Doha, Qatar: The third edition of the Throwback Food Festival is drawing steady crowds to Old Doha Port, where nostalgia, cuisine and community spirit have converged to create one of the season’s most distinctive Ramadan attractions.
Designed as a celebration of Qatar’s culinary heritage, the festival transports visitors back to the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, offering a blend of food, culture and entertainment that resonates strongly with the reflective atmosphere of the Holy Month.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Old Doha Port, the festival has transformed the waterfront into a lively hub of flavours and memories. Running from February 16 until the end of Ramadan, the event operates daily from 5:30pm into the early hours, aligning perfectly with the rhythm of Iftar, evening gatherings and Suhoor.
At the heart of the festival are 30 participating vendors and restaurants, including selected culinary concepts from across the Middle East. Their menus, inspired by past decades, feature dishes and snacks that evoke childhood memories and traditional dining experiences. The emphasis on heritage is not merely thematic; it is deeply experiential, inviting families to reconnect with tastes and traditions that defined earlier eras of Qatari social life.
Live cooking stations have become a major draw, with chefs recreating classic recipes and preparation techniques that highlight the evolution of local cuisine. Visitors can observe time-honoured methods while enjoying freshly prepared dishes, reinforcing the festival’s educational and cultural dimensions.
“The Throwback Food Festival is special because it connects people emotionally to food. Many visitors tell us our menu brings back childhood memories. Ramadan is a time of reflection and togetherness, and this event creates exactly that atmosphere every evening,” Prakash Manoor, a manager of one of the participating restaurants, told The Peninsula.
Beyond gastronomy, the Throwback Food Festival offers a rich programme of cultural activations. Traditional games and interactive entertainment inspired by past generations have proven particularly popular with younger audiences, bridging generational gaps and encouraging shared experiences. A dedicated traditional outdoor space allows families to gather and relive the charm of classic television programmes and entertainment from decades gone by, further deepening the nostalgic ambience.
Among the standout attractions is “Dukkan,” a carefully crafted recreation of the neighbourhood shop that once formed the social nucleus of Qatari communities. The installation captures the simplicity and warmth of everyday life, reminding visitors of a time when such spaces were central to social interaction.
Equally captivating is the Hakawati storytelling experience, which runs nightly in two sessions. Designed for children, the storytelling sessions breathe life into the history of local cuisine and hospitality through engaging narratives. By weaving together folklore, food culture and shared memory, the initiative reflects the essence of Ramadan as a period of learning, reflection and family bonding.
“Ramadan is always about family for us, and this festival captures that feeling perfectly. The traditional games and old-style setting remind us of stories from our parents and grandparents. Sharing these moments with our children here at Old Doha Port makes the experience even more meaningful,” said Fatimat Al Hakim, who was visiting with her family.
The festival’s relevance to Ramadan is both deliberate and meaningful. The Holy Month is traditionally associated with togetherness, generosity and cultural reflection, values that are embedded throughout the event’s design. The late operating hours accommodate post-Iftar outings, while the family-friendly environment supports the social customs that define Ramadan evenings in Qatar.
In addition, the festival complements a broader nationwide calendar of Ramadan activities, underscoring Qatar’s commitment to preserving heritage while fostering vibrant public spaces. The season’s programme, curated under Visit Qatar and accessible via Qatar Calendar, features an array of cultural, spiritual and lifestyle events across multiple venues.
The Throwback Food Festival’s success is also reinforced by strong institutional partnerships. Qatar Airways serves as the official airline partner, while Snoonu supports the event as the official food technology partner. Strategic hospitality backing from Katara Hospitality, alongside other sponsors, highlights the collaborative effort behind the festival’s execution.
Visitors have praised the festival for its distinctive concept and inclusive appeal. Many describe it as more than a food event, noting how the carefully curated environment encourages reflection, conversation and shared enjoyment, hallmarks of the Ramadan experience. As Doha’s evenings continue to come alive with spiritual observances and social gatherings, the Throwback Food Festival stands out as a vivid reminder of how heritage and hospitality remain integral to Qatar’s Ramadan landscape. The festival not only entertains but also preserves collective memory, an endeavour particularly fitting for the holy month.
