10 Best Arabic Sweets in Doha

The Arabian cuisine consists of some of the best sweet dishes and is often termed as Arabic sweets.
These delicacies with their mouth-watering taste can make anyone weak in their knees and crave for
them. Doha is the home to the best Arabian sweets which will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Here we have listed the 10 Best Arabic Sweets in Doha.

Kunafa

Kunafa is undoubtedly the most favorite dessert on the list. It is made from cheese and pastry, and
subsequent soaking it in sweet syrup along with pistachios toppings. It can be prepared in 3 different
forms: khishnah (with a rough exterior), na’ama (which is softer and finer), and muhayra (which is a
combination of both rough and soft texture). It is a Lebanese dish which originated during the Ottoman
Empire.

Mehlabiya

Mehlabiya is a traditional Arabic dessert which is mainly popular in Qatar. It is similar to a milk pudding
with thick layers. The sweet dish is prepared using creamy milk, rose water, and cardamom. Also, dry
fruits such as nuts and pistachios are added as toppings to enhance the taste of the dessert. This popular
delicacy is served in many variations depending on the vendor.

Bakhlava

Bakhlava is a delicious sweet dish which is prepared by making layers of pastry and then filling it with
chopped nuts. Finally, sweet syrup or honey is added to hold the pastry layers together. This delicacy is
crisp and has a flaky texture. Its origin is the Ottoman Empire in Turkey. Moreover, it is also widely
available in Central and Southwest Asia.

Esh asaraya

Esh asaraya, also known as Aish Al Saraya, is a famous Arabic dessert which literary means 'Bread of a
Royal Castle'. Basically, it is a sweet bread dish with cream and is similar to cheesecakes. The ingredients
used in the preparation of Esh asaraya include toasted bread, cream toppings, nuts, and syrup usually
containing rose water or orange water. It is mainly considered as a Qatari dish.

Qatayef

Qatayef is a delicious Arabic sweet dish is originated from the Levant region and Egypt and is mostly
prepared during the sacred month of Ramadan. It is made up of deep-fried pastry which is filled with
either cheese or a mixture of nuts (preferably pistachios), and finally being served with sweet syrup or
honey.

Basboussa

Basboussa, or otherwise known as Hareeseh, is a popular Middle Eastern sweet dish which looks similar
to a cake. Originated from Egypt, it is prepared using cooked semolina or farina. It is then soaked in
syrup, either plain syrup or consisting of orange flower water or rose water. Popularly, coconut is added
to the dish to supplement the taste. Sometimes, nuts (preferably walnuts) are used as toppings to the
dish.

Malban

Malban is a popular Middle Eastern sweet dish which is prepared from dried exotic fruit paste and is
usually covered with nuts. It basically originated in Turkey, and first came in Qatar during Ottoman
Empire.

Luqaimat

Luqaimat is an Arabic sweet dish which is prepared by deep frying sweet dumplings in sugar syrup.
Traditionally, honey is also added to enhance the taste and look of the dish. It is mostly prepared during
special occasions such as Ramadan. This dish is similar to the very popular Indian sweet dish Gulab
Jamun.

Rez b Haleeb

The preparation of rice pudding as a dessert is extremely popular. One may find different forms of rice
pudding available in many cultures. Literally meaning ‘Rice in milk’, Rez b Haleeb is a sweet dish
prepared using rice and milk. Sometimes, it is also served with pistachios and other kinds of nuts to
make it crispy. It originated from Lebanon and is similar to kheer served in India.

Umm Ali

Umm Ali is a very famous Egyptian dessert which is similar to bread pudding prepared in North America.
Considered as the sweetest Arabic dessert, this delicacy is prepared by over-drying bread and serving it
with toppings of milk, nuts, and raisins. It is a must try if you visit Qatar.

So, which of the sweet dishes you have already tasted and which ones are on your wish list, do let us
know. For your reference, we have also listed some of the best sweet shops in Doha.

1. Al Aker Sweets

Address: Salwa Rd, Doha, Qatar

Phone: +974 4411 3111

2. Al Nashama Sweets

Address: Al Doha Al Jadeeda St, Doha, Qatar

Phone: +974 4435 8634

3. Jabri Sweets and Restaurant

Address: B Ring Rd, Doha, Qatar

Phone: +974 4441 1109