The ultimate guide to iftars in the UAE

The start of Ramadan 2023 is expected to be on March 22. If you are looking for ideas to take part in the celebrations and enjoy unforgettable iftars with your family and loved ones, here are out top picks.

SLS Dubai

During the holy month of Ramadan, SLS Dubai welcomes you to gather your friends and family and head up to the 75th floor to find SLS’ Iftar Tent, where you can break your fast while taking in the marvellous views of the city. The traditional Arabic-style tent is decorated with luxurious couches, vibrant lamps, and beautiful Arabian rugs. It is adorned with gold and has a flourish of the distinctive SLS design and accents.

AED185 per person. Visit the website or Instagram

Time Out Market Dubai

Time Out Market Dubai is introducing a special Ramadan menu to celebrate the special occasion. Each of the Market’s 17 chefs and restaurant concepts will be offering a variety of exclusive dishes and Ramadan specials, transforming the Market into the ideal setting to celebrate with friends and family and to indulge in culinary delights prepared by some of Dubai’s best homegrown foodie favourites.

March 22 until April 21. Visit the website or Instagram

Rixos The Palm

Celebrate Ramadan in style with a exquisite Turkish Iftar Buffet at A La Turca inside Rixos The Palm. Indulge in unlimited Turkish delights hot and cold mezze, soups, salads and Ramadan juices.

From AED275 per person. Call +9714 457 5454 and visit the website or Instagram

Vida Creek Harbour

Get together cheerfully with loved ones and family for a unique Iftar experience at The Courtyard terrace. Enjoy a sumptuous Iftar meal that includes traditional Middle Eastern cuisine and a selection of energizing Ramadan juices. Enjoy the stunning views of Dubai Marina, Dubai Creek, and the Burj Khalifa after dinner while listening to traditional music. Hubbly bubbly, which is provided upon request, offers flavourful wisps to complete the experience.

Sunset to 9pm. AED210 per person. Children from 6 to 12 years old dine with 50% off. Children under 6 years old dine for free. Visit the website or Instagram

Address Sky View

Enjoy a sumptuous Iftar at The Restaurant, which is situated on the lobby floor of Address Sky View, with your loved ones. This cozy gourmet restaurant will feature classic Iftar favorites from its live station buffet and boasts vistas worth marveling at. Choose from a wide variety of delicacies, international favorites, and specialty meals, such as mezze, sushi, salads, main dishes, desserts, and freshly squeezed Ramadan juices.

Sunset to 9 pm. AED260 per person. 50% discount for ages 6 – 12. 5 years and below free of charge. Emaar discount applicable only for the first week. Call +9714 8738 888 or email DineAtSkyView@addresshotels.com. Visit the website or Instagram

Al Mashow, Dubai Parks™ and Resorts

This traditional Emirati seafood restaurant, located in the centre of Riverland™, offers an authentic outdoor Iftar buffet with a variety of dishes such as Emirati Chicken Machbous and Dawoud Basha, as well as a live barbeque station with lamb kofta, sherry fish, chicken wings, and a refreshing beverage station with classics like Jallab, Qamar Al Fine, Tamer Al Hendi, and more.

March 31 to April 20 from 7-9pm. From AED95 per adult. AED45 per child (6 to 10 years old). Children under 5 eat free. Visit the website or Instagram

Bull & Bear

This renowned restaurant has modified its popular regular menu with an Arabic flair for the Holy Month.  Classic dishes such as Josper grilled flat bread with dips, red lentil soup, and Bull & Bear’s version of an Iftar mixed grill are all included in the à la carte Iftar menu. Together with the traditional fare, you can also try delectable dishes such as lamb melanzane, homemade Mediterranean oriental rice, and some sweet treats like cheese kunafa, Arabian date sticky toffee pudding and carrot sliced baklava.

Waldorf Astoria DIFC. From sunset to 8:30pm. AED245 per person. Call +9714 515 9888 and visit the website or Instagram

Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island

A lavish Iftar Buffet will be served during Ramadan at Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island’s Jais Ballroom, which will be transformed to celebrate for the occasion. The Iftar buffet, has been carefully chosen by a team of chefs and includes a mouthwatering range of classic dishes such soups, salads, hot and cold mezze, ouzi, tandoori specialties and mixed grills.

From sunset to 8.30pm. AED150 per adult. AED75 for children aged between 6 and 12. Children under 6 dine for free.  Larger parties will avail of a special group discount. Call +9717 246 0000 and visit the website or Instagram

Address Fountain Views

Head off to The Restaurant at Address Fountain Views for a memorable Iftar with friends and family. Enjoy spectacular views of the iconic Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain Expect while you indulge in an expansive buffet filled with traditional Middle Eastern cuisine and live cooking stations, plus gentle background music and impeccable ambience.

Sunset to 9pm. AED250 per person. Children aged 6 to 12 years avail of 50% discount. Free for children under 5. Call +9714 245 8888 and visit the website or Instagram

Farzi Dubai

In honour of the holy month of Ramadan, Farzi Dubai will be serving an Iftar menu full of the tantalizing culinary surprises that diners have come to expect from this modern Indian eatery. Farzi’s extravagant sharing-style feast aims to unite families and friends with delightful dishes such as a tangy and cooling kale and mango salad topped with Greek yoghurt, pecans, pomegranate seeds and avocado bhel pur, sweet and sour rice puffs with creamy avocado and crunchy corn flakes, Palak Paneer Croquettes and chicken biryani laced with lemon zest and Afghani Pista Korma.

From March 23 until the end of Ramadan. AED150 per person for a minimum of two. Visit the website or Instagram

Weslodge Saloon City Walk

This elegant venue provides a laid-back yet classy environment and is ideal for family-style iftar feasts. With customary dates and a chilled glass of laban to start, family and friends can break their fasts together with exquisite dishes such as a creamy truffle mushroom soup with caramelized onions, croutons, a poached quail’s egg and kale chips, golden arancini stuffed with saffron lamb, half an organic baby chicken with creamy mash, charred broccolini and truffled gravy and Halwayoo fish with cauli, crunchy picked endives and pine nuts.

March 23 to April 23 (after sunset). 200AED per person for four courses. Call +9715 0731 9808 and visit the website or Instagram

Flat12 Cafe

This chic coffee shop, bistro, store, and vehicle gallery, will be serving a special four-course iftar menu during the holy month. The kid-friendly restaurant will provide Middle Eastern cuisine together with worldwide specialties and Arabic coffee. The Za’atar Flatbread, Musakhan Sumac Chicken, Penne Arrabbiata, Salted Caramel Dates Cheesecake, Aseeda, and Fizzy Vimto are some of the restaurant’s standout dishes. Also, you can reserve the Flat12 Majlis, which can accommodate up to 12 people and features a Carrom board, wide-screen TV, video and board games.

From 6-8pm. AED110 per person. Visit Instagram

Copthorne Lakeview Hotel

Enjoy an authentic feast of flavours while honouring Ramadan customs at this stunning hotel from sunset until dawn. Expect a tantalizing Iftar Buffet with a variety of hot and cold favourites, live cooking stations and desserts. For every two iftar buffets consumed on the premises, the hotel is also providing a great overnight stay as part of its “Come for Iftar and Spend the Night” promotion.

From sunset until 9pm. Two iftar buffets for AED169 per person. AED85 per child. Call +9714 8852 222 and visit the website or Instagram

Al Nafoorah

Al Nafoorah’s traditional and magnificent iftar set menu brings you to the culturally rich Lebanon. On the wraparound patio, surrounded by exquisite décor, take in the panoramic views and live Oud music while you savour Lebanese specialties.

Jumeirah Al Qasr. From sunset to 8pm. AED295 per person. AED150 for kids below 12 years old. AED285 per person for bookings with 10 guests and above. Visit the website or Instagram

Al Iwan

Celebrate the holy month at this classic Arabic restaurant located inside the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Indulge in a traditional Arabic iftar with the greatest Arabesque cuisine.

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. From sunset to 10:30pm. AED380 per person. AED 190 for kids between 3 – 11 years old. Visit the website or Instagram

The Ramadan Garden

Experience a show that combines live fire cooking with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions, as well as live Oud music at this enchanting venue to celebrate Ramadan.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel. From sunset to 9pm. AED295 per person (Friday – Sunday). AED 275 per person (Monday – Thursday). AED 135 for kids. Group Iftar bookings available at the private majlis with a capacity of 10 guests and minimum spend of AED4,500. Visit the website or Instagram

Boaz

Enjoy a three-course or five-course set menu that showcases unparalleled flavors and unique beverages, bringing the heart of Istanbul to the table to honour Ramadan.

City Walk. From sunset to 8:30pm. Three-course menu at AED135 per person and five-course set menu at AED175 per person. Visit the website or Instagram

Swissotel Al Ghurair

Executive Sous Chef Sharif Awad of Swissotel Al Ghurair, known for its lavish Iftar buffet every year, invites you to continue the tradition of breaking your fast with friends and family at Liwan restaurant. The traditional “majlis” setup, which serves dates and Arabic coffee and welcomes you at the restaurant door, serves as a reminder of the long-standing Bedouin customs.

AED159 per adult. AED79 for children between 6 to 12 years. Visit the website or Instagram

Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection

This Ramadan, Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection offers an extraordinary experience that combines culture and culinary delights. The hotel, which is situated on the pristine Jumeirah Beach, invites you to indulge their senses while taking in traditional Arabic fare and real Ramadan flavours in a mesmerizing outdoor setting and beneath the stars.

Sunset to 9pm. Iftar buffet for AED190 per person. Visit the website or Instagram

Trump International Golf Club

At the picturesque Trump International Golf Club in DAMAC Hills, celebrate the spirit of Ramadan while making unforgettable memories with your loved ones. With an extravagant Iftar buffet featuring genuine Arabic cuisine, guests are invited to fully engage their senses and experience culinary finesse.

Enjoy the expertly prepared Iftar buffet’s classic Arabic specialities combined with regional flavours. Take advantage of a sumptuous spread that includes a variety of hot and cold appetizers, crisp salads, mouth-watering main courses, BBQ kebab and bread stations, scrumptious desserts, and refreshing beverages.

From sunset to 9pm daily. AED145 per person for guests. AED 125 per person for members. Visit the website or Instagram