Enjoy the Rewards of Gourmet Dining in the UAE and Qatar

Hotel stays aren’t the only way to earn Marriott Bonvoy loyalty points: in the UAE and Qatar, you can boost your balance when you dine, too. Whether it's your morning cappuccino or a candlelit dinner on the beach, you can earn points – 5 for every eligible 1 USD spent – and also redeem them at participating venues in UAE and Qatar as a Marriott Bonvoy member. Wondering how to take advantage? Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor to the region, here's the way to do it.

From Persian delights to Asian feasts, dine differently in Doha

Parisa at Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel (Photo: Marriott International)

Souq Waqif is Doha’s epicurean epicentre, a traditional marketplace where the air dances with scents of saffron, shisha and incense. Try Qatari delicacies such as plump medjool dates and cardamom-rich gahwa coffee, before delving deeper into the region’s cuisine at Parisa, in Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, just an eight- to ten-minute taxi ride away. Inspired by the delicacies of Arabia and Persia, its dishes range from watermelon and pomegranate salad to slow-cooked lamb shanks with dill rice. Or turn your appetite eastward with dinner at Jamavar Doha, the haute-Indian, marble-clad lounge restaurant at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel – also nearby.

Nowhere encapsulates past-and-present Doha quite like the Corniche, where old-style dhow boats bob in the harbour against a backdrop of West Bay’s soaring skyscrapers. Here, you’ll find the fascinating Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum of Qatar – so fuel a day’s sightseeing with coffee and baklava at La Maison Martinez in JW Marriott Marquis City Center Doha, an elegant Parisian-style patisserie. Later, head up to the hotel’s 43rd floor for a decadent supper at Shanghai Club, with 360° views of the Corniche. Crystal chandeliers and Zen-inspired décor set the scene for a Pan-Asian feast: think lobster sushi, sashimi and miso-glazed cod. 

If you're looking for somewhere to round off your night, try W Doha’s Coya, where South America infuses everything from its playlist to the tapas-style bites: order a pineapple-sweet Purple Rain mocktail and hit the dancefloor.

There’s much to savour in Doha’s newest neighbourhoods, too. Spend a day discovering Katara Cultural Village’s galleries and chai cafés, then gaze out over the city from the chic terrace of Hakkasan Doha at The St. Regis Doha. Or admire Lusail’s skyscrapers – including the crescent-shaped Katara Towers – from Le Royal Méridien Doha. Its Italian restaurant, ADRIFT Anda by David Myers, is helmed by the eponymous celebrity chef, who elevates Italian favourites to Doha’s insatiable heights: think truffle girasoli, and seabass with Amalfi lemon.

Savour Abu Dhabi’s superb seafood and sky-high dining 

Catch at St. Regis Abu Dhabi (Photo: Marriott International)

The best way to get your bearings in the UAE’s capital is over dinner at Stratos Revolving Lounge Bar & Grill, on the 26th floor of Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi. From here, you can spy the white sands of Saadiyat Marine National Park, Downtown’s epic skyscrapers and the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, all while feasting on seafood platters and charcoal-grilled steak. 

On the Corniche, Catch at St. Regis has a seafood-forward menu including oysters from the sustainable Dibba Bay fishery and jumbo prawns fresh from the Gulf, all served in its beautiful light-flooded restaurant.

No trip to Abu Dhabi is complete without exploring the white-marble majesty of its Grand Mosque, before a leisurely lunch at Mijana at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, a five-minute taxi ride away. Its mezze menu includes garlic-spiked labneh and smoky baba ganoush: best enjoyed with homemade flatbreads, with a zesty fattoush salad on the side. In the afternoon, relax with Arabic coffee on the palm-shaded terrace of Brick at Aloft Abu Dhabi, which also serves an extensive vegan menu.

Saadiyat Island is one of Abu Dhabi's cultural hubs, home to Louvre Abu Dhabi and Manarat Al Saadiyat art gallery. Yas Island, meanwhile, is all about high-octane fun, where you can ride the world’s fastest rollercoaster and race supercars around Yas Marina Circuit – but it’s also a foodie hotspot, thanks to W Abu Dhabi’s Garage. This playful venue packs six culinary stations into one restaurant: from dim sum at Steam Table and Levantine grills at Mezza Bar, to Japanese-Peruvian ceviche and sushi at Nikkei House. On Saturdays, its B.I.G. Brunch blends street food with live DJ sets.

Discover hidden gems and Michelin stars in Dubai

City Social at Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai (Photo: Marriott International)

Dubai’s food scene unites the world’s best chefs and dining concepts, all in one dazzling city. Start in Dubai Marina, where beach relaxation, epic views and great restaurants go hand-in-hand. Here you can witness the mastery of Vineet Bhatia, the first Indian chef to receive a Michelin star, at Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa. Indya by Vineet is his street food-inspired spot, famous for its fiery samosa pinwheels and pomegranate-topped gulaabi puri chaat. A few minutes’ walk away, City Social occupies the 43rd floor of Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai, helmed by another celebrated chef, Jason Atherton. Gather your friends for premium steaks and sumptuous sharing lasagnes, before heading to the hotel’s marina-view Buddha-Bar for drinks and live music. 

If the Burj Khalifa is on your Dubai bucket list, book dinner at nearby BASTA!, the Italian restaurant at The St. Regis Downtown Dubai. Its menu ranges from wood-fired truffle pizza to 1kg Bistecca alla fiorentina, the famous Tuscan speciality. For more cuisine-with-a-view, look to JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, one of the world’s tallest hotels. It has 12 restaurants, including Rang Mahal, whose Indian dishes are unabashedly rich: think tandoori-spiced lamb leg and butter-poached lobster, overlooked by sumptuous Mughal-inspired murals. 

Dubai’s coastline is dotted with beaches – and they, in turn, feature a vast range of restaurants. Barasti at Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark is all about sharing platters and beverages until late. You can also enjoy the sea breeze at the Michelin-starred Torno Subito at W Dubai - The Palm, where sizzling calamari and Caprese salads are served amid colourful pop-artworks. It’s vibrant, playful and infused with la dolce vita – just like Dubai itself.

Published: October 07, 2024