Hotels and restaurants go all out to offer both a la carte and buffet menus for those observing the daylong fast.
Food has always enjoyed a dominant status in human civilisation. It has defined our roots, relationships and our beliefs. Food also has spiritual significance in different religions, including Islam. In fact, during Ramadan, iftar signals the end of the daylong fast observed by Muslims across the world. People break their fast by eating a few dates and drinking water, which is then followed by prayers and the main iftar meal. Suhoor is the other meal, which is consumed in the early hours of the morning (before sunrise prior to observing the daily fast).
Iftar and suhoor are generally served at home. However, hotels and restaurants across the UAE also create elaborate iftar buffets and suhoor meals for their patrons. For instance, guests visiting Crowne Plaza Dubai enjoy their iftar even more considering that for each guest who dines at the hotel for iftar, the hotel is donating Dh20 to Manzil, a school for children with special needs. Patrons can look forward to the ambience of a traditional heritage village created at the hotel. The hotel's feast is priced at Dh130 (terms and conditions apply), and includes shisha, majlis tents, oud entertainment, henna artists and a traditional Arabian art exhibition.
Special menu
The Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is also celebrating the spirit of Ramadan this year by offering generous rates on selected rooms and dining offers. "Kempinski has always taken pride in participating the culture and traditions of the areas in which we operate. Ramadan is the most important date in the Middle Eastern calendar and we embrace this opportunity to provide our guests with a comfortable sanctuary and authentic festive cuisine during this period," says Michael Henssler, General Manager, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates.
Guests can try Sezzam's daily iftar buffet offers for Dh138, which includes soft drinks. Sezzam is open from 11.30am to 7.30pm, serving an a la carte menu in a screened area. The Aspen Café is serving an array of salads and sandwiches throughout the day, along with other delicacies. The 24Seven Restaurant, is also offering a special menu featuring Arabic mezzeh. The Burj Al Arab is also a perfect setting for iftar. Located in the world's tallest atrium, Al Iwan is the perfect place for an iftar buffet with a wide range of gourmet dishes.
Traditional Arabic delicacies are on offer at Dh375 per person from sunset until midnight. Bookings are available for individuals and groups of up to 25 guests. A sumptuous buffet featuring a wide selection of traditional delicacies is available for group bookings at the Al Falak Ballroom, which is located on the 27th floor of the hotel. The buffet is priced at Dh425 per person. Guests also have the option to enjoy a three course set iftar menu with silver service at Dh375 per person.
The award-winning Lebanese restaurant at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Al Nafoorah, features a lavish buffet (Dh155 per person) of traditional Lebanese favourites and live cooking together with iftar beverages and mineral water. Diners can also try a traditional iftar buffet at Mosaico. At the Madinat Jumeirah's Al Muna restaurant, iftar buffet dishes offer a range of international and regional cuisines, served in a traditional Arabian ambience. Alternatively, diners can partake of the iftar buffet (Dh160 per person) at Arboretum. At Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, guests can enjoy a lavish suhoor meal in the comfort of their rooms for Dh800.
Ramadan celebrations at Al Hadheerah at the resort include traditional entertainment by an Arabic band, Tanoura Dervish folk dancing and belly dancing. The iftar buffet features a variety of live Arabic cooking stations, including succulent slow-cooked meats, freshly baked breads from the wood-fired oven and a range of mezzeh dishes.
The Jumeirah Beach Hotel's outdoor marquee, Diwan Al Khaya, set on the shores of the Arabian Gulf reflects the ambience of an Arab souq with the buzzing ambience of a local bazaar this Ramadan. The iftar buffet (Dh155 per person) at venue features a sumptuous spread of traditional Arabic cuisine. An a la carte suhoor menu, which is served at your table, is available through the night.
Park Hyatt Dubai as part of their 'Nights by the Marina' theme has air-conditioned terraces, which offer a full Ramadan menu, with cold and hot mezzeh, including such traditional favourites as falafel and shawarma and a variety of freshly baked saj bread (zaatar and olive oil, akawi and haloumi cheese, minced meat with pine nuts and labneh, tomato and olives) and a good dessert menu. 'Nights by the Marina' run from 8pm to 3am, and have a minimum consumption charge per person.
Café Arabesque is also offering a rich Arabic iftar buffet offering more than 40 different kinds of cold and hot mezze, (including dajaj bil khoudra, lesanat, kibdet dajaj and roubian bil lemon) two soups, (including shorbet khoudar and Moroccan harira), ouzi, rotisserie dishes, carvings, kebabs and over 10 main courses. Iftar at Arabesque is available daily from sundown to 7.30pm and is priced at Dh145 per person, including soft drinks, or Dh75 for children aged six and above, including drinks. A choice of five iftar menus will be offered on a rotational basis.
Arabic hospitality
Al Dawaar at the Hyatt Regency, Dubai, is offering a wide selection of Arabic dishes from their extensive iftar buffet. The iftar buffet, available from sunset to 8pm is priced at Dh120 exclusive drinks. Prices start from Dh150 for lunch and Dh185 for dinner, exclusive of drinks, from 8.30pm onwards. You can also book one of the Shahrzad's exclusive dining rooms to celebrate iftar with family, friends and colleagues in a private setting.
The Laylati Café at the Grand Hyatt Dubai also has a real treat for people at iftar. The ornate Ramadan tent on Grand Hyatt Dubai's events lawn is an ideal setting for diners, who can take their pick from traditional Arabic cuisine, snacks, special Arabic sweets, fresh juices and Ramadan drinks all within the spectacularly themed and air-conditioned tent. The menu is a la carte, plus a cover charge of Dh25 on weekdays and Dh35 on weekends.
Ramadan at the Mövenpick Hotel Bur Dubai in the traditional atmosphere of the Layali tent is also fun. Diners can tease their taste buds at any of the live cooking stations and try cuisine from Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia and Kuwait. A live three-piece band, shisha and traditional zam zam water served upon arrival are part of the offer. There will also be a separate area available for children to enjoy themselves.
You can also enjoy a sumptuous iftar meal at Dunes Café at the Shangri-La Hotel during Ramadan. An extensive selection of Ramadan favourites served at the café includes an Arabic mixed grill, a foul station, and a shawarma and falafel sandwich station — all for only Dh144 per person (inclusive of unlimited local Arabic beverages). Diners can also try a traditional Moroccan family iftar at Marrakech with wholesome harira soup accompanied with different breads, tables laden with traditional Moroccan salads and fluffy pastries stuffed with mince meat and almonds and the savoury sweet pastilla. The Moroccan family iftar is available daily during the month of Ramadan for Dh144 per person inclusive of unlimited selected beverages.
The Junction at Traders Hotel, Dubai is featuring a special iftar buffet from September 12 to October 13. Served just after maghrib, guests can enjoy home-made hot and cold mezzeh, charcoal-grilled speciality dishes, such as hammour, beef steak, lamb chops and shrimps, chicken tikka, roasted quail, Iranian kubidhe kebab, barbequed chicken and pan-fried salmon fillet, and other traditional Arabic sweets and desserts. In addition, diners have the opportunity of winning the grand lucky draw prize of a two-night stay including breakfast at Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman. Priced at only Dh85.
The newly opened Corp Executive Hotel in Al Barsha also has some tempting offers lined up for the month of Ramadan. A delicious open iftar buffet is being served between sunset and 8pm, which includes traditional favourites such as roast lamb and oriental rice, beef maklouba, kofta and shish tawouk, kunafa, kataief and baklawa. This extensive buffet is offered for Dh55 per person. Suhoor at Mood restaurant is available until 4am.
Ramadan celebrations at the JW Marriott can also bring rewards. If you book 200 guests or more for iftar or suhoor, you could win a free trip from Dubai to Jeddah, including a week's stay at the Jeddah Marriott for Omra. The booking will need to be for a minimum of 200 guests at the menu price of Dh120 per person. The offer includes return airfares with Saudi Arabian Airlines, as well as a week's stay at the Jeddah Marriott.
Traditional spread
Mays El Reem and The Market Place also offer something to look forward to during Ramadan. Both restaurants are offering buffets, live cooking stations and shisha service through the month. Families and individuals can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, Ramadan beverages and delicious traditional Arabic cuisine at Mays Al Reem (Dh125), and The Market Place (Dh148), including soft drinks and juices. Awafi, Marriott's rooftop Arabic Café is open exclusively for groups of 50 or more in the evenings during Ramadan. Awafi is also offering an á la carte menu. In addition, every Thursday and Friday during Ramadan, Awafi offers a suhoor buffet for Dh98, and Dh118, including soft drinks and juices from 8pm until 1.30 am.
The Courtyard by Marriott is also a good venue to enjoy iftar and suhoor during Ramadan. You can try the Pine Grill's iftar feast, while enjoying unlimited shisha at the pool terrace. For the duration of Ramadan, Rendezvous Lounge is serving a special Arabic mezzeh menu right through to 5am. Suhoor is available from 2 to 5am for guests who are fasting. Both The Bar and Aquamarine is serving a special Arabic mezzeh menu, as well as their regular menu during Ramadan.
Patrons at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Dubai Media City can also have an iftar meal in keeping with the tradition of Middle Eastern hospitality at Chef's House. The restaurant features a special iftar buffet from sundown until 8.30 pm.
The Khaimat al Qasr Ramadan tent at the Emirates Palace terrace in Abu Dhabi is also a luxurious destination for an iftar and suhoor buffet. The spread includes an exquisite mix of Ramadan favourites and popular Arabic fare such as hot and cold mezzeh, grilled dishes, salads, soups, fateer, fresh juices and delicious selection of desserts. The iftar buffet is priced at Dh60 per person and the suhoor buffet is priced at Dh100 per person.
Special offers on room rates as well as iftar treats at Kempinski Hotel Ajman also make this a good destination. In the evenings, guests can sit back and enjoy a relaxed evening with friends at the hotel's spacious and comfortable Ramadan tent. Guests can also sample delicious Arabic food specialities and traditional drinks and juices at the daily iftar buffet from 6.30 to 8pm for Dh98 per person. After 8pm, the Ramadan tent offers a special that features a range of grilled delights, refreshing juices and delicious Arabic mezzeh (subject to an entry fee of Dh25 per person).
- Note: Prices of special deals and offers may vary. Please check with the hotels and restaurants for exact prices.
