Doha’s Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar consistently ranks among the world’s top airports and is a growing favorite among passengers. It’s not a bad place to be stuck at during a layover or flight delay, with plenty to see, eat, and do—from the lush 6,500-square-foot “Orchard” indoor tropical garden and world-class contemporary art collection, to a growing menu of regional dishes and delicacies.
In 2025 more than 56 million passengers passed through this architectural marvel with Qatar Airways or with the ever expanding list of regional and international carriers that now fly in and out of Doha. Driving this growth is the recent opening of two new concourses—D and E—adding an impressive 55,000 square feet (an increase of 20%) to the floor space.
With more than 60 retail and dining venues, this growth has given travelers even more choices for how to spend their time. While more sprawling than ever (be warned, the new D and E concourses can be a hike from the central security area, the airport is still a single, easily navigable terminal, complete with an indoor train to speed you to the further reaches.
This story has been updated with new information since its original publication date.
Lounge life
If you are fortunate to be traveling premium class on Qatar Airways, the award-winning lounges should be your first port of call. Al Safwa Lounge, reserved for first class passengers, is the pinnacle; the entrance to the hushed cavernous space is by a discrete elevator. This gets you to the spacious restaurant-style dining room where you can order Champagne and poached lobster, maki rolls from the sushi bar, and eggs Benedict for breakfast. Meanwhile, the Al Mourjan South Lounge for business class ticket holders has a casual café-style space turning out freshly made toasted sandwiches, an upstairs á la carte restaurant, and a buffet of international and Arabic dishes. If your departure gate is further afield, take the airport train to the second business class lounge, the lush 7,950-square-foot Al Mourjan The Garden. Here, there is also a sushi bar, a patisserie worthy of a Parisian sojourn, a cafe, and a buffet (and a la carte) with a revolving variety of regional and international options. Sink into the comfy chairs facing the Orchard or head to the Louis Vuitton Lounge located inside for Arabic coffee and decadent desserts. Not flying premium or jetting out on another airline? You can pay to access the Al Maha Lounges, there are now three across the airport, offering a comfortable space and refreshments.
Qatari flavors
You may just be passing through Doha, but you can still grab a taste of Qatar’s unique cuisine thanks to HIA’s commitment to promote Qatari culture and traditions. The newly opened Daily Chef Noof on Concourse A, is helmed by famed Qatari chef Noof Al Marri and offers a taste of the peninsula’s hospitality. Sample Qatari favorites like the comforting chicken madrouba (which translates to beaten rice); hearty machboos with locally caught hamour (baked fish and rice), and oven-fresh spinach stuffed pastries. At Baladna Express you can try a freshly grilled shawarma—juicy spiced slices of chicken wrapped in fresh bread with pickles and a garlicky sauce (many of the products used here, including the cheese, are grown and made in Qatar). Also located along Concourse C is Evergreen Organics—a branch of Qatar’s first plant-based café. The cold pressed juices and the turmeric oat lattes are perfect fuel for your flight, and if you have more time, the avocado and tomato toast with a sprinkle of cashew cheese is a savory delight.
Gifts to go
Carry a taste of Qatar back home with you. Also located in the Souq Al Matar, which is a replica of a traditional Qatari market, is Dukkan. This quirky spot, designed to look like a neighborhood shop, sells some of Qatar’s favorite snacks, like packets of crunchy salty Pafki chips and Jellopy fruit gums. Nearby is Fwala, a Qatari dialect word for a dessert assortment served to guests. This spot stocks sweets like halwa, a kind of nutty fudge, as well as dates and spices sold packed and ready-to-go, perfect for travel gifts.
Café culture
Qatar is a country of coffee lovers and there is a growing selection of cafes on offer at HIA. Local pioneer of this lively café scene Flat White Specialty Coffee has opened a branch on Concourse C. Grab one of their much-loved Spanish Lattes (coffee with condensed milk); or linger over one of their creative sandwiches or sweet treats. Joining them is Le Petit Camion, another Qatari brand, serving up coffee and snacks on Concourse D with their distinctive buttery yellow backdrop. Meanwhile Le Petit Belge on Concourse A, allows you to indulge in gastropub-style moule frites, waffles and more between flights. And, Ralph’s Coffee is also a stylish pre-flight pit stop, with the usual coffee and sweet snack offering as well as packs of take-home roasted beans.
Luxury indulgences
If your travel plans aren’t taking you to London on this trip, you can still sample one of the UK capital’s most iconic dining experiences: afternoon tea at Harrods. But, in Doha. Located just to the left of the Lamp Bear, the Harrod’s Tea Room comes complete with scones, green jacketed attendants, and of course, pots of tea curated by their in-house “Tea Tailor.” For those early flights, breakfast is served from 4 a.m. to a leisurely 11 a.m. and features no less than six kinds of egg dishes alongside pastries. All day dining of course includes the famed afternoon tea—which arrives in a three-tiered stand, with dainty sandwiches, fluffy scones with strawberry jam, and the silky Devonshire cream.
