Restaurant Manager Salary in Qatar: Complete Compensation Guide 2026

Restaurant Manager Compensation in Qatar

Qatar’s dining landscape has been transformed by two convergent forces: the legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which added over 30,000 hotel rooms and hundreds of new restaurants, and the country’s National Vision 2030 tourism strategy, which targets 6 million international visitors annually. The result is a compact but exceptionally high-quality restaurant market where luxury hotel dining, ambitious standalone concepts, and an increasingly vibrant casual dining scene compete for talented Restaurant Managers. Doha’s West Bay skyline, The Pearl-Qatar waterfront, Lusail City boulevard, and Katara Cultural Village each host distinctive dining precincts, while the expansion of Hamad International Airport ensures a continuous flow of international travellers who expect world-class dining experiences.

For Restaurant Managers, Qatar offers a proposition that is difficult to match: tax-free salaries at the upper end of the GCC range, comprehensive benefits packages (including housing allowances that rank among the most generous in the region), a manageable and walkable food scene that allows rapid networking and career visibility, and the prestige of working with some of the world’s most recognised hospitality brands. The country’s relatively small geographic footprint means that a Restaurant Manager in Doha can build relationships across the entire industry more quickly than in a sprawling market like Dubai or Riyadh, creating career acceleration opportunities that larger markets cannot replicate.

Salary Overview by Experience Level

Restaurant Manager salaries in Qatar vary based on experience, property classification, venue type, and the specific responsibilities of the role. The following ranges represent monthly base salaries in QAR and reflect the current 2026 market across Doha, Lusail, and The Pearl-Qatar.

Entry-Level / Assistant Restaurant Manager (0–3 years): QAR 7,000–11,000 per month. Assistant Restaurant Managers at luxury hotel restaurants operated by brands like Four Seasons, St. Regis, Shangri-La, or Intercontinental start at QAR 8,000–10,000 with accommodation and meals provided. Those at standalone restaurants in The Pearl-Qatar or Lusail earn QAR 9,000–11,000 to compensate for fewer benefits. Graduates of recognised hospitality programs entering structured management trainee positions at Marriott (Voyage) or Hilton (Elevator) typically begin at QAR 7,500–9,500.

Mid-Level / Restaurant Manager (3–7 years): QAR 11,000–19,000 per month. Restaurant Managers overseeing single hotel outlets or standalone restaurants in Doha earn within this range. At five-star hotel properties, mid-level managers earn QAR 13,000–19,000 depending on outlet revenue, cover counts, and operational complexity. At standalone casual dining and contemporary concepts, the range is QAR 11,000–15,000. Managers at high-volume venues with significant event and private dining business—common in Qatar’s corporate entertainment culture—earn toward the upper end. Proficiency with reservation management systems, POS analytics, and guest relationship management is expected at this level.

Senior Level / Senior Restaurant Manager & F&B Manager (7–12 years): QAR 19,000–30,000 per month. Senior Restaurant Managers at flagship hotel dining venues, multi-outlet hotel F&B divisions, or high-profile standalone concepts command salaries in this band. An F&B Manager at a luxury property like the Four Seasons Doha or Mandarin Oriental Doha overseeing four to eight restaurant and bar outlets earns QAR 22,000–30,000. At premium standalone venues operated by Alshaya Qatar F&B brands, senior managers with full P&L accountability earn QAR 19,000–25,000.

Executive Level / Director of F&B & Regional Director (12+ years): QAR 30,000–45,000 per month. Directors of Food and Beverage at Qatar’s trophy hotel properties and Regional Directors at multi-concept restaurant groups earn at this level. Katara Hospitality, the sovereign wealth fund’s hospitality arm, offers the highest compensation packages for executive F&B leadership roles, with base salaries of QAR 35,000–45,000 supplemented by performance bonuses tied to Gross Operating Profit (GOP) and guest satisfaction metrics. At QD-SBG managed properties (Shangri-La, W Hotel), executive F&B leaders earn QAR 30,000–40,000.

Hotel F&B Versus Standalone Restaurants

The distinction between hotel-based and standalone restaurant management is particularly pronounced in Qatar, where the hotel segment dominates the high-end market and standalone restaurants are a growing but still secondary segment.

Hotel Restaurant Management: Qatar’s luxury hotels are the backbone of the country’s dining scene. Properties like the St. Regis Doha, Four Seasons Hotel Doha, Shangri-La Doha, Mandarin Oriental Doha, and Intercontinental Doha (The City and The Beach) each operate multiple dining outlets that require dedicated Restaurant Managers. Hotel positions offer lower base salaries than equivalent standalone roles but provide significantly superior benefits: company-provided accommodation (either on-site at the hotel or in nearby residential compounds), complimentary meals from staff cafeterias, comprehensive medical insurance, education allowances for dependents, and annual flights for the employee and family. The total package value at a luxury hotel frequently exceeds the total compensation at a standalone restaurant by 20–35%.

Standalone Restaurant Management: The Pearl-Qatar, Lusail City, Katara Cultural Village, and the emerging Msheireb Downtown district host a growing number of standalone restaurants ranging from premium casual to fine dining. International brands operated by AlShaya Qatar and local entrepreneurial ventures are expanding this segment. Standalone positions typically pay higher base salaries to offset the absence of accommodation and some hotel-grade benefits. A mid-level Restaurant Manager at a Pearl-Qatar standalone concept might earn QAR 14,000–17,000 base, compared to QAR 12,000–15,000 at a hotel outlet—but without the accommodation benefit worth QAR 5,000–9,000 per month.

Alcohol Licensing in Qatar

Qatar permits alcohol service in licensed hotel restaurants and bars, as well as at select standalone venues in designated areas. Restaurant Managers at licensed outlets benefit from beverage revenue that can constitute 30–50% of total sales, and this revenue complexity justifies higher compensation. Managers must ensure strict compliance with Qatar’s licensing regulations, which govern service hours, customer identification requirements, and consumption limits. Experience managing licensed premises is a significant differentiator in the Qatar market, with managers who hold beverage management expertise earning 10–15% premiums over food-only operations. Wine knowledge, cocktail program development, and responsible service training are valued competencies. Outside licensed venues, Qatar’s food-focused restaurants require managers to drive revenue entirely through food quality, non-alcoholic beverage innovation, and exceptional service—a different but equally demanding operational model.

HACCP and Food Safety Standards

Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health enforces rigorous food safety standards, and Restaurant Managers bear personal responsibility for compliance. HACCP certification is effectively mandatory for senior restaurant management roles. Qatar follows the Codex Alimentarius framework, and Restaurant Managers must ensure that their venues maintain documented food safety management systems, conduct regular internal audits, and pass government inspections. Managers with Level 4 Food Safety Management qualifications from recognised bodies (CIEH, Highfield) are preferred by employers and earn 5–10% more than those without. The country’s preparation for hosting major international events has further elevated food safety expectations across the hospitality sector.

Staff Management in Qatar’s Multicultural Environment

Qatar’s restaurant teams are drawn from across the globe, with staff from the Philippines, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Eastern Europe forming the majority of front-of-house and back-of-house teams. Restaurant Managers must lead across linguistic and cultural boundaries, adapting communication styles, training methods, and motivational approaches to a diverse workforce. The ability to build cohesive teams from this diversity is a core management competency that employers value highly.

Qatar’s labour reforms, including the abolition of the kafala (sponsorship) system and the introduction of a minimum wage in 2020, have improved worker mobility and raised the bar for employer standards. Restaurant Managers who create positive working environments with fair scheduling, training opportunities, and respectful treatment experience lower turnover and higher service quality—outcomes that directly support career advancement and salary growth.

Benefits Package

Qatar’s restaurant employers provide benefits packages that substantially increase total compensation beyond the base salary.

Housing Allowance: The most significant benefit, typically ranging from 25–40% of base salary. For a mid-level Restaurant Manager earning QAR 15,000, the housing allowance adds QAR 3,750–6,000 monthly. Many hotel companies provide furnished accommodation on-site or in nearby compounds. Cash housing allowances in Doha range from QAR 3,500–9,000 per month depending on seniority.

Transport Allowance: QAR 1,500–3,500 per month, or a company vehicle for senior roles. The Doha Metro provides an affordable alternative for daily commuting, but a transport allowance remains standard.

Medical Insurance: Mandatory under Qatar’s health insurance scheme. Luxury hotel groups provide comprehensive coverage including dental, optical, and family plans. Coverage is valued at QAR 8,000–20,000 per year.

Education Allowance: For managers with school-age children, this benefit can be transformative. International schools in Doha charge QAR 25,000–75,000 per year. Many employers provide QAR 20,000–50,000 per child annually. This single benefit can add the equivalent of QAR 4,000–8,000 per month per child to effective compensation.

Annual Flights: Return flights for the employee and dependents, valued at QAR 4,000–12,000 per year. Senior managers often receive business class tickets.

End-of-Service Gratuity: Qatar labour law provides three weeks of basic salary for each year of service. A Restaurant Manager earning QAR 15,000 who completes five years of service receives approximately QAR 56,250 upon departure.

Service Charge and Tips: Licensed hotel restaurants and premium standalone venues often distribute service charges to front-of-house staff including Restaurant Managers. At high-revenue venues, this can add QAR 1,500–4,000 per month to take-home pay.

Top Employers for Restaurant Managers in Qatar

• Alshaya Qatar F&B: Operates major international brands including Starbucks, Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang’s, and Shake Shack across Qatar. Offers structured career progression, multi-brand exposure, and competitive packages.
• QD-SBG (Shangri-La, W Hotel): Manages premium hotel properties with extensive F&B operations. Known for strong benefits packages and structured management development programs.
• Katara Hospitality: The Qatar Investment Authority’s hospitality arm owns and operates trophy properties in Qatar and globally. Offers the highest compensation packages in the Qatar market, with excellent benefits and generous performance bonuses.
• Intercontinental Doha: Operating two landmark properties (The City and The Beach), Intercontinental employs large restaurant management teams across multiple dining concepts. IHG’s global career framework provides clear progression pathways and international transfer opportunities.
• Four Seasons Doha: Consistently ranked among the region’s top hotels, the Four Seasons offers premium compensation, industry-leading employee benefits, and a management culture that invests heavily in leadership development.
• Mandarin Oriental Doha: A newer luxury addition in the Msheireb Downtown district. Has been aggressive in compensation to attract experienced F&B management talent, offering the opportunity to shape a property’s dining identity in its formative years.

Tax-Free Advantage and Savings Potential

Qatar has zero personal income tax for both nationals and expatriates. Combined with employer-provided accommodation or generous housing allowances, Restaurant Managers in Qatar can achieve savings rates of 45–65% of gross salary. A mid-level Restaurant Manager earning a total package of QAR 20,000 per month (base plus housing) with meals provided faces personal expenses of QAR 2,000–4,000, enabling savings of QAR 16,000–18,000 per month. These savings rates are exceptional by global standards and represent one of the most compelling financial reasons to build a restaurant management career in Qatar.

Career Progression in Qatar

Qatar’s concentrated hospitality market offers faster career advancement than many larger markets. The typical progression moves from Assistant Restaurant Manager to Restaurant Manager (two to four years), to Senior Restaurant Manager or F&B Manager (four to seven years), and to Director of F&B (eight to fifteen years). The small number of premium properties means that strong performers gain visibility quickly, and reputation travels fast in Doha’s close-knit hospitality community.

Qatar’s ongoing tourism expansion—including new developments in Lusail City, Qetaifan Islands, and the continued growth of events tourism (Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, Qatar Economic Forum, World Padel Tour)—ensures a steady pipeline of new venues requiring experienced Restaurant Managers. The concentration of luxury brands in Doha also creates international transfer opportunities within brand portfolios, enabling Restaurant Managers to leverage their Qatar experience for positions in London, Singapore, New York, or other global hospitality capitals.

Salary Negotiation Tips for Qatar

• Negotiate housing as a priority. Housing is the most expensive living cost in Qatar, and the housing allowance is often the most negotiable component. If the base salary is firm, push for a higher housing allowance or company-provided accommodation.
• Quantify revenue impact. Present concrete results: covers managed, average check improvement, food cost control, guest satisfaction scores. Qatar’s hotel owners are commercially focused and respond to data-driven candidates.
• Leverage education allowance. If you have children, negotiate education allowance before accepting. International school fees in Doha are substantial, and this benefit alone can be worth QAR 50,000–150,000 per year for families with multiple children.
• Highlight beverage expertise. Sommelier qualifications (WSET, Court of Master Sommeliers), cocktail program knowledge, and experience managing licensed premises are differentiators that justify 10–15% salary premiums.
• Ask about performance bonus structures. Many Qatar hotel companies offer bonuses tied to GOP, RevPAR, and guest satisfaction. Ensure these are documented with specific targets and payout formulas.
• Request contract duration flexibility. Standard contracts are two years. A three-year contract with annual reviews provides stability and maximises end-of-service gratuity accumulation.

Property-by-Property Salary Intelligence

Access detailed compensation data for Restaurant Managers across 20+ Qatar properties and restaurant groups, including Four Seasons Doha, St. Regis Doha, Shangri-La Doha, Mandarin Oriental Doha, Intercontinental Doha, Katara Hospitality properties, and Alshaya Qatar F&B brands. See exact base salary ranges by position level and outlet type, housing benefit comparisons between company-provided accommodation and cash allowances, service charge distribution policies, and education allowance benchmarks by employer.

Qatar Restaurant Management Interview Kit

Get tailored preparation materials for Restaurant Manager interviews in the Qatar market. Includes operational scenario questions specific to Qatar’s licensing environment, financial acumen assessments, beverage program knowledge evaluations, and a total compensation calculator that factors in housing, education, meals, transport, flights, and end-of-service gratuity for accurate offer comparison across Qatar employers.