Best Food and Restaurants in Banana Island Resort Qatar: Quick Overview
If you are planning a day trip to this luxury island off Doha or a longer stay, the best food and restaurants in Banana Island Resort Qatar centre around four main venues: Al Nahham (Arabian & seafood), Azraq (buffet & international), Ted’s American Diner, and Q Lounge & Restaurant, plus pool and beach snack bars.
For Singapore-based travellers and investors using Homejourney, understanding the dining scene helps you plan realistic budgets, compare lifestyle quality with Singapore’s top waterfront districts, and decide if this island resort in Qatar fits your long‑term travel or property goals.
How This Food Guide Fits Homejourney’s Travel & Property Pillar
This article is a focused cluster guide supporting Homejourney’s broader international travel and lifestyle pillar (see: Banana Island Resort Qatar Complete Guide (2025) | Homejourney Banana Island Resort Qatar Complete Guide (2025) | Homejourney ).
Where the main pillar covers ferries, rooms, and activities, this cluster dives deep into food, restaurants, prices, and practical tips on Banana Island, with comparisons to Singapore’s dining norms so you can plan safely and avoid overspending.
Destination & Dining Overview: What to Expect on Banana Island
Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara is a dry luxury island resort about 25 minutes by boat from central Doha, meaning no alcohol is served; expect a wide range of mocktails instead.[1] This makes it attractive for families and travellers who prioritise a safe, calm environment over nightlife.
The resort’s restaurants are consistently rated highly on traveller review platforms, with Al Nahham, Azraq, Ted’s American Diner, and Q Lounge & Restaurant all frequently appearing near the top for the area.[1][2] You should budget at a similar or slightly higher level than a mid‑range to upscale hotel restaurant in Marina Bay or Sentosa Cove.
From Singapore, most visitors connect via Doha’s Hamad International Airport, then transfer to the resort’s private marina. For Singaporeans used to Changi–Sentosa day trips, think of this as a more exclusive, reservation‑driven version with fewer but more curated dining options.
Key Restaurants on Banana Island: Where to Eat & What to Order
1. Al Nahham Restaurant – Signature Lebanese & Seafood with Doha Skyline Views
Best for: Sunset dinners, special occasions, couples or families wanting a classic "Doha resort" experience with panoramic city views.
Al Nahham is repeatedly highlighted by guests as one of the standout venues on Banana Island, known for Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes alongside grilled seafood and mixed grills.[1][2]
Typical highlights (based on recent guest reviews):[1][2]
- Mixed grill platters and kebabs (good for sharing, like a Middle Eastern version of a large zi char platter).
- Fresh seafood (sea bass, prawns, and mixed seafood grills).
- Traditional mezze – hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh – similar to what you may know from Arab Street in Singapore, but with more local Gulf twists.
Insider tip from a Singapore perspective: Portions lean large, similar to American‑style serving sizes noted by guests.[1] If you are used to sharing plates at Tanjong Pagar or Holland Village, order 1–2 mains fewer than you think for a table of four to avoid wastage.
2. Azraq – All‑Day Buffet & International Dining Hub
Best for: Breakfast, families with young children, guests who prefer variety and predictable options.
Azraq is the main restaurant where most guests take their breakfast buffet and often lunch or dinner.[1] Reviews highlight a wide spread with international items, including Indian‑influenced dishes, Western breakfast favourites, and lighter options.[1][2]
- Breakfast: Expect a spread comparable to a good 5‑star hotel in Orchard or Marina Bay – eggs station, pastries, local Arabic breads, cereals, fruit, and South Asian items.
- Lunch/Dinner: Rotating themes; travellers have noted a noticeable Indian influence in some meal periods.[1]
If you’re travelling with kids used to Singapore school canteen food, Azraq is the safest bet: there is usually something familiar (pasta, grilled items, simple rice dishes) each meal.
3. Ted’s American Diner – Retro Comfort Food
Best for: Casual meals, teenagers, and anyone craving Western comfort food (burgers, milkshakes) after spicy or rich meals.
Ted’s is styled like a retro American diner and is often mentioned positively by guests for its atmosphere and hearty dishes.[1][2] Think of it as the Banana Island equivalent of a casual joint in Jewel or VivoCity, but with resort pricing.
- Signature large burgers – one review even mentioned a "1kg burger challenge" as part of the experience.[1]
- Milkshakes, fries, and classic American mains.
If you are planning a day trip from Doha, many families time Ted’s as their final meal before taking the last boat back, similar to grabbing a last meal at Sentosa before the monorail.
4. Q Lounge & Restaurant – Poolside & Indian‑Influenced Specials
Best for: Relaxed poolside meals, mocktails, and Indian‑influenced dishes.
Q Lounge appears in numerous reviews as a scenic waterfront venue serving seafood and international dishes, and some travellers specifically mention its biryani and Indian dishes as highlights.[1][2] As at any resort, quality can vary by day; a few guests noted some items (like burgers) were less impressive than others.[1]
For Singaporeans accustomed to Little India standards, the biryani and curries are often considered resort‑good rather than specialist‑restaurant‑good, but the main draw is the setting: lounging by the pool or overlooking the sea with a mocktail.
5. Lagoon Pool Bar & Tanzerin Beach Grill – Light Bites & Mocktails
The resort has a dedicated Lagoon Pool Bar and Tanzerin Beach Grill for pool and beach snacks.[1] Because Banana Island is a "dry" property, these serve mocktails and soft drinks rather than alcohol.[1]
- Expect snacks like burgers, fries, finger food, and grilled items.
- Safe for families – no bar culture, but a wide range of non‑alcoholic beverages.
Compared to Singapore’s Siloso Beach or East Coast Park bars, the atmosphere is quieter and more family‑oriented, with staff often highlighted for attentive service.[1]
Price Levels, Budgeting & Practical Tips (Especially for Singapore Travellers)
While exact menus and prices change, Banana Island generally prices meals at upper mid‑range to luxury resort levels, similar to dining at a 5‑star property in Marina Bay, Sentosa Cove, or Raffles Place.
- Breakfast: Often included in room packages at Azraq; if purchased separately, budget similarly to a hotel buffet in Singapore.
- Lunch/Dinner: A main course at Al Nahham or Q Lounge can feel like a premium restaurant in Orchard Road; sharing platters or seafood will push the bill up.
- Day trip vs overnight: Day‑trippers from Doha should pre‑book packages that include meal credits as this usually works out cheaper than paying fully à la carte.
Insider budgeting tip: Think of a family of four spending roughly what you might pay for a full‑service meal at a Sentosa resort hotel restaurant – not hawker centre prices, but not Michelin‑star fine dining either.
How Dining Fits into Your Banana Island Itinerary
Because Banana Island is a self‑contained Doha resort on a private luxury island, planning mealtimes is essential. Unlike Singapore, where you can walk 5 minutes from any condo to a kopitiam or mall, here you are essentially tied to resort outlets.
- Day trip Doha visitors: Aim for one main meal (lunch or early dinner) plus a snack/coffee. Reserve Al Nahham for a memorable meal and use pool or beach bars for lighter bites.
- Weekend stay: Alternate Azraq for breakfast and one main restaurant (Al Nahham, Ted’s, or Q Lounge) per day to keep costs predictable.
- Longer stays: Rotate across the four main outlets to avoid menu fatigue, similar to how Singaporeans rotate between nearby malls and hawker centres when staying in Sentosa for several nights.
