A Taste of Home

OHLALA’s Lindsey Steenkamp heads out for a breakfast like no other at the beautifully designed Smat.

When the name of your restaurant translates to ‘dining table’ in the Khaleeji dialect of Arabic, the pressure is on – but Smat is up to the task. Serving as another one of Chef Fawaz Al Omaim’s culinary playgrounds, this everpopular venue is mostly frequented by locals and always fully booked. The spacious layout boasts elaborate interiors whilst emitting a clean and calm ambience. We are welcomed with Arabic coffee and meet the wonderful restaurant manager, Adham Al Rayes.

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning and we are eager to discover another breakfast gem since they are few and far between in Qatar. We are told that the experts at Smat were inspired to create an eclectic, modernised version of Qatari and Khaleeji cuisine – they interpret the term ‘eclectic’ as shifting a plate from traditional origins to a modern-day rendition. We are served an array of dishes, and each looks more like a work of art with its own story to tell.

The Shakshuka is a completely different and unexpected twist of the traditional version, presented inside the eggplant itself and accompanied by the couscous salad and signature Smat sauce. If you ever thought that having pasta for breakfast was a strange idea, think again. The Luh Al Saed is a linguini omelette with cherry tomatoes, avocado foam, and an alfredo-saffron sauce that is out of this world. It’s also presented to look like the Loh Al Saad jewellery that brides wear on their wedding day. Meanwhile, another plate with a variety of dips is designed to look like a local boardgame called Dama.

Everything is so elegantly presented, and we are spoilt with every taste and texture that lands our way. We completely fall in love with the Nirat that entails crispy dumpling dough stuffed with cheese, lemon zest, and a mix of lentils, beans, and Qatari spices. Not only are they crafted to look like mini money bags, but they’re also totally adorable. The selection feels seemingly endless, and we’re pleased to see how many vegetarian options are on the menu. Oh, and if you – like us – love a sweet-salty combination, Smat is a must-try. Hisabi, for example, is a trio of feta cheese balls that have been breaded with pistachio, pomegranate, and crushed Qatar Pafki chips – a completely ingenious appetiser!

Our breakfast spread does not end here. To finish, we are presented with dessert! We find it different but delightful, and the combination makes sense with the last coffee before you start your day. With eight breakfast dessert delights to choose from, our favourite is easily the Rayyan Roll, a Swiss roll stuffed with vanilla cream and soaked in brightpink rose milk. It feels like biting into a cloud and literally melts in your mouth!

Smat serves breakfast from 8 am till 11:40 am every day. It’s also very popular for lunch and dinner, and we recommend that you book (well) ahead to avoid disappointment. This is the only restaurant in the world that owns its own dancing fountain and, at night, has its very own show for patrons to enjoy.

It’s time to get going and, upon leaving, we’re given the opportunity to write a personal review to attach on a special board in the restaurant. With so much passion and detail in every aspect of this restaurant experience, we recommend taking your out-of-town guests to Smat for a truly unique Arabic meal.

SMAT IS LOCATED JUST OFF THE CORNICHE IN THE ORIENT PEARL COMPLEX BESIDE SALATA PARK IN DOHA.

Call 4410 6666 for reservations and more information.

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