Food Delivery and Taxi Apps in Qatar: A Practical Guide for Tourists

Doha runs on Talabat, Snoonu, Deliveroo, Keeta, Uber and Karwa – enough to handle food and transport from day one. Uber Eats does not operate in Qatar, and Careem stopped ride-hailing services in February 2023. Below is a breakdown of every app worth downloading, with real prices, caveats and tips that save time and money.

Key takeaways:

• Talabat – the largest food delivery platform in the region, operates across all of Qatar
• Snoonu – Qatari super app: food, groceries, pharmacy, courier services
• Keeta – Chinese service (by Meituan), launched in Doha in August 2025 with aggressive discounts
• Deliveroo – international platform, strong coverage around The Pearl and West Bay
• Uber – the main ride-hailing option, works across Doha but does not pick up at the airport (except Uber Black/XL)
• Karwa – government taxis, the only option for curbside pickup at the airport
• Careem ride-hailing does not work – removed from Qatar in 2023, do not confuse with other Gulf countries

Talabat is the most widely used delivery platform in Qatar and the largest in the Middle East. It partners with thousands of restaurants and also delivers groceries via Talabat Mart, pharmacy items and flowers.

Delivery fees vary by restaurant and distance – typically 5–10 QAR ($1.5–3). Talabat Pro subscription costs 40 QAR (~$11) per month and unlocks free delivery on orders above 40 QAR. For anyone ordering more than 3–4 times a month, the subscription pays for itself immediately.

The interface supports English and Arabic, accepts international cards and cash. This is the most versatile option for visitors: wide selection, intuitive cuisine filters and reliable delivery. (Updated: February 2026)

Snoonu is the first and best-known super app built in Qatar. Beyond restaurant food, it delivers groceries from supermarkets, pharmacy items, electronics, home services (cleaning, laundry) and even offers a "personal assistant" feature for non-standard requests.

Snoonu Prime is a premium subscription with access to 5-star hotel restaurants and fine-dining establishments that deliver exclusively through this platform. For regular orders, Prime is not necessary.

By app store rankings, Snoonu consistently holds the number-one spot among Food & Drink apps in Qatar. It covers Doha, Lusail, Al Wakrah and surrounding areas.

Keeta is the international arm of China's Meituan (the world's largest delivery platform by volume). It launched in Doha in August 2025, immediately offering free delivery and 200 QAR in vouchers for new users.

Keeta's strategy is to enter markets through rock-bottom prices. In Saudi Arabia, the service reached third place within four months. In Doha, the restaurant selection is narrower than Talabat's but growing rapidly. If your goal is to order food as cheaply as possible, check Keeta first: launch promotions often provide genuine savings of 50–70% on initial orders.

Keeta does not require a Qatari phone number to register – it works with any eSIM or foreign SIM card.

Deliveroo has operated in Qatar since October 2022. Its strength lies in partnerships with premium restaurants and solid coverage around The Pearl, West Bay and central Doha. In 2025, the platform also launched grocery delivery.

Deliveroo's restaurant commissions are higher than Talabat's, which sometimes translates into slightly higher dish prices. But if you are looking for a specific restaurant that is not on other platforms, Deliveroo is worth checking.

Rafeeq is a fully Qatari super app (founded in 2019). It offers food, groceries, pharmacy, flowers, hotel bookings and services (cleaning, boat trips). Rafeeq Pro provides unlimited free delivery via subscription.

Honest take: based on user reviews, Rafeeq can have issues with delivery times and courier availability. During peak hours, waiting times can be significantly longer than Talabat or Snoonu. For tourists, Rafeeq is more of a backup option.

(Updated: February 2026)

Karwa (Mowasalat) operates the turquoise taxis you will see everywhere in Doha. It is the only service that picks up passengers directly at the airport terminal exit – neither Uber nor other aggregators can do this.

Karwa fares (metered):

(Updated: February 2026)

Karwa accepts cards (via in-car terminal or Scan N Pay in the app) and cash. You can book via the Karwa app, at taxi ranks near malls and hotels, by hailing on the street, or by calling the dispatch centre.

Notable detail: the Karwa app now supports robotaxi booking – driverless electric vehicles operating in a trial phase across West Bay, central Doha and around the airport.

Uber operates in Doha with several categories: UberX/UberGo (economy), Uber Comfort and Uber Black. Prices are shown upfront in the app – the main advantage over Karwa, where the meter can run up during traffic jams.

Things to know:

• Airport: Uber only picks up in Black and XL categories. For budget rides from the airport, take Karwa instead
• GPS: In high-rise areas (West Bay, Lusail), the GPS pin can drift – adjust the pickup point manually
• Payment: Cards (including international), Apple Pay, Google Pay. Cash availability depends on regional settings
• Surge pricing: Peak hours can double the fare. Compare with Karwa before confirming

You can order a Karwa taxi directly through the Uber app – select the "Taxi" option and look for the turquoise Karwa icon. This is convenient for comparing prices in one place.

Besides Uber and Karwa, several other apps are licensed in Qatar: Badrgo (starting at 7 QAR, fixed pricing), Aabir (licensed by the Ministry of Interior, focused on safety) and Ryde (from 6 QAR – one of the cheapest).

Qatar's Ministry of Transport has licensed six companies for passenger transportation via apps: Uber, Karwa Technologies, QDrive, Badr, Aber (Aabir) and Zoom Ride. Others operate in a grey area – TaxiF, for example, is popular for its low prices but does not hold an official licence.

For tourists staying a few days, Uber + Karwa is sufficient – other aggregators save $1–2 per ride but require separate registration.

Prices when ordering through delivery apps are typically 10–20% higher than dining in. Add delivery fees (5–10 QAR) and sometimes a service charge.

(Updated: February 2026)

Tip: if you are staying near Souq Waqif or Msheireb Downtown, street food and cafés within walking distance will cost less than any delivery. Karak tea and shawarma with flatbread start at 3–5 QAR (~$1–1.5) on the spot.

Before your trip:

• Install Talabat and Uber before departure – registration works with a foreign number. Link your card in advance
• For uninterrupted internet in Doha, set up an eSIM before you fly – delivery and taxi apps require stable mobile data

At the airport:

• From Hamad International, take Karwa (taxi rank right outside arrivals). Uber only dispatches Black/XL – 2–3 times more expensive
• Do not look for Careem – it has not operated in Qatar since 2023

Around the city:

• Talabat + Snoonu cover 90% of food needs. Keeta is for chasing discounts
• For rides: compare Uber and Karwa within the Uber app (both options appear). Off-peak, Karwa is often cheaper
• Doha Metro costs 2 QAR per ride and connects major tourist spots – sometimes faster and cheaper than a taxi
• Promo code RAIL in the Karwa app gives 20% off rides to/from metro stations

Payment and VPN:

• All listed apps accept international Visa/MasterCard
• VoIP calls are blocked in Qatar (WhatsApp calls, FaceTime Audio) – to communicate with drivers, use in-app text messages or regular phone calls. Check visa and telecom requirements for your nationality before travelling. More on restrictions in the article What's Blocked in Qatar

1. Does Uber Eats work in Qatar? No. Uber in Doha only operates as a ride-hailing service. For food delivery, use Talabat, Snoonu or Deliveroo.

2. Can I get an Uber from Hamad International Airport? Yes, but only in Black and XL categories – economy is not available. A ride to central Doha costs 60–120 QAR ($16–33) depending on the category. Karwa from the taxi rank is cheaper at 40–60 QAR ($11–16).

3. Which food delivery app should I download first? Talabat – it has the widest restaurant and grocery selection. Download Snoonu second – it fills gaps where Talabat falls short, plus offers household services.

4. Do taxis in Doha accept bank cards? Yes. Karwa accepts cards via an in-car terminal. Uber payments are linked to a card in the app. Cash is also accepted in both cases.

5. Does Careem work in Qatar? No. Careem stopped ride-hailing operations in Qatar in February 2023. Use Uber, Karwa or Badrgo instead.

The combination of Talabat + Snoonu + Uber + Karwa covers all essential needs for tourists in Doha: from ordering food to getting around the city and airport transfers. Keep Keeta for discount hunting and Deliveroo for restaurants not listed elsewhere. All apps accept international cards and do not require a Qatari phone number to register.

• Taxis in Doha: Karwa, Uber, (no) Careem – prices and how to book
• The Perfect One-Day Itinerary in Doha
• What to Eat in Qatar
• What's Blocked in Qatar
• Tipping in Qatar
• Long Layover in Doha

Mowasalat (Karwa) – official taxi app

Talabat Qatar – food delivery platform

Snoonu – Qatar's super app

Keeta (Meituan) – delivery service

Ministry of Transport Qatar – transport licensing

Uber Qatar – ride-hailing service