Doha hosts Thai Restaurant Week 2025
Back-to-school fun, stage mysteries, gaming and more fill Doha's cultural calendar.
Welcome to Al-Monitor Doha.
Spicy Thai dishes, hands-on workshops, and the thrill of a theater mystery — this week offers a curious mix at every turn. Kids meet their favorite characters on stage, families dive into playful learning experiments, and tech and gaming enthusiasts get a taste of innovation firsthand.
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Reve
P.S. Have feedback or tips on Doha's culture scene? Send them my way at contactus@al-monitor.com.

1. Leading the week: Thai Restaurant Week 2025

A couple enjoys a refined dining experience at Al Sidr Restaurant, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som. (Photo courtesy of Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som)
Get ready to embark on a flavorful journey across Thailand without leaving Doha. The Royal Thai Embassy in Qatar presents Thai Restaurant Week 2025: A Thai Culinary Journey in Qatar, a vibrant 10-day celebration of Thai cuisine and cultural exchange.
Thirteen of Doha’s most-beloved Thai restaurants come together Aug. 21-31 to showcase the bold, diverse and harmonious flavors that have made Thai food a global favorite. Each participating venue will offer specially crafted set menus, making it easier than ever to indulge in everything from fiery curries to fragrant stir-fries and delicate desserts.
This special initiative is more than just a food festival — it’s a cultural bridge that highlights the enduring friendship between Thailand and Qatar. Diners are invited to share their experiences on social media with #ThaiWeekQatar, with selected posts winning dining vouchers and exclusive prizes.
Whether you’re a fan of the sweet heat of Tom Yum soup, the comforting depth of Massaman curry or the refreshing zest of Som Tum salad, this weeklong event promises a taste of Thailand for every palate.
Dates: Aug. 21-31
Location: 13 Thai restaurants across Qatar
Find more information here.

2. Word on the street: School Checklist Msheireb

Families explore an interactive learning zone during Checklist V3: Back to School 2025, at Msheireb Galleria. (Photo courtesy of Msheireb Downtown Doha via Instagram)
Back-to-school season gets a creative twist at Msheireb Downtown Doha with the launch of Checklist V3: Back to School 2025, a family-friendly activation that transforms the Msheireb Galleria into a vibrant learning hub. This experience introduces the all-new MDD Academy concept, an innovative approach that blends education, play and community engagement.
Building on the success of two previous editions, this year’s program has expanded its reach, bringing in the Ministry of Culture alongside the Ministry of Education, as well as a wide range of partners including Karwa Academy, Sports Beat, Jamm Studio and Logischool. Together, they are reimagining the Galleria as an interactive educational environment where families can explore, learn and connect.
Inside the space, themed learning zones come alive with workshops in technology, arts, reading, sports and music, alongside sessions on safety awareness and logic-based learning. Children can prepare for the year ahead at the School Preparation Hub, where engaging activities are paired with back-to-school shopping opportunities. Adding to the energy, families can enjoy stage shows, quizzes and theatrical performances designed to entertain as much as they educate.
Dates: Until Aug. 30
Location: Msheireb Galleria, Wadi Msheireb Street
Find more details here.

3. Doha diary

Cast members of “Clue on Stage” bring the classic whodunnit mystery to life in Doha. (Photo courtesy of Doha Players via Instagram)
- Clue – The whodunnit mystery
Step into a world of suspense and laughter as “Clue” takes the stage in Doha. Based on the 1985 cult film and the classic board game, this farce-meets-mystery unravels at a remote mansion where six dinner guests find themselves tangled in blackmail, secrets and murder. With a quick-witted butler and a string of suspects, audiences are left guessing until the very end.
Date: Aug. 20-22 and Sept. 10-12
Location: The Doha Players, Community Theater Group
Find more information here.
- Geekdom game development workshop
The Doha Film Institute invites aspiring young game developers to explore the art of video game creation in this interactive workshop. From storytelling and design logic to mastering tools like Unity and Aseprite, participants learn the fundamentals of the gaming industry and even create their own playable prototype.
Dates: Aug. 25 until Sept. 11
Location: CUQ Ulster University, Doha
Find more information here.
- Masha & The Bear
The Mall of Qatar brings the beloved preschool series “Masha & The Bear” to life with 10 days of stage shows, meet-and-greets, and themed activities for children and families. At the heart of the fun is “Super Masha!,” a lively performance that captures the charm, humor and heartwarming lessons of this global phenomenon.
Dates: Aug. 21-30
Location: Mall of Qatar, Oasis stage & Oasis area
Find more information here.
- Python Boot Camp
Make your summer productive with an immersive Python Boot Camp designed for students, beginners and tech enthusiasts. This hands-on program takes you from the basics of coding to building real-world projects, while earning an IBM certificate along the way.
Date: Until Oct. 30
Location: Regus Business Center, D Ring Rd
Find more information here.

4. Book of the week: ‘Al-Arida’

In “Al-Arida,” Qatari author Nourah Al Saad explores the delicate interplay between life’s unpredictable events and the inner world of thought. Through the story of Aisha, the novel examines how fleeting incidents can leave lasting marks, and how our mechanical routines coexist with the private philosophies we carry, almost independently of the external world. Al Saad paints a portrait of a life lived in conscious alignment with personal beliefs, even when the surrounding world seems contradictory or indifferent. Blending introspection, societal reflection and subtle philosophical inquiry, “Al-Arida” invites readers to consider how we navigate our inner truths amid the complexities of life.

5. View from Doha

A man points to a replica of the Qatar 2022 World Cup trophy at a gift shop in Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha on July 24, 2025. (KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

6. By the numbers
- Qatar is home to 27 universities and higher education institutions across three main groups: international institutions, Qatari higher education and Education City, according to the Qatar International Media Office on X.
- A cup of cappuccino in Doha costs an average of $5.08, placing the city among the world’s most expensive for this coffee beverage, according to Deutsche Bank Research’s Mapping the World’s Prices 2025.