Best Airport Lounge Food & Beverage represented another glittering accolade for this outstanding and groundbreaking space at Hamad International Airport, where servers elegantly glide in royal blue suits, tempting passengers with drinks and treats on giant, rolling Louis Vuitton luggage trollies.

Beyond the beautiful décor, the menu crafted byt hree-Michelin-star chef Yannick Alléno also delivers a myriad of stand-out delights . The pastry selection, for example, offers the best of French and Viennese patisseries, with an international twist.

Options include everything from a classic, perfect all-butter croissant to a square ‘babka’ bun, which is made by plaiting and compressing layers of pastry until they become an irresistible feat of geometry and haute baking. The addition of a side serving of ‘Amlou’ is a lovely local touch – the sweet almond, honey and argan oil dipping sauce offering an unusual and unexpected twist.

With classic sushis, caviars, confit lamb and lobster bisques, lovers of tradition are well covered here. But there are also daring and unexpected sandwich options such as sturgeon with mayo and adventurous puddings like the north African-style, multi-layered and crispy pistachio pastilla with dates, the traditional welcoming fruit of the Middle East.