Al Aker Sweets - Bin Mahmoud — Restaurant in Doha

So you like a Kunafa (the regular and the chocolate variety) where do you want to go, if in Doha?

Location : Al Aker in Souq Waqif should be one of your choices. They have branches elsewhere too but this location has all that you want for other explorations too.

Specialties : The Kunafa is my first choice. Their chocolate Kunafa is deviously awesome enough for you forget your diet. I have conveniently forgotten the rest of the menu but I remember having a palate of desserts for QAR 25. Worth every bite. You could add a cup of coffee (try without sugar, along with the desserts). They serve their desserts fresh off the pan and it makes for a good evening sit down at the Souq with friends and family.

Best time to visit : Starting late October to April. I liked this place especially during the winter evenings. There are other places in the Souq too who serve good Kunafa, but I would suggest you start here and every evening explore the Souq for other dessert surprises.

Dessert treats in a...

This is a jackpot! It took me two metro lines journeys in Doha from my home to the shop, but it was well worth it to come here and try their kunafa here. Seeing the flag of their country on the counter reminded me of the day I visited the country before.

Kunafa definitely does not taste the same in every shop. There are several varieties of kunafa, and they also have a variety of baklava as well. I decided to try four at once, assuming I still had room in my stomach. Each one was amazing, but I particularly loved the one with pistachios on top. The texture of the cheese was exquisite and made me addicted.

So many customers came in during my stay and ate at the table. This is an irrefutable proof of their love for the delicious kunafa. The price was quite reasonable, considering the high quality and large quantity. I would like to support them by eating too much of their kunafa until there is no more room in my stomach...

Very good knefeh. However this particular branch never opens on time (I live right across the street). The staff claims 9a.m. but they most often arrive by 9:15-9:30. By the time they hear the knefeh it's already 9:30-9:45. So if you're planning to have knefeh for breakfast, go to another branch.

Also whether you order a small plate or a massive family-size one, you're always getting a tiny saucer of ater (the sweet sauce made of sugar and lemon). Make sure you ask them to add some, this is cheap stuff they shouldn't be...