The Best UAE Iftars To Book Now
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BEST FOR FOODIES :
Les Cuisines
The epic journeys made by the 14th-century explorer Ibn Battuta are the theme of the iftar banquet at Les Cuisines inside the Sofitel Dubai Downtown hotel. Good for families, the iftar has dishes hailing from the East, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Expect a variety of live stations, plus soups, salads and small bites.
AED 275
BEST FOR POST-SHOPPING:
The Restaurant
A “tantalising gastronomic journey” is how the chefs at Address Dubai Mall describe their iftar. The stylish Downtown hotel will stage iftar at its homely venue, The Restaurant, which has views of Burj Khalifa. Look out for dishes such as labneh with avocado and shanklish cheese; kibbeh bil laban and shrimp Molokai; accompanied by a BBQ, a live shawarma station, a colourful variety of fresh juices and a dessert section featuring Black Forest cake and awama donut balls.
AED 285
Visit AddressHotels.com
BEST DÉCOR:
Ninive
Surrounded by greenery, lanterns and welcoming sofa seating with plump cushions, you’ll immediately feel the celebratory atmosphere at Ninive, one of the most unique settings in DIFC. Iftar at this urban haven means authentically prepared dishes showcasing the best of Middle Eastern and North African cuisine. Once iftar finishes, set up a game of backgammon and continue the conversation into the evening.
AED 285
Visit Ninive.ae
BEST FOR FINE DINING:
LPM
Well-crafted Mediterranean flavours are the signature of the elegant iftar at LPM. Unquestionably one of the best restaurants in Dubai, LPM’s iftar takes the form of a four-course meal, which includes soup, dates, four starters to share, one main course, one dessert and side dishes. You can’t go wrong by picking the iconic burrata with cherry tomatoes and basil or the salt cod croquettes with roasted pepper relish to start, followed by the confit lamb shoulder or the simple homemade rigatoni with pesto. For dessert, the crème brûlée is a must-order.
AED 265
Visit LPMRestaurants.com
BEST FOR VISUAL THEATRICS:
Expo City Dubai
Expo Dubai is the setting for two remarkable iftars this Ramadan, both of which include a ticket to Expo’s cultural performances at this year’s Hai Ramadan festival. The Surreal Iftar takes place next to Expo’s much admired water feature. Browse a range of live cooking stations serving traditional dishes – plus, reimagined favourites assembled by guest chefs. For a more family-style banquet, opt for The Oasis Iftar where guests embark on a culinary journey by making their way through nine pods serving soups, salads, savoury pastries, falafel, shawarma, lamb biryani and a selection of desserts including lokaymat, sweet dumplings served with organic date syrup and roasted sesame seeds.
AED 220, The Surreal Iftar; AED 150, The Oasis Iftar
Visit ExpoCityDubai.com
BEST FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS:
M One
This cosy neighbourhood hotel puts on a delicious buffet for those who want an easy-going atmosphere. The spread ranges from hot and cold mezze to the famous slow roasted lamb ouzi, as well as live stations dishing up shawarmas, falafel wraps, shish tawook, kofta, and seafood. If you prefer a more secluded iftar, book a private space in the new ballroom or on the first-floor terrace.
AED 159
Visit MillenniumPlaceBH.com
BEST FOR AL FRESCO DINING:
The Ramadan Garden
Returning to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel this year is The Ramadan Garden, a tranquil spot that overlooks the ocean and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Choose from Middle Eastern dishes cooked at live stations while music is performed by qanun and oud players. Good news for parents: there’s a children’s play area filled with arts and crafts, face painting, games and an outdoor cinema.
AED 275
Visit Jumeirah.com
BEST FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS:
Asateer Tent
Of the many iftar offerings in Dubai, the indulgent feast at Asateer Tent has become a little bit cult during the holy month. Every Ramadan, the team at Atlantis The Palm erect a huge tent to host a spectacular iftar buffet. The food is best described as international in style, but it’s the juice selection people often talk about the most.
AED 270 Monday-Thursday; AED 290 Friday-Sunday
Visit Atlantis.com
BEST FOR ESCAPING THE CITY:
Epicure
Ramadan is a time for peaceful reflection so a trip out of Dubai into the green polo fields at the 64-hectare Melia Desert Palm is just the ticket. The iftar buffet at Epicure keeps things simple with an enticing selection of Arabic hits including lentil soup, shish tawook, fish harra and lamb ouzi, concluding with baklava, umm ali and a live kunafa station.
AED 199
Visit Melia.com
BEST FOR BLOWING-THE-BUDGET:
Bab Al Yam
This chilled restaurant at the city’s starriest hotel has an open kitchen, outdoor and indoor seating, and a fantastic view of the pool deck below. Bab Al Yam’s culinary team oversees an international iftar buffet with live cooking stations and Turkish ice cream, while a live qanun player provides the soundtrack.
AED 399
Visit Jumeirah.com
BEST IN ABU DHABI:
Aqua
With welcoming tables for large groups, gentle Arabic music from an oud player and interactive cooking stations, the vibe at Aqua leans strongly towards the convivial. As the sun sets behind the impressive Abu Dhabi skyline, a luxurious iftar begins with all the traditional dishes typically served during the holy month.
AED 255
Visit RosewoodHotels.com
BEST FOR MIDDLE EASTERN CHARM:
Ewaan
When Ramadan rolls around, one of the first places to get booked up is Ewaan at the opulent Palace Downtown. This Ramadan, iftar at Ewaan at the foot of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain is accompanied by an oud player and an Arabic singer. Take in the comforting aromas of traditionally baked Arabic bread as you figure out which of the soups, hot and cold mezze, sizzling seafood and meats straight off the grill to try.
AED 295
Visit AddressHotels.com
BEST SURROUNDINGS:
Suq
Walking into this resort on Jumeirah Beach is a real ‘wow’ moment – and it’s a feeling that extends to the upscale iftar at Suq, which takes the form of a bustling market. Dishes reflect the continents, from the Middle East through Indonesia and onto Europe. To enjoy the music from the three-piece band, try to find a table on the terrace.
AED 410
Visit FourSeasons.com
BEST FOR VINTAGE:
Open Sesame
The tangle of alleyways in Old Dubai are the inspiration behind this iftar at Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown, a quirky spot between D3 and Dubai Mall that plays on the heritage of the city with contemporary displays of street art. At the hotel’s Open Sesame restaurant, you’ll find Arabic mixed grills and kebabs, the spicy seafood dish samak harra, dajaj bil laban (chicken cooked with yoghurt) and classic chicken biryani.
AED 185
Visit IHG.com
BEST FOR PERSIAN GLAMOUR:
Enigma
A little way out of the city on Dubai Creek, Palazzo Versace’s superb Persian restaurant Enigma is serving an iftar set menu this year. Staying true to authentic Persian cuisine designed by executive chef Mansour Memarian, Enigma serves dishes that transport guests to another time, the epitome of which is sabzi khordan, a famous blend of homemade Persian cheese, roasted Persian bread, fresh herbs, walnuts and dates.
AED 250
Visit PalazzoVersace.ae
BEST FOR THE STYLE SET:
Gaia
Gaia is one of those Dubai restaurants where diners constantly stop by tables to say a quick hello to someone they know. A true networking spot for the style set, Gaia presents an a la carte iftar of Greek favourites this Ramadan. Kick things off with a typically Greek dakos salad of tomatoes, capers, olives and cucumber with rusk biscuits, feta cheese, all drizzled with olive oil from the chef’s personal olive grove in Greece. Next, try the baked feta cheese dip with cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers and sprinklings of chilli, basil and mint. Among the mains are a satisfying slow cooked lamb neck, or king crab tagliatelle with garlic and butter, followed by a dessert platter including rice pudding and wonderful homemade baklava.
A la carte prices.
Visit Gaia-Restaurants.com
BEST ITALIAN:
Raffles Dubai
The spectacular Raffles hotel on The Palm is letting its Italian beach club shine this Ramadan with an iftar of southern Italian classics. The menu at Piatti by the Beach begins with starters such as caprese and vitello, followed by penne arrabbiata, veal Milanese, and rich tiramisu or sticky date and caramel tart.
AED 300
Visit Raffles.com
BEST FOR BEACH CLUBBERS:
Koko Bay
If you want to gather with friends for a more relaxed iftar, make a booking at Koko Bay. The Bali-inspired beach club is one of the most chilled destinations on the boardwalk of West Palm Beach and this Ramadan, it’s serving an a la carte iftar menu. As the sun sets over the city skyline, you can enjoy soups, hot and cold starters, salads, fresh seafood, grills and maki rolls. Sharing the generous dessert platter with your toes in the sand is the perfect finale.
A la carte prices.
Visit KokoBay.co
BEST DESERT ADVENTURE:
Zarb
Just 20 minutes south of Dubai Marina sits JA The Resort, a secluded and laidback beachfront hotel that is honouring Ramadan this year with a Bedouin-style iftar. Go back in time to when tribespeople roamed the desert at this memorable iftar of traditional flavours and warm Arabic hospitality.
AED 400
Visit JAResortHotels.com
BEST FOR CHILDREN:
Bricks
For a big day out this Ramadan, pair your iftar with a day out at Legoland Dubai. After exploring the mammoth theme park, head to Bricks family restaurant for a fun iftar the kids will enjoy. Start with harira soup from Morocco or lentil soup from Lebanon with freshly baked bread, then move onto hot starters like cheese fatayer, zaatar manakeesh and falafel. Choose from an array of cold mezze such as beetroot hummus, tabbouleh and seafood salad. Grab a fresh shawarma from the live cooking station, enjoy the hearty lamb ouzi or savour the seafood paella. A children’s menu offers all the classics like chicken popcorn, mini burgers, mac and cheese and pizza, followed by the addictive umm ali, baklava, mango mousse and lotus cheesecake for dessert.
AED 185
Visit Legoland.com
BEST FOR SEA VIEWS:
Levantera
This hugely popular beach resort on The Palm is putting on a sumptuous iftar spread this Ramadan on its terrace. Live grill stations are a highlight at Levantera, especially when accompanied by a live oud player. The friendly restaurant has also created a dessert souk for those with a sweet tooth, and will have an on-site henna artist on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
AED 225
Visit Marriott.com
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