As Ramadan unfolds, evenings are once again defined by prayer, reflection and family gatherings after Iftar, while the country’s cultural landscape comes alive with spaces where heritage and community intersect in meaningful ways.
The third edition of the Throwback Food Festival at Old Doha Port is one such space. Drawing steady crowds since its launch, the festival has transformed the waterfront into a nostalgic celebration of Qatar’s culinary past, transporting visitors to the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s through flavours, décor and shared memories.
Running daily from late afternoon until the early hours, the event welcomes families after Iftar and extends into Suhoor.
At its heart are 30 vendors and restaurants presenting menus inspired by past decades, many of them rooted in Qatari and regional traditions. Live cooking stations revive time-honoured preparation methods, allowing younger generations to witness techniques once common in family kitchens. This emphasis on heritage encourages reflection on how food has long served as a bridge between generations.
Cultural activations further deepen that connection. Traditional games, vintage-inspired entertainment and a recreation of the neighbourhood ‘Dukkan’ evoke a time when daily interactions were simpler and more intimate. The Hakawati storytelling sessions, held nightly for children, weave folklore and food culture into engaging narratives, echoing Ramadan’s enduring role as a season of learning and moral reflection.
The Holy Month is a time to reaffirm social bonds, practise generosity and reconnect with cultural identity. Across the country, mosques witness increased attendance for Taraweeh prayers, while charitable initiatives and community Iftar tents organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) provide meals and spiritual guidance, reinforcing values of compassion and solidarity.
Beyond Old Doha Port, Qatar’s Ramadan calendar features lectures, Qur’anic competitions and heritage-focused events that highlight the nation’s commitment to preserving its traditions while engaging contemporary audiences. Cultural institutions and public venues host activities that blend faith, art and history, underscoring how heritage remains central to national identity.
The Throwback Food Festival stands as more than a seasonal attraction. It illustrates how Qatar continues to weave together faith, culture and public life during Ramadan, ensuring that heritage is not confined to museums or archives but lived and shared in everyday spaces. By bringing families together around familiar tastes and collective memories, the festival mirrors the essence of the Holy Month itself.
