Doha: Qatar Tourism has announced the restaurants awarded the prestigious 3-star rating, the highest distinction, at the inaugural Taste of Qatar Certification Ceremony. Held on December 14 at the Katara Opera House, the event honored establishments that demonstrated exceptional excellence across food quality, service, hygiene, and the overall guest experience.
According to Qatar News Agency, the program reinforces Qatar's commitment to elevating service standards nationwide, supporting the country's vision of delivering world-class hospitality experiences for both residents and visitors. Launched at the beginning of 2025, Taste of Qatar is Qatar Tourism's official restaurant evaluation and classification program, designed to foster excellence and innovation in the culinary sector while reinforcing Qatar's position as a global destination.
Restaurants are assessed through independent evaluations conducted by the international research firm Ipsos, with compliance verified against the Ministry of Public Health's electronic food safety system, Watheq. The event also recognized chefs who achieved the Taste of Qatar three-star classification and were featured in the MICHELIN Guide Doha 2025, in celebrating their contributions to elevating culinary experiences across the country.
Commenting on the ceremony, Omar Al Jaber, Chief of the Tourism Development Sector at Qatar Tourism, said: "Today marks an important milestone for Qatar's culinary sector as we recognise the first-ever Taste of Qatar 3-star certified restaurants whose dedication to innovation, consistency, and elevating the overall dining experience sets a new benchmark for the nation's culinary scene.
"Taste of Qatar is now the nation's official restaurant rating program, and its independently verified assessments reflect our commitment to elevating the entire dining ecosystem. By showcasing excellence across our culinary landscape, we continue to strengthen Qatar's position as a destination defined by quality and world-class visitor experiences."
Bahaa Barakat, Managing Director of Ipsos in Qatar, commented: "The credibility of the Taste of Qatar program is rooted in its objectivity and rigorous methodology. Our quarterly unannounced mystery assessments are designed to evaluate restaurants with consistency, transparency, and precision, ensuring that every three-star rating is earned through sustained performance. Through data-driven insights, we continue to support improvements across Qatar's dining experiences and are proud to contribute to a program that brings measurable impact to the dining landscape."
Wasan Al Baker, Director of Food Safety at the Ministry of Public Health, stated: "Food safety and hygiene are essential components of Qatar's dining sector, and the Ministry of Public Health is committed to upholding national benchmarks that protect consumers and strengthen trust. Our role in ensuring electronic food safety through Watheq ensures that every Taste of Qatar certified restaurant meets the highest levels of safety, quality control, and regulatory alignment."