I’ve always considered Gaia one of my favorite restaurants — I visit regularly in Doha, and I often choose it abroad during my travels. It’s my go-to place for special occasions, and I’ve had many beautiful memories there.
Unfortunately, my last visit left a very negative impression. I was having dinner with a friend, and before anything was said, one of the Moroccan managers in a black suit was repeatedly walking around our table and looking at us in a way that felt uncomfortable — to the point that I told my friend, “I think he’s about to come say something”, and he did.
At exactly 9:28 PM, while we were still sipping our tea, he came over and politely said: “Can I ask you a favor?”, then informed us that our 2-hour reservation time was over and that they had many other reservations, so we needed to leave.
While he was courteous, the timing and approach felt unnecessarily strict. Not even a 5-minute grace period was offered — and we were clearly at the end of our meal.
What made it worse was that, after we got up and paid, I noticed at least three empty tables behind us, all unoccupied throughout our stay. So it left me genuinely wondering: why were we the ones asked to leave, and in such a pressured way?
I submitted my feedback directly to the restaurant, and weeks have passed with no follow-up or apology. I suppose that’s not surprising when the behavior comes from a senior manager.
From this platform, I respectfully call on the higher management of Gaia’s international group to re-evaluate how managers in the Doha branch deal with loyal guests — because this incident left a truly bad impression.
I also want to mention that the former manager, Julia, was an incredible example of professionalism and warmth. She always welcomed feedback, made everyone feel at home, and handled things with grace. We truly miss her presence at Gaia Doha.
Sadly, I’ll think twice before choosing Gaia Doha again — not because of the food or ambiance, but because of how I was made to feel.
Update: I was contacted by the same manager after I posted this review. The conversation, unfortunately, left me more confused. He insisted that he had called me before and I refused to talk — something that never happened. He also mentioned the empty tables were “blocked,” but didn’t explain why.
He offered to share his number for future support, but ended the call without actually giving it. I appreciated the effort to follow up, but the way it was handled lacked clarity and professionalism — which unfortunately reinforced my...
Read moreIf you’re searching for a dining experience that transcends the ordinary in Doha, look no further than my absolute favourite restaurant, a veritable haven for culinary enthusiasts. This establishment has consistently dazzled me with its remarkable offerings, and every visit reaffirms its status as a top-tier destination for exceptional cuisine. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The following are my favourite dishes that I would highly recommend for you to try:
⭐️ The Tzatziki Spread is a refreshing introduction to the meal, its creamy texture and zesty flavours perfectly capturing the essence of Greek appetizers. Paired with warm, crusty bread, it sets the tone for the delightful journey ahead.
⭐️ The Watermelon Salad arrives as a vibrant mosaic of plump, juicy watermelon chunks, each bite bursting with natural sweetness. This is artfully contrasted by the tangy, creamy feta cheese, which adds a savoury depth that beautifully complements the fruit’s lightness.
⭐️ For a taste of classic comfort, the Moussaka is an absolute must-try.
⭐️ The Fried Calamari deserves special mention, reputedly one of the finest in Doha. Lightly battered and fried to perfection, it offers a satisfying crunch with each bite, complemented by a zesty dipping sauce.
⭐️ The Greek Style Meatballs are another highlight, each morsel tender and imbued with aromatic herbs and spices, delivering an authentic taste of Greece.
⭐️ Moving to the seafood offerings, the Grilled Sea Bass is impeccably cooked, featuring a crispy skin and flaky, moist flesh, while the Lobster Pasta and Black Truffle Pasta are both indulgent and sophisticated choices, showcasing a masterful blend of flavours and textures.
⭐️ Don’t miss the Greek Yogurt from the dessert menu — a refreshing and subtly sweet ending to an unforgettable meal, with its creamy consistency providing the perfect finale.
⭐️ My favourite drink is the Virgin Santorini Spritz - its a mixture of Lyche, Hibiscus & citrus very refreshing I love it!
Reservations are highly recommended as from 8pm onwards this popular spot quickly fills up, and queues can form at the reservation desk.
The ambiance here is nothing short of enchanting, with a warm and inviting atmosphere that perfectly complements the exceptional cuisine. The portions are also generous, suitable for two people. The attentive staff are dedicated to ensuring a memorable dining experience, making this restaurant a quintessential choice for a remarkable evening out. For as long as this continues Gaia will always...
Read moreA new Greek restaurant in the Old South Korean Embassy with a beautiful atmosphere. Started with their complimentary plate of olives, cherry tomatoes, labneh and purple eggplants, all very fresh and lovely. Also we chose from a selection of homemade breads including focaccia and olive bread.
My favorite dish was the Taramasalata, which is a spread made out of smoke cod roe and lemon zest served with their Koulouri bread. The spread was perfectly fishy and creamy and salty, but I wouldn't have minded if it was more fishy, a lovely way to start the rest of the meal. To share we got the Sea Bream Carpaccio, beautifully presented as a whole sea bream with their head and thin slices of the melt in mouth fish. This was served with lemon and sea salt, with a selection of 3 oils (lemon, mandarin and truffle). You can drop a bit of each oil on the fish and it really tasted incredible. I liked the lemon and mandarin, they complimented the fish lovely. The truffle was too strong so I didn't enjoy it too much.
Next we got the Prawns Saganaki, huge and juicy pieces of prawns in a tomato, garlic and basil sauce. The sauce was really pleasant and nice to soak up with their bread. I wished the sauce was more garlic-y and spicy to make it a bit more powerful. Also tried their Baked Feta, which was a first time for me, topped with a crispy layer of pastry and nuts and honey. The combination of salty and sweet was unexpected yet delicious! It would be nice if it was a bit sweeter to really contrast the salty cheese. Finally we tried the Moussaka, which tasted very home-y. The minced meat and eggplant were cooked lovely topped with the bechamel sauce and cheese. It was normal, nothing too special.
For dessert we got their Loukomades, Greek fried donuts. You can choose either topped with chocolate or honey and nuts. We tried the honey and nuts. It was nice but nothing special. Also tried their Blueberry Pie topped with Yogurt Ice Cream. The combination was incredible and the pie itself was filled with blueberries, really incredible!
Food: 8/10 Price: 4/10 Location: 10/10
Recommend: Taramasalata Sea Bream Carpaccio Prawns Saganaki Baked...
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