Qatar International Food Festival 2025 concludes with record-breaking number of visitors
The 14th edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) has successfully concluded, attracting more than 365,000 visitors over the course of 11 days. Organised by Visit Qatar, the festival transformed Hotel Park into a vibrant culinary and entertainment hub, delivering a unique gastronomic experience to locals, residents and visitors. A total of 180 vendors participated this year, showcasing Qatar’s rich gastronomic scene, while more than 28 international vendors brought global flavours to the festival, creating a unique fusion of tastes and experiences. For the first time this year, QIFF featured a Michelin Guide Village where guests indulged in exclusive creations from nine Michelin-starred restaurants from around the world. Meanwhile, QIFF Junior, another brand-new activation this year, engaged over 5,000 children, further enhancing the festival’s dynamic atmosphere and reaffirming its position as a premier family-friendly event. This year also featured the debut of QIFF Ring, where visitors participated in lively food competitions, from eating challenges to juice-making and decorating contests. The QIFF Ring hosting 36 competitions, drawing 360 competitors, and awarding over 500 winners, including audience members, with a total of 5,400 attendees. QIFF 2025 also included a Cooking Studio, which hosted interactive workshops led by renowned local and international chefs. In addition, nine renowned chefs hosted exclusive Chef’s Table experiences for over 70 guests in total. Further elevating the festive experience, Dinner in the Sky offered visitors a unique culinary experience, combining gourmet dining with breathtaking views of Doha from 50 metres above ground. Ahmed Hamad Al Binali, Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, from Visit Qatar commented: “QIFF 2025 has been a resounding success, welcoming more than 365,000 visitors, reaffirming Qatar’s position as a premier culinary and cultural destination. As one of Qatar’s longest-running festivals, QIFF continues to grow each year, introducing new experiences, engaging programming, and innovative themes that captivate both residents and visitors. The festival not only celebrates culinary excellence but also fosters meaningful connections among communities. We extend our appreciation to all visitors, chefs, and partners whose contributions made this edition truly remarkable, and we remain committed to further enhancing Qatar’s events and entertainment offering on a global stage.” Spanning several districts, the festival showcased Qatar’s culinary diversity, from traditional street food to fine dining at Flavours within Qatar. Other districts showcased Latin American specialities and global gourmet delights. The Healthy Corner district highlighted sustainable cuisine, while the Coffee & Bakeries district delighted visitors with artisanal brews and sweet treats. Lastly, the QIFF VIP Area provided an exclusive dining experience. Each year, Visit Qatar partners with Hifz Alnaema Center as part of its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. This collaboration saw the centre collect and package surplus food every evening, distributing parcels to those in need. With record-breaking attendance and a dynamic showcase of food, culture, and entertainment, QIFF 2025 has solidified its status as a flagship event on Qatar’s annual calendar. From captivating musical concerts on the main stage and engaging activities for all ages, QIFF 2025 delivered an immersive celebration of Qatar’s rich culinary and cultural landscape.
Five must-try experiences at QIFF 2025
Qatar’s most exciting food festival presents new attractions and unforgettable culinary experiences. The Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) opens daily from 16:00 to 23:00 on weekdays and 15:00 to 00:00 on weekends until February 22, offering plenty to explore, savour, and enjoy. QIFF Ring New to QIFF 2025, the QIFF Ring offers visitors an exciting arena to compete and take on thrilling culinary challenges. From showcasing creativity in the ‘Cake Decoration Competition’ to family fun with a father-son ‘Juice Making Competition’ or taking on the classic ‘Burger Eating Challenge’, visitors can participate in a variety of exciting culinary challenges. The QIFF Ring promises an unforgettable experience for foodies to compete and win valuable prizes. Participants can register on www.qiffring.com The Cooking Studio Step into The Cooking Studio and witness 40 world-class chefs in action as they showcase their skills, share exclusive recipes, and bring the latest food trends to life. This interactive experience features live cooking demos, masterclasses, interviews, and hands-on workshops led by renowned local and international chefs. From Qatari delicacies to global flavours, the studio’s themed sessions this year include Spice It Up, Sweet Escape, EcoBites, Flame On! Grain Fiesta, Grow & Glow, Greet & Meat, Organic Scene. Upcoming International chefs taking part in the Cooking Studio include, Benjamin Nast, Surender Mohan, Fabrice Rosso, Nicolas Garate, and Karim Bourgi. Upcoming local chefs include Aisha Al Tamimi, Noof Al Marri, Mohamed Kamal and more. Michelin Guide Village The Michelin Guide Village, a highlight of QIFF 2025, brings world-class dining to the festival with nine Michelin-rated restaurants offering curated tasting menus at affordable prices. This exclusive experience gives visitors the chance to enjoy culinary excellence from renowned Michelin-starred establishments, including ARAYA, Aramburu, Talea by Antonio Guida, Trèsind Studio, Restaurant À L’aise, CTC Urban Gastronomy, R.HAAN, Molino de Urdániz, and LASAI Restaurante. Dinner in the Sky A fan-favourite experience, Dinner in the Sky makes its highly anticipated return to QIFF 2025, offering guests the chance to enjoy a gourmet meal 40 meters above the ground. Curated by talented chefs from Rixos Gulf Hotel, the experience combines exquisite dining with breathtaking panoramic views of the West Bay skyline. Visitors can choose from several curated expereinces throughout the day starting from 15:00 to 22:30 for a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure. These include High Tea, Twilight Flights, Dinner in the Sky, and the Moonlight Flight. To book your reservation visit, https://doha.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/dinner-in-the-sky-qatar. QIFF Juniors Zone A new addition to QIFF 2025, QIFF Juniors is a dedicated children’s zone offering fun activities and interactive experiences. This space features a lineup of family-friendly entertainment, including live performances, interactive educational shows that blend learning with fun, as well as clown acts and mesmerizing magic shows to captivate young audiences. Children can also enjoy endless activities like Mizo & Miza and gymnastics preformances. Additionally, the zone offers interactive stations where kids can explore their creativity. Visitors can park at DECC and access Hotel Park via the designated tunnel or metro users can take a short walk from DECC Metro Station. For the daily event schedule and updates, visit @qiff.qa on Instagram.
Qatar International Food Festival 2025 kicks off with an unforgettable culinary showcase
Visit Qatar inaugurates the 14th edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) with a grand opening ceremony at Hotel Park today, kicking off a ten-day long celebration of gastronomy and entertainment. The festival will feature over 100 local vendors, 27 international restaurants and cafes, and plenty of entertainment shows. QIFF 2025 is set to be the largest and most exciting edition to date. The festival promises an unparalleled culinary experience, showcasing global and local flavours, while also reflecting Qatar’s vision to strengthen its position as a leading destination for cultural exchange and tourism. During his opening remarks, Eng. Abdulaziz Al-Mawlawi, CEO of Visit Qatar, said, emphasised QIFF’s significance in positioning Qatar as a premier global destination for gastronomy and hospitality. He said: “The Qatar International Food Festival has evolved into a global platform that celebrates culinary excellence while reflecting Qatar’s rich cultural diversity and commitment to innovation. Its continued success underscores the pivotal role of the hospitality and dining sectors in advancing Qatar’s tourism landscape, serving as a key driver in delivering world-class experiences to visitors and residents alike.” Among the highlights of this year’s festival is the experience of the epitome of culinary excellence at the Michelin Guide Village, where you can savour exclusive creations from some of the world’s finest Michelin-star chefs. QIFF Ring, which is a competition Arena, where visitors will witness chefs cook and compete on centre stage. In addition, a Cooking Studio will welcome renowned chefs from both Qatar and abroad, hosting interactive workshops and cooking classes. For those seeking a truly unique experience, Dinner in the Sky offers an exhilarating dining adventure suspended 50 meters above the ground, providing guests with stunning views of the entire festival and the Doha skyline. This year’s festival expansive location is divided into immersive districts, each offering unique dining experiences and interactive activities. The Flavours within Qatar section celebrates Qatar’s rich culinary landscape and showcases both traditional street food and fine dining, while the Latin Food District offers authentic dishes such as tacos, empanadas, and ceviche, providing a taste of Latin America. The International Flavours District brings together global street food and gourmet flavours, while the Healthy Corner focuses on plant-based and sustainable cuisine. The Coffee & Bakeries Corner serves as a haven for coffee and dessert enthusiasts, offering artisanal coffee and a wide range of sweet treats. The QIFF VIP Area provides an exclusive, luxurious dining experience with gourmet food, personalised service, and top-tier decor, offering a refined atmosphere for guests seeking a premium experience. Families are also invited to enjoy daily movie screenings, kids’ workshops within QIFF Juniors, and other engaging outdoor activities, ensuring entertainment for visitors of all ages. QIFF 2025 runs until February 22nd, offering visitors an unmissable chance to indulge in the world’s finest flavours, explore new culinary trends, and enjoy the dynamic atmosphere that has become synonymous with this signature event. Visitors attending QIFF are advised to park at the DECC parking facility and access Hotel Park via the designated tunnel. Alternatively, those using the DECC Metro Station can reach Hotel Park with a short walk. For more information and updates, visit https://visitqatar.com/intl-en/events-calendar/qatar-international-food-festival follow @qiff.qa on social media.
