The best coffee in Qatar

Alrighty, full disclosure first, I hate coffee.

Okay, "hated", coffee is probably more accurate. I couldn't stand the taste of coffee and never touched the stuff until I turned 30 years old.

I couldn't handle it in chocolates, ice creams, or any other desserts - forget drinking an entire cup of it.

Then I turned 30...

The magical age where you begin to "need" coffee. To date, several years later, I can still only drink cappuccinos, or perhaps the odd latte. It's got be as uncoffeed as possible for me to drink it.

I thank my luck stars because Qatar has some good coffee places. And you can only really appreciate that fact if you totally hate coffee to begin with.

Number 1: Cafe Vergnano 1882.

I am not sure what they put in their coffee but I am not complaining! This is the only coffee in Qatar that keeps me wide awake, without fail, for at least 8 hours straight. I order the small cappuccino and it only sets me back about 18QR.

The place isn't a fancy joint. It has a simple low key vibe. Quite comfortable and a great ambience to catch up on work.

Number 2: Empty Cup

It has two locations, one in City Centre and the other at the Student Centre at QF. There is no cafe or sitting area. This is just the place you go to when you want a good quality cup of coffee. Everyone who has tried it, loves it. Put it on your list, it's doubtful you would ever be disappointed.

The cappuccino is 16QR. If you're passing through QF or City Centre, do check it out.

Number 3: Sarab Lounge, St. Regis

Firstly, QL is not the type of place that says everything 5 star is amazing. When we all have had our fair share of disappointing experiences, we know some places get it right and others... don't.

This cappuccino at the St. Regis, is definitely 100% right. The cappuccino here is huge! It's almost a like a bowl of frothy beautiful soup! Yes, it is pricey at 30QR, but it's large in quantity plus they give you a few small complimentary sweets to enjoy it with. I am into good value like the rest of you, but this is a treat I would definitely indulge in.

The whole environment here is just so relaxing and laid back. It's my go to place after a miserable day or the end of a difficult week. One feels almost as if they are on vacation.

Number 4: Flat White

Many people will say this should have been number 1, but this is my subjective opinion. Nonetheless, out of the hundreds of coffees/cappuccinos/flat whites I have tasted, this is a remarkable one. It's high quality coffee brought to us by two passionate Qatari entrepreneurs. They serve up some awesome desserts and is always bustling with visitors.

Nice fresh interiors and a good cup of flat white are a great way to enjoy your morning, weekend, evening. If you come here, try their flat white, it's what they are famous for as their name suggest and it's 24QR/cup. This is one of the few non-franchise places where one can find speciality coffee.

Number 5: Caribou Coffee

The coffee is pretty decent here. I find it a bit more bitter than some of my other selections, as it's the only place I need to add 2 sugars to the coffee rather than 1, but it's still good. Definitely a nice simple place to relax and serves one of the best (if not, THE best) carrot cake in town.

It's 15QR for a small cappuccino, thus the cheapest on the list. Everyone from Canadian expats to Al Thanis love this place. It's good coffee, even better cakes, and a nice place to sit back and relax. I feel like I'm home when I go there - even though it is American.

Side note: thanks to everyone who helped piece this article together. There were so many coffee shops sampled. Apologies to those who had me try their favorites and I couldn't down the second sip.

I'm picky.  And yes, I am expecting the backlash that I didn't drink straight black coffee to properly judge.

Do you think I missed a place that should be on the list? Looking forward to your feedback.