Saida - Doha

Saida –Near Souq Waqif Art Center, Souq Waqif, Doha

Cuisine: Middle Eastern (Lebanese / Arabic)

All reviews will be based on the Cuisine and Fare the restaurant/outlet is known for / specialized in.

This review is based on inputs from myself as well as fellow foodies who have accompanied me to this restaurant.

ALL RATING ARE IN THE SCALE OF 5. A rating of 5 mean Excellent while 1 is Poor.

FOOD: RATING 4 OUT OF 5.

Item 1 –Manakish – All Manakish with Labneh / Cheese /Meat

If I am not mistaken SAIDA does have a bakery of their own, hence the Manakish they make is indeed a good one. Especially the ones with Labneh or Meat. They are a treat to eat and loved the way the serve them on the plate.

Manakish

Item 2 – Hot Appetizers – Batata Harah (Spiced Potatoes)

It is quite a treat and I believe it is grownups version of the French fries. Fried and Spiced to perfection with a hint of Coriander that gives it a little kick in the overall taste and texture.

Batata Harah (Spiced Potatoes)

Item 3 – Hot Appetizers – Egg dishes

Even though I have not tired the egg dishes it seems to be a commonly ordered dish as most of the people I have asked about says a good review about it.

Item 4 – Cold Appetizers – Hummus / Hummus with meat

For all those Hummus lovers, this is dish does fit the bill as a feel good hummus.

Hummus / Hummus with Meat

 Item 5 – Sandwiches

Again, I haven’t tried this but this seems to be one of the most prominent dishes on the table of every customer who visits this place. The cheese chicken sandwich (or is it the Philly sandwich) does look tempting.

Item 6 – Juices – Fresh Juices

They are really refreshing and must have especially as a “starter” before the meal!

Item 7 – THE MINT TEA!!! – WOW!!

Mint Tea

Item 9 & 10 – Pizzas & Salads

Unfortunately, I haven’t tried this nor do I have any feedback from people I know on these items hence I cannot rate.

This being the fact, the overall rating is based only on the things I have tried or know about.

SERVICE – 4.5 OUT OF 5

Wonderful. They do make you feel at home. I could have given it a 5 star but at peak times or more than 70% occupancy I feel the waiters are overloaded and they do take time to receive an order especially if it is a refill or a second round of orders. The first round of orders is quick and fast.

LOCATION – 5 OUT 5

The Souq Waqif – On the main walkway that now leads to the Mushreib Downtown development. On the right side a few meters before you reach the underground walk to Mushreib downtown.

PRICING: 4 out of 5 (5 means cheapest while 1 means expensive)

I rate this place 4 (The wallet may be needed)

The Price is a quiet affordable and the food is pretty good for the price and service.

AMBIANCE: 3.5 OUT 5

Like most small food places in the Souq the seating is predominately outside and hence it can be task in the summer (due to the heat) and weekends (due to the crowd, privacy is almost nil). There is inside seating but then I haven’t seen many seating inside until or unless they are really hungry and the outside seats are full.

But I tell you once it is the winter, a Saturday lazy affordable brunch with a good shisha will be fab!

DECOR AND SEATING CAPACITY – 3.5 OUT 5

Nothing over the top. Simple décor. Seating is limited like all other places in the Souq but you can still a table for 5-7 people. Mind you in when all tables are filled, space to maneuver can be a little limited.

OVERALL RATING: 4 OUT OF 5

The best thing about the place is that, it is your feel good Arabic snack café that serves you the simple food that has dotted the culinary snack / small meal scene of Qatar. Plus, the fact that the Shisha they serve is good makes it a perfect family weekend lazy brunch or early dinner place.

I would say if you are in the Souq Waqif and not looking for anything fancy and yet want good food that doesn’t hurt you pocket. Saida is worth the visit.