If you love food, January 2026 was a great time to be in Qatar. The Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) returned for its 15th edition, bigger and better than ever. From January 14 to 24, the iconic Stadium 974 was transformed into a buzzing food paradise, and the best part? Entry was completely free for everyone.
More People Than Ever Before
Put together by Visit Qatar, this special 15th edition truly made history. Nearly half a million people showed up, that’s a 36% jump from the year before. Qatari nationals made up the biggest group of visitors at 22.1%, and about one in three people liked it so much they came back more than once.
Food From Every Corner of the World
There was truly something for everyone. The festival featured over 40 international brands across more than 100 food stalls, plus nearly 30 restaurants and cafés where you could sit down and enjoy a meal. The space was split into fun themed areas, like the Doha District, the Latin American Food District, the Healthy District, and the Coffee Shops & Pastries District. On top of that, 200 local vendors and 46 international vendors set up shop, with international participation growing by 43% compared to last year.
The Highlights You Didn’t Want to Miss
Some of the most talked-about spots included the MICHELIN Guide Village, the QIFF Ring, and QIFF Juniors, a dedicated space for younger visitors. The Cooking Studio was also a hit, hosting live masterclasses and cooking demos led by well-known local and international chefs. And for something truly special, Steve Harvey put together an “Open Fire Food Festival” on January 16 and 17, where world-famous American pitmasters showed off their live-fire cooking skills in front of a live crowd.
Nights to Remember
The fun didn’t stop at the food. Every night, the waterfront came alive with stunning drone shows and paramotor fireworks that lit up the sky. This year also saw the launch of the QIFF Awards, a brand-new way to celebrate the best of the festival. Hookies Cookies took home the Longest Line award (clearly a crowd favourite!), Ibis Doha was named Favourite Local Vendor, and Taco King walked away as Favourite Chef.
QIFF 2026 was more than just a food festival, it was a celebration of culture, community, and the simple joy of great food. One thing is for sure: if this year was anything to go by, next year’s edition is going to be even harder to miss.
Statistics At-A-Glance
490,493
Total Visitors
+36%
Attendance Growth
10 Days
Festival Duration
15th
Edition
246+
Total Vendors
46
Intl. Vendors
50+
Chefs Featured
32%
Repeat Visitors
Visitors Demographics
| Visitor Segment | Footfalls | Insights |
| Qatari Nationals | 22.1% | Highest Single-Group Attendance |
| Expatriate Residents | 67.9% | Core Audience Base |
| International Tourists | 10% | Reflects Qatar’s Tourism Growth |
| Repeat Visitors | 32% | High Audience Loyalty |
Vendor & Culinary
| Category | Count | Change vs Prior Year |
| Local Vendors | 200 | Highest Single-Group Attendance |
| International Vendors | 46 | 43% Increase |
| Total Kiosks & Stalls | 100+ | Across 5 Food Districts |
| Restuarants & Cafes | 30 | Full-Service Dining Options |
| International Brands | 40+ | Global Culinary Reach |
| Chefs (Local & International) | 50+ | Demos, Masterclass & Dining |
Food Districts
QIFF 2026 was organised into five themed food districts offering curated culinary experiences:
- Doha District: Showcasing Qatar’s finest local culinary talent and traditional flavours.
- Latin American Food District: A first-of-its-kind themed zone, integrated with the Qatar–Canada–Mexico Year of Culture
- Healthy District: Wellness-focused food options and nutrition-conscious menus
- Coffee Shops & Pastries District: Artisan coffee, desserts, and bakery concepts
- The Market: A curated mix of specialty vendors and artisan food producers
Signature Attractions
| Attraction | Description |
| MICHELIN Guide Village | Dedicated zone featuring MICHELIN-recognised restaurants and dining experiences |
| The Cooking Studio | Live masterclasses and interactive cooking demonstrations by acclaimed chefs |
| QIFF Ring | Competitive culinary challenges, including watermelon-eating and cupcake-decorating contests |
| QIFF Juniors | Family-friendly cooking workshops, junior chef competitions, and educational activities for children |
| Dinner in the Sky | Suspended dining at 40 metres above Doha’s skyline with panoramic waterfront views |
| Open Fire Food Festival | Special event (Jan 16–17) curated by Steve Harvey, featuring US pitmasters and live-fire cooking demonstrations |
| Drone & Fireworks Shows | Nightly entertainment: illuminated drone formations and paramotor fireworks over the Doha waterfront |
Qatar–Canada–Mexico Year of Culture 2026
QIFF 2026 served as the opening major event of the Qatar–Canada–Mexico Year of Culture, a landmark bilateral cultural programme. The festival incorporated celebrated chefs from both Mexico, including Lupita Vidal and Esdras Ochoa, and Canada, including Christian Gosselin, Eric Chong, and Andy Hay, who joined Qatar’s culinary community for live cooking experiences and cultural showcases.
This integration reinforced Qatar’s positioning as a global nexus for cultural exchange through gastronomy, using food as a universal language to connect heritage, innovation, and community across three nations.
QIFF Awards (Inaugural Edition)
For the first time in the festival’s 15-year history, the QIFF Awards were introduced to recognise outstanding participants:
- Longest Line Award: Hookies Cookies
- Favourite Local Vendor: Ibis Doha
- Favourite International Vendor: 99 Grill
- Favourite Chef: Taco King
- Honorary Award: Shakarji (for contribution to Qatar’s culinary scene)
The Qatar International Food Festival is far more than a food event; it is a strategic cultural and economic platform. With record-breaking attendance, world-class experiences, and increasing global participation, QIFF has firmly established itself as one of the Middle East’s largest and most dynamic food festivals
As it continues to scale, innovate, and attract global audiences, QIFF is set to play a central role in shaping Qatar’s identity as a world-class destination for food, culture, and experiential tourism.
Source: Visit Qatar/Qatar Tourism
