Danat Al Bahar BBQ Fish - Souq Al Wakrah, Al Wakrah

Cuisine: BBQ Seafood

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 4.5 OUT OF 5.

Item 1 – Appetizer / Starter

Well to be frank there is no such thing as an Appetizer / Starter but then if you are a true 3 course meal fan, I suggest you order the Prawns.

There is two versions, the deep fried version and the Grilled Version. The Grilled version is the one to go for, feisty tandoorish flavor!

Deep Fried Prawns

Grilled Prawns

Item 2 – Main Course FISH BBQ / FRY

Well this is their main item and the only item in their menu because the rest of the things other than the appetizer / starter are accompaniments for the main course. I will be rating the accompaniments separately in the ITEM 3 to 5

Now to order the main course, all you have to do is the following

STEP 1: Walk upto the fresh fish counter near the cashier

STEP 2: Select you preferred fish

STEP 3: Walk back to your table and wait for the food.

The butterfly cut fish mixed with their special spice is just brilliant. HANDS DOWN one of the best Fish BBQ you can have in Doha.

There is a lot of fish to select from in the fresh fish counter but these are the ones my fellow foodies as well as myself consider worth the try

·         Sea bass

·         Sea Bream

·         Snapper

·         Hamour

·         King Fish

Grilled Seabass

Almost all the fish you select is within the 600 grams to 900 grams serving. So I say one fish is good for 2 foodies or 3 regular people. If you are family of 2 Adults and 2 kids (above 10) order 2 Fish and one Appetizer.

Item 3 – Side Dishes / accompaniments – Rice

Just have a go at it. It is just brilliant. A tinge of Arabic nostalgia creeps in especially if you one of those old school (1980-90s) generation of the Kabsa and Bukhari era.

One plate of rice is a default accompaniment with your fish. I think they charge 5 riyals for it but who cares, one plate of rice is good for a family of 4!

Item 4 – Side Dishes / accompaniments – Danat Chutney

This Chutney like the rice is a default accompaniment with your fish. I am not sure they charge for it but again who cares for this Chutney is a MUST. There has been even times when I just ate only the bread or rice with this chutney. It is that good.

Item 5 – Side Dishes / accompaniments – Bread

This is very Danat falls a little flat. They only serve normal Arabic bread (the ones we get in super packets in the pack of 5). They just re-heat it and serve.

Though, I am not overly fussed about it as the rice will balance the loss of the bread.

But Since they are buying the packet Arabic bread, I was wondering if they could also adding the pre-made packet chappatis or saj bread into the bread list. I am sure it will make some more faces happier.

Item 6 – Desserts and Beverages

uh? Pepsi anyone?

I strongly suggest we walk to the beach at the back of the souq that after a sumptuous meal in this place and have a go at a kunafa from Al Aker to ensure a super meal day.

SERVICE – 5 OUT OF 5

This place is more jam-packed than the Rush Hour of Corniche and the pace is hectic but their service staff and the owner(s) who are usually on the restaurant floor really value the customers.

Even when at times the waiting time of the table is around 30 minutes to 1 hours, they keep note of your phone number and also take you orders beforehand to ensure that you do get your fish in case they are out of stock by the time you plan to order after getting the table.

LOCATION – 5 OUT 5

Souq Wakra is in itself a landmark and to top it off this is just near to the parking lot. So unlike all the other restaurants in Wakra Souq you don’t need to walk all the way to the beach.

Easiest landmark for this place is the Fish Market / Vegetable Market building which is just next to this restaurant.

Once you are near Fish Market / Vegetable Market, there is ample sign board of the Restaurant to guide you there.

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

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

The generous portion size, good quantity and the wonderful taste.

AMBIANCE: 4 OUT 5

It is an open courtyard. You feel like having a picnic meal.

I must say though when it gets crowded the ambiance is more of traffic jam but then that is what all MUST –EAT places in the world is.

Best time to go is weekdays between 7 and 10 or if the weekends make it after 10PM they are usually open till 2 but mind you they do run out of some fish varieties by 11 on weekends.

The toilets needed to be upgraded / maintained especially during rush hours / weekend.

DECOR AND SEATING CAPACITY – 4.5 OUT 5

The décor is very casual long bench/chairs with tables. The seating capacity is no issue at all.

You can bring in a whole rugby team, cricket team and Sunday baseball kids league teams and yet have some chairs remaining!!

OVERALL RATING: 4.5 OUT OF 5.

DANAT AL BAHAR just came into the Doha Food scene a little more than a year ago but this place has taken the food scene by storm. If Turkey Central is the undisputed and all time reigning champion of BBQ meat & chicken, then DANAT AL BAHAR is currently all set to become the undisputed and all time reigning champion of BBQ Seafood.

At a time when Doha Food is bustling with boutique / high-end / leading foodchain restaurants. This little restaurant in Wakra is a heartwarming tribute to the old school doha’s hole-in-the-way, cheap but delicious eateries.