Similar to other sectors, the blockade imposed on Qatar has not affected business at eateries and restaurants.
Also some eateries and restaurants continue to offer their promotions and special prices without any change. Several restaurant owners and employees, The Peninsula spoke to, are not concerned about the future of their business, saying the number of daily visitors remains the same.
“We cater to different sections of diners like low income workers, white collar workers as well as families. The number of customers at our restaurants has not reduced due to the blockade. But generally in summer we get less people because many travel out of the country for vacation. Otherwise we receive dinners as well as take away orders similar to any other summer season,” said Tennison De Silva, owner of a chain of six restaurants in Qatar.
In a reply to a question about prices of food items, he said, “Initially prices of some vegetables saw an increase. But by Saturday we found the prices had reduced again. Also there are some vegetables and other items we purchase from a supermarket on a fixed order. Therefore we had no impact from the prices.”
An employee of a popular Indian restaurant also expressed a similar thought saying, “We don’t see any impact of the blockade in day-to-day business.
During weekends we get fully occupied as same as how it was prior to the blockade. We continue to offer our special buffets and offers as the demand has not reduced.”
“We do home delivery and have taken away option for customers. None of this has been affected and we have the same customer base,” he added.
As restaurants and eateries experience their business not being affected, frequent restaurant visitors also say that food items are being sold at same prices and the present situation has not made an impact on them.
“Every weekend we go out for dining. We haven’t seen any changes in people coming to restaurants or in the price list. Everyone is living a normal day to day life. Restaurants are busy as always during the weekends,” said Nuzra, an expatriate who is residing here with her husband and two children.
