5 to try: Afternoon tea in Doha 1  Comments 27 October 2010

Al Jalsa: This traditional Arabic-style hotel offers one of the best and biggest selections of tea in Doha – some 28 varieties make up the menu at Al Jalsa, the hotel’s cosy tea lounge, complete with relaxing and calming tropical fish aquariums built into the walls. The teas are blended by Tchaba, a German-based company, including a unique tea called Ameerat Al Sharq, blended exclusively for the hotel – a heady combination of green tea, orange peel, cinnamon, violets and saffron flower. Thankfully, choosing your tea is the hardest decision, as both the Royal and Arabic Royal Afternoon Teas are essentially the same thing. Both include a cake stand full of savory bite-sized canapés – tuna tartare, sun-dried tomato mousse plus the more usual smoked salmon with cream cheese and egg salad finger sandwiches. In addition, there are scones with clotted cream, some sublime jam and assorted berries with mango sauce. The difference between the two comes with the pretty little sweet treats, which are assorted baklava for the Arabic version and mini cakes, muffins and eclairs for the Royal. A relaxing, peaceful afternoon.
Sharq Village & Spa (4424 6666). Served daily 2.30pm-5.30pm, QR135 for Royal Afternoon Tea, QR135 for Arabic Royal Afternoon Tea