from home. This offer includes a threecourse meal with a soft drink, available from Sunday to Wednesday, from 12 pm to 4pm and 4 pm to 6 pm, all for the bargain price of QR 120. To order, call 4453-5135 or WhatsApp 7794-3975.

Four Seasons Hotel, Doha: Mouth-watering dishes from Elements restaurant are now available to order directly to your door. To order, call or WhatsApp 4494-8888 The Ritz-Carlton, Doha: You can now bring the BLounge home, as the restaurant›s full menu is available for delivery. Because if you can’t go to your favourite restaurant, then your favourite restaurant can come to you. To order, call or WhatsApp 5080-4421.

BIG-NAME RESTAURANTS DELIVERING FOR FREE ON TALABAT

There are many restaurants that are choosing to waive their delivery fee while Qatar is in lockdown. These include (but aren’t limited to): Shake Shack, Krispy Kreme, Fabio’s, PAUL, Saj Boutique, Diet Cafe, Tea Club, Sushi Minto, Exit 55, and Abou Shawarma. Talabat also has a spe-

cial offers section, so you can check whether your restaurant of choice has any promotions available. Offers include a free cheesecake when spending more than QR 120 at The Cheesecake Factory, up to 50 percent off at Baskin Robbins, and a specially priced “Happy Hour” at Buns Burger.

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES IN DOHA

BOHO Social: If you’re craving modern, eclectic food with an Arabian twist, then the newly opened BOHO Social in Katara has the perfect menu for you. It’s also available for order directly on Talabat.

Doha Rugby Football Centre (DRFC): With a delivery service available from Saturday to Thursday within a 10 km radius of the club, DRFC are offering you the comfort of home-cooked meals that you do not have to cook yourself. The family meals are available to pre-order and some come part-cooked, ready for you to finish off in your home oven. Others, such as the Saturday Roast, arrive warm at your doorstep. The menu also changes often to give you some variety. For more information on the latest menu and special offers, like Fish and Chips Thursdays, check out the club’s Facebook page. You can order on WhatsApp at 3376-5596.

Superheroes Eat Plants: This local organisation offers three separate options for home delivery: a fiveday lunch delivery with one snack per day for QR250, a five-day lunch and dinner delivery with one snack per day for QR 425, and a “family favourite” menu available daily. Plus, they are now on Talabat via the Raw Middle East platform. To order, WhatsApp 7771-1902. Contactless delivery is available upon request.

Torba Farmers Market: Now you can buy directly from the local farms and artisans, with fresh vegetables, produce, and handmade products delivered to your door. Shop online, pay (cash on delivery or card), and your order will be delivered to your doorstep. Order online at farmersmarket.qa and friends with exceptional food. The speciality convenience store, the juice and salad bar, and the cafe are all available for delivery from 7 am to midnight. To order, WhatsApp 5024-6000.

Milia: Looking for something sweet? Milia has the answer. All orders are organic and homemade by Milia. From brownie-crinkle cookies to milk pudding, there is something to suit everyone’s sweet tooth. Place your orders on Instagram by sending a direct message to @milia.qa.

Yasmine Palace: This locally-renowned Arabian eatery is now offering the chance to indulge in the Yasmine Gourmet experience at home. Through its Instagram page (@YasmineGourmet), Yasmine Palace advertises package-deal offers for cook/prepare-athome marinated meats and burgers, mezzes, and desserts. Salads, dairy products, pickles, and jams are also available for home delivery. To order, WhatsApp 7711-1504 or call 6611-1506.

With the help of all of the wonderful restaurants in Doha, you can make your foodie soul sing while staying in. With more options opening up daily, there is something for everyone and every budget. The message is simple during this pandemic: #StayHomeQatar, and we will come to you. Stay safe, Qatar.