If someone asks us what our favourite part about Ramadan is, it’d undoubtedly be mouth-watering iftar dishes. Every year, restaurants and hotels across the UAE offer iftar buffets and set menus served alongside excellent hospitality to give their diners a memorable experience. So, whether you are fasting or want to take part in the rich culture and festivities, we’ve rounded up some of the best iftars to try with family, friends, colleagues and loved ones.
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Courtesy of Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri
Mark the holy month in a grand way at Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri. The luxe Abu Dhabi-based hotel will transform its serene poolside space into a magical Ramadan village for suhoor. It also hosts the signature Chinese restaurant Shang Palace and Vietnamese eatery Hoi en which has a fresh take on iftar. Guests will enjoy traditional Asian dishes delicately balanced by the vibrant flavours of the region. Both venues will offer 3-course set menus for Dhs225 per person.
For more information, call +971 2 509 8555 or [email protected]
Hilton Jumeirah Beach Residence
Courtesy of Hilton Jumeirah Beach Residence
Experience a new menu and special theme every day of the week at Hilton Jumeirah Beach Residence’s Haristan and Oceana restaurants. The former is a soulful Mediterranean eatery with a Levantine twist, while the latter is *the* place to visit for seafood specialities. Your plates will be filled with dishes like traditional lamb ouzi, date cream brulée, chicken shawarma, tuna ceviche and more from Sunday through Saturday. All you have to do is book your slot and enjoy the variety. Iftar is priced at Dhs135 per person at Haristan and Dhs255 per person at Oceana.
For more information for Haristan iftar, call +971 4 318 2914 and +971 4 399 1112 for Oceana
MasterChef, The TV Experience
Courtesy of MasterChef, the TV Experience
If you are a fan of the MasterChef series, you’ll be happy to know that the restaurant inspired by the competition is offering a Ramadan iftar set menu. It is a delicious mix of Arabic and international dishes like falafel, sambousek, biryani, Josper-grilled fish to name just a few. There will be a good range of desserts to enjoy such as umm ali and dates cake with toffee sauce. Priced at Dhs149 per person.
For more information, call +971 4 5508111 or email [email protected]
COYA
Courtesy of COYA
You can take breaking your fast to the next level by booking a table at COYA. Throughout Ramadan, the Peruvian restaurant will be putting on a five-course iftar menu, starting with sweet sukkari dates before moving on to nourishing bowls of sweet potato or tasty barely miso soup, artichoke ceviche, wagyu bao buns, sea bass croquettes and chicken anticuchos. You’ll finish on a sweet note with the chef’s special Delicia de Luna’ Ramadan dessert. Priced at Dhs260 per person.
For more information, call +971 4 316 9600 or email [email protected].
Apricot
Courtesy of Apricot
Casual European eatery, Apricot’s four-course iftar menu is priced at Dhs175 per person and packed with a punch. Think fruity apricot chicken tagine, golden tulumba, blondie brownies and Turkish ‘Lokum’ delight. There are a variety of appetizers, Turkish soup and hot and cold mezze.
For more information, visit apricotdubai.com
Pincode
Courtesy of Pincode
Celebrity chef Kunal Kapur’s restaurant Pincode will host an iftar feast this Ramadan. Guests can expect a generous spread filled with Arab-Indo fusions such as chaat hummus, lamb chaapli kabab, Kerela fried chicken and more. Priced at Dhs169 per person.
For more information, call +971 4 566 1424
Aamara
Courtesy of Amara
VOCO Hotel’s Amara restaurant will serve an iftar that will take you on a culinary tour representing the famous silk route of the Middle East. The menu will feature everything from succulent kebabs, to delicious appetizers and their signature biryani. To finish, why not try specially curated Iftar desserts? Priced at Dhs200 per person.
For more information, call +971 52 573 5723
Mondrian Doha
Courtesy of Mondrian Doha
Good décor and even better food await you at Mondrian Doha’s Alf Leila w Leila tent. Iftar starts with delightful Medjoul dates, a selection of fresh juices, artisan bread, cold mezze and fresh salads. This is followed by hot food stations that offer dishes from all around the world. Desserts include Arabic classics like Kunafa and Umm Ali. Priced at QR 260 per person.
For more information and booking, contact +974 5100 5161
Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort
Courtesy of Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort
Break your fast with the unobstructed views of the Arabian Gulf, surrounded by Lebanese garden-inspired décor at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort’s Ramadan Lounge. The hotel brings together the sights, sounds and flavours from the Levant region that features creative and thoughtful cuisine. You and your family can enjoy all-time favourites such as traditional mezze platters, succulent grilled meats, fresh seafood and an assortment of delicious desserts. Meals will be served from sunset to 9 pm for Dhs 115 per person.
For more information and booking contact +971 56 990 7526
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers
Courtesy of Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers
Impress your colleagues and work friends by treating them to an iftar at Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel. Located at Dubai creek, this five-star location offers a modern and elegant ambience with a touch of Arabian hospitality. During the holy month, at their all-day restaurant Hatta, you and your party can sample Chef Mina’s signature Lamb Ouzi, Seafood Harra, Traditional Chicken Topkapi, Oriental Mezze and a mouth-watering menu of Arabic sweets including Kunafa. The Iftar buffet will start from sunset and go on till 8 pm in the evening, for Dhs 179 per person.
For more information, contact [email protected] or WhatsApp at +971 50 973 1673
Address Downtown
Courtesy of Address Downtown Hotel
Gather your friends at the heart of Downtown Dubai at Address Hotel to enjoy a delicious spread of iftar with stunning views of Burj Khalifa. The traditional buffet spread will feature dishes to suit every palette so you know there is something for everyone. You can also watch your meal being cooked at live stations and choose from other international delicacies like sushi, salads and mezze. All of this against the backdrop of Oudh tunes in a luxe Insta-worthy venue. From 22 March to 21 April, you can enjoy the lavish feast for Dhs 260 per person.
For reservations, please call +971 4 438888 or email [email protected]
Timo Restaurant, Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel
Courtesy of Timo restaurant
A family-friendly venue, you’ll find all your favourite Arabic dishes such as cheese kunafa, cauliflower hummus, vine leaves and tabbouleh among many other traditional recipes. The hotel is nestled in the serene surroundings of the Al Jaddaf area, acts as the perfect spot to gather close relatives and loved ones to get into the Ramadan spirit. Adding to the vibes is soothing background music which will set the tone for a scrumptious meal. Priced at Dhs 190 per person.
For more information, visit their website or call +971 4 596 2222.
Swissotel Al Ghurair
Courtesy of Swissotel Al Ghurair
This contemporary hotel is offering a sumptuous iftar buffet in a traditional majlis setting, serving Arabic coffee and dates to break the fast. As the evening moves along, you and your group will be able to enjoy authentic favourites such as lamb thareed, harees, katayef with nuts and much more under the glow of colourful lanterns. Beverages such as tea, coffee and fresh juices will be free-flowing. Priced at Dhs 159 for adults and Dhs 79 for children between 6 to 12 years of age.
For more information and bookings, visit their website or call +971 4 293 3270.
Trump International Golf Club
Courtesy of Trump International Golf Club
This luxury golf club course welcomes you to experience authentic Arabic cuisine in its picturesque destination located at DAMAC Hills. Equipped with world-class amenities, their team has carefully curated a lavish iftar spread infused with regional flavours. Your plates will be filled with hot and cold appetizers, fresh salads, BBQ kebabs and desserts. The Iftar buffet will be available from sunset to 9 pm daily and will be priced at AED 145 per person.
For more information and reservations, email them at [email protected] or call +971 4 245 3988
Palazzo Versace
Courtesy of Palazzo Versace
For a seriously over-the-top iftar experience, head to Palazzo Versace where you and your family can indulge in mouth-watering delicacies against the picturesque backdrop of Dubai Creek. The Hikayat Garden is a specially curated Ramadan setting that offers traditional Ramadan dishes, from 9:30 pm until 3 am with the side of extravagant hospitality that the hotel is known for. Prices start from Dhs 250 per person, including water and other Ramadan juices.
For bookings and reservations, please call 04 556 8805 or visit their website here.
Café Society Dubai
Courtesy of Café Society Dubai
Known for its art déco style interiors, the homegrown restaurant Café Society Dubai is welcoming you and your loved ones to experience true “Ramadan Nights”. Their menu for the holy month features authentic Arabic dishes such as chicken moghrabiya, lamb thareed, kofta kebab and labnah.
Those who want to experience international cuisine can pick from dishes like fish-based Greek-style prawn saganaki, marinated grilled chicken breast, Brazilian picadinho cariocaand more. The restaurant also offers veggie options to choose from, which means there is something for everyone. Prices start at Dhs 185 per person.
For reservations or more information, please call +971 4 318 3755, email [email protected] or visit their website at www.cafesociety.ae.
Nazcaa
Courtesy of Nazcaa
Make iftars with family a memorable occasion this year by dining at the glamorous Nazcaa restaurant. Located amidst the bustling Downtown area, the Peruvian-Japanese spot has designed an iftar set menu that will include three starters, one Temari, a main course, and a dessert. Some of the highlights are Wagyu Bao, Langoustine Taquitos and Nazcaa’s classic Lamb Chops. Priced at Dhs 300 per person.
For more information or reservations, call +971 04 542 4200 or visit their website at Nazcaa.com
SLS Dubai
Courtesy of SLS Dubai
If you are looking for an iftar offering that will impress your guests or special someone, consider SLS Dubai this holy month. Being one of the tallest hotels and residences in the region, SLS allows you and your loved ones to enjoy unparalleled views of the iconic Burj Khalifa from its 75th floor.
Here you will experience first-class hospitality and a stunning setup such as plush seating, colourful lanterns, and intricate Arabic carpets — all within an Arabic-style tent. In terms of food, you will be served with a sharing-style menu including falafel, crumbed asparagus with saffron aioli, hearty rösti potato with yoghurt, pomegranate, and mint; and a comforting warm bowl of lentil soup with lemon and olive oil. And, these are only the starters! 👀 Prices start at Dhs 185 per person.
For more information and reservations, contact [email protected] or call +971 549 918 120.
Waldorf Astoria Kuwait
Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Kuwait
For those of you who are living in Kuwait, Waldorf Astoria is joining the festivities this Ramadan by launching an open-air Al Kubbar tent. You and your family members can dine under the stars with a wide array of traditional Middle Eastern and international delicacies. Prepared by executive chef Gurkan Gozyilmaz, the menu will include signature kebabs, and a mouth-watering wagyu beef shawarma; beverages such as Qamar Al-Deen and Jellab; and sweets like baklava and a special teppanyaki ice-cream. The Iftar package is priced at KWD26 per person.
For reservations and more information, please contact +965 2477 4414 or email [email protected]
Punjab Grill
Courtesy of Punjab Grill
Switch things up by trying Indian cuisine at the fine dining restaurant, Punjab Grill for iftar. For the holy month, you and your friends can enjoy Indo-Emirati-inspired dishes including zaffrani jhinga with namkeen balateet and coconut korma, locally sourced fresh buratta with fattoush and masala falafel and khabees with passionfruit yolk and shrikhand. The quick set menu is priced at Dhs150 and a more decadent six-course meal is for Dhs250.
Contact +971 50 194 1107 to book your table.
Indulge in the Royal Cuisines of India this Ramadan at Varq
Varq, the signature Indian Fine Dining restaurant at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, welcomes guests for an unforgettable Iftar experience with families and friends. Bringing together royal flavours and cuisines from India, the Ramadan menu at Varq will offer guests an extravagant showcase of authentic royal delicacies sourced from all corners of India.
For reservations: +971 4 275 4444
Revel in the unique taste of world-class hospitality with Belgrave
An indulgent treat awaits you at Belgrave’s exclusive Ramadan spread this holy month. Giving guests a true flavour of elevated Persian hospitality, the London-born restaurant is bringing its exclusive ‘All You Can Eat’ offer at an exciting price point for those who love distinctive amalgams of exquisitely delicious Eastern cuisines with a Western twist.