I’ve been fortunate to have attended a number of Iftars this Ramadan, and it’s been pretty challenging keeping the weighing-scale in check!
Living in Dubai, foodies are truly blessed with the plethora of dining options and today’s post is a round-up of some of the scrumptious Iftars I’ve had the pleasure of trying this past few weeks.
Iftar Buffets
The Oberoi
Five-star service with an ambience to suit, the Iftar buffet at The Oberoi features an extensive array of Arabic favorites coupled with signature dishes from the hotel’s well-loved Indian restaurant Ananta, and Japanese restaurant Umami.
Must Try: Don’t miss the drama of the dessert counter! Featuring molecular gastronomy reinvented with Ramadan-esque tastes in mind, Chef Rajeev’s Inside-Out takes the humble Umm Ali to a completely new sci-fi dimension. I would also recommend the freeze-dried Pomegranate Meringue. Read all about it here.
Cost: AED 220 per person.
Barjeel Al Arab
Revisit the charms of the hospitable past with an Iftar at Barjeel Al Arab. Set in a restored historical site, enjoy Majlis-style dining sitting on Bedouin rugs and helping yourself to a traditional Arabic feast.
Muslims and Non-Muslims alike can get a real feel of the essence of Ramadan here, and the Iftar includes a tour of a historic mosque near the premises. Read more about it here.
Must Try: The traditional Chicken Pilaf was the highlight of the meal. It was hearty, filling and full of simple yet delicious Arabic flavors.
Cost: AED 99 per person.
Dusit Thani
The 5-star hotel chain originating from Thailand offers a scrumptious Arabic buffet for Iftar, and includes a number of delicious Thai dishes from the hotel’s Thai restaurant, Benjarong. Read more about it here.
Must Try: Although not very photogenic, the Beef Masaman and the Thai Duck curry at the buffet have me salivating!
Cost: The Iftar buffet at Dusit Thani costs AED 149 per person.
Ramada Plaza JBR
Ramada Plaza JBR offers a wide variety of Arabic dishes for Iftar along with live entertainment. Read more here.
Must Try: Those with adventurous taste-buds and an inkling for all things meaty should try the Goat’s Tongue salad!
Cost: The Iftar buffet at Ramada Plaza JBR is priced at AED 149 per person. Right now, you can get an even better deal of AED 85 per person via Cobone.
Millennium Plaza Hotel
The Iftar buffet here includes many Arabic favorites as well as a number of Indian curries, and a live station for a customized stir-fry from the Far East.
Must Try: Make up your own Asian treat at the live counter!
Cost: AED 165 per person.
Reem Al Bawadi
An ideal choice for a wide variety of very traditionally Arabic dishes, Reem Al Bawadi’s ambiance itself transports you back to a far off land somewhere in fictionous Arabian Nights. Read more about it here.
Must Try: I dare you to try the fiery red paprika feta!
Cost: AED 130 per person.
‘The Eatery’ at Four Points by Sheraton, Sheikh Zayed Road
Apart from the regular Arabic Iftar fare, the buffet at ‘The Eatery’ offers a number of spicy dishes from the subcontinent. I was also psyched to find two salmon dishes on offer here! Read more about it here.
Must Try: The salmon in white sauce.
Cost: Priced at AED 130 per person (with a special offer for 2 people dining for free for every 10 guests).
Panorama Restaurant at Emirates Grand
A predominantly Arabic buffet, Iftar at Panorama offers great tasting food with a view. Read more about it here.
Must Try: The meaty Arabic pilaf.
Cost: The Iftar buffet at Panorama Restaurant, Emirates Grand Hotel costs AED 120 per person, and AED 60 for children aged between 7 to 11 years old. The buffet is free for children aged below six years, and for every group of 10, one guests dines for free.
Iftar Set Menus
La Residence Restaurant and Lounge (Raffles Dubai)
If you’re planning a fine-dining experience this Ramadan and love French cuisine, this is the place to visit. The beautifully theatrical ambiance besotting a fine French brasserie makes it ideal for a very special date night.
For Ramadan, the restaurant has a set menu with a choice for the mains. For more details, look here.
Must Try: With a menu created by Michelin Star Chef Vardon, every dish that came to the table was a masterpiece. If we go by table drama (and Instagram-worthy sighs of delight!) I would narrow it down to the Chaud-Froid Silver Leaf Organic Soft-Boiled Egg.
Cost: AED 220 per person.
Non-Arabic Iftar Options
La Residence Restaurant and Lounge (Raffles Dubai)
As above, for French fine-dining at its best!
The Farm, Al Barari
Set in very scenic Al Barari, the restaurant staunchly believes in serving freshly made dishes and therefore refuses to do buffet-style catering. A special a la carte menu has been created for Ramadan, and it includes a few revamped Arabic dishes, as well as a number of Thai and Intercontinental creations. Read more about it here.
Must Try: The Camel Kofta Dawood Basha.
Cost: This is an a la carte menu, and does not have a fixed cost.
Chili’s
Chili’s, the iconic Tex-Mex chain, is a good idea for any occasion! Try out their set 3-course menu for Iftar for as low as AED 99 per person.
Iftars with a Cause
The Oberoi
The Oberoi has come up with the SLOW initiative (Sustainable, Local, Organic and Wholesome) with a primary aim to support the local agricultural community, use fresh organic produce, and reduce carbon footprint by sourcing ingredients from indigenous farms.
Holiday Inn (Barsha, Dubai)
Priced at just AED 109 per person, an Iftar at Holiday Inn Barsha is not only delicious, but gives back to the community as well. Every sale proceeds to feed one needy person with the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP).
Citi Bank turned 10 in June. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Citi’s Global Community Day, over 200 volunteers from Citi, Holiday Inn, Alcatel Onetouch and Bloomberg shared a meal with 150 low income workers at the start of Ramadan at The Gem Garden restaurant, Holiday Inn Barsha. To mark the occasion, Alcatel Onetouch donated 150 phones, Citi provided an additional 150 SIM cards and Holiday Inn donated toiletries to the EFS workers.
Reem Al Bawadi
Patrons at Reem Al Bawadi are urged to add an additional AED 20 to their bill, and the proceeds go to feeding laborers throughout the month of Ramadan.
Nando’s
Buy an ‘Altogether Now’ platter at Nandos, and the entire proceeds will be donated to Dubai Cares.
