For anyone who’s been in the UAE for a few years, whether observing fasts or not, the holy month of Ramadan changes the air in the city.

Working days get shorter, family gatherings get larger, meals become feasts and there’s a lingering sense of gratitude all around. In UAE, residents and visitors are at a fair advantage since the iftar menus range from Mexican, Middle Eastern to Peruvian.

Head out to these 10 iftars in UAE 2016 for Ramadan with cousins, friends and family:

1. Play it Peruvian @ Pollo Pollo Peruvian Kitchen

Try Peruvian authentic street food during Ramadan where a special Iftar menu lets you select your favorites for each course for a satiating 3-course meal. These are served with Arabic Coffee and Dates Juice, Laban & Water.

Appetizers: Pick between Creamy Chicken or Veg Empanadas, Fresh House Salad, Peruvian OR Lentil soup.

Main Course: Pick between

Pollo a la Brassa served with Papas Fritas and Salad
Combo Norteno- Quarter chicken served with Arroz Verde, Frijoles and Salsa Criolla
Seco de Cordero- A succulent lamb stew served with Frijoles and white rice

Desserts

Arroz con Leche- Peruvian rice pudding flavored with cinnamon, coconut and cloves
El Clasico- A combination of Arroz con Leche and Mazamorra Morada
Crema Volteada de Quinoa- Fluffy crème caramel infused with quinoa flower

When: All through Ramadan

Where: Umm Suqeim, Umm Al Sheif Street, Dubai

How much: AED 90 per person

Call: 04-4535254

2. Tap into British Cuisine @ Fortnum & Mason

Fancy a subtle English meal? Alongside an all-day dining menu, Fortnum & Mason’s Ramadan feast is crafted to share with salads, entrees, mains and desserts served in platters for 4.

Salads

English Asparagus with Sauce Gribiche,
Confit Duck and Quinoa Salad with Lemon Herbs Dressing (D)
Nicoise Salad, Pan-Seared Tuna (S, GF)

Hot Appetizers

Leeks and Stilton Tart (V)
Lentil Soup (GF)
Selection of Smoked Salmon & Prawns served with Horseradish Crème Fraîche (S)

Main Course

Selection of all 4 specials served in sharing portions

Dessert

Selection of Fortnum’s Mini Cakes (D)

When: All through Ramadan

Where: Downtown Dubai, near the Address Hotel

How much: AED 195 per person [4 pax minimum]

Call: 04 388 2627

3. Follow tradition @ Khaymat Al Bahar

Share traditional mezze with a mouth-watering Iftar buffet, shisha on the beach, unlimited Ramadan juices and complimentary valet parking.

The venue will serve traditional specialties like lentil soup, whole lamb ouzi, veal harres, hot and cold mezze, mixed grill, wardat cream, and um ali at live cooking stations or at the buffet.

When: Sundown to 8:30pm, All through Ramadan.

Where: Madinat Jumeirah [Easily accessible from Jumeirah Al Qasr by buggy or Abra]

How much: AED 195 per person

Call: +971 366 6730

4. Mix it up @ QD’s Ramadan Tent

Enjoy an intimate iftar or a grand suhour in the air-conditioned marquee at QD’s, from dishes like Marinated Shish Taouk, Hammour Saidia, Pizza and Pasta  to the popular live Ouzi station and special mocktails.

When: Iftar from sunset to 9pm,
A la carte Suhour from 9pm -1am,
Shisha from 8pm on

Where: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club

How much: AED 160 per adult (buffet, water and selected juices), AED 65 per child (6 to 12 years)

Call: +971 4 205 4500

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5. Give Indian a Shot @ Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor

Melia’s Dubai restaurant will offer a four-course Indian classics meal with an Arabesque touch. With a la carte menu and shisha, this is a notable option for families. Kickstarting with two Sherbets, Labneh and an assorted premium Date selection.

Appetizers

Rumani Paneer,
Masala Chaanch Rubiyan,
Mutton Shami Kebab or
Sumac Spiked Grilled Fish.

Main course

Kabuli Channa Gosht, Lalla Mussa Dal, Chicken Biryani and a Veggie Pot.

Desserts

Mahalabia, Phirnee and Chenna Angoori!

When: From sunset to 12am

Where: Melia Hotel, Dubai

How much: AED 149 per person

Call: 04 386 8111

6. Try a family-style lamb @ Pots, Pans & Boards

Enjoy a breeze, a seaside view and a Ramadan menu carefully curated by Michelin starred Chef Tom Aikens at Pots, Pans and Boards. Break your fast with dates, nuts and iced jallab served complimentary to all diners at sunset.

Then comes family style lamb mansaf and rice with mahalabiya and pistachio ice cream for dessert.

When: Sunset to 11pm, All through Ramadan

Where: The BEACH, JBR

How much: AED 145 for the family-style dishes

Call: 04 456 1959

7. Sample Japanese @ Sho Cho AD

Sho Cho Abu Dhabi offers an alternative to the traditional Iftar feast with three scrumptious Iftar Bento Boxes filled with traditional Japanese dishes.

Pick between Chicken Katsu Bento, Grilled Chicken Bento or Vegetarian Bento Box, packed with the signature appetizers, salad, authentic sushi, miso soup, pan Asian inspired main dish with curry and delicious Japanese pickle and date mocha ice cream.

When: Iftar to 8:30pm, All through Ramadan

Where: Qarayat Al Beri Between the Bridges

How much: AED 89 to AED 115 per box

Call: +971 2 558 1117

Note: Sho Cho Dubai will be closed during the holy month of Ramadan.

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8. Get Meaty @ Butcha Steakhouse & Grill

Feast on an Iftar semi-buffet at the beach-side steakhouse featuring a selection of starters including traditional Turkish dates with milk, mezzes and hot appetizers.

Mains include beef tenderloin or lamb chops, accompanied by a selection of breads. For desserts, relish traditional baklava or kemal pasa.

When: Iftar to 2am, All through Ramadan

Where: The BEACH, JBR

How much: AED 189 per person, discounted rate of AED 150 per person for group bookings

Call: 04 553 0684

9. Find delicate French food @ PAUL

Conveniently located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, if you’re shopping during Ramadan, there’s no better place to break your fast than PAUL. With a choice of soups and salads, you don’t have to compromise on health.

Mains include classic French options:
Ragoût de loup de mer (roasted seabass, carrot and fennel in a seafood bisque).
Medallions de boeuf et gratin de courgette (grilled beef medallions, gratinated marrow with vegetables and béchamel sauce) and more.

The desserts are an incomparable stand-alone treat:

Tartellette au flan vanille et banane (vanilla flan tartlet & banana),
Gateau au dates et caramel (dates caramel cake),
Mille-feuille au flan d’eau d’orange et framboises (raspberry flan mille-feuille),
Dates Éclair.

When: Iftar, All through Ramadan

Where: Dubai Mall, JBR The Walk, Abu Dhabi Mall and Yas Mall

How much: Varies

Call: 04 339 8036 [Dubai Mall]

10. Give Galletes a shot @ Markette Dubai

In a home-y ambience, try their crepes, galettes and healthy smoothies. Pick from a selection of mixed platters; Mexican, Asian, Indian, Fresh and Italian cuisines. The restaurant also offers takeaway for those not observing Ramadan from 11am onwards.

When: Iftar until 2AM for dine-in, All through Ramadan

Where: The Dubai Mall & BOXPARK

How much: Varies

Call: 04 3471847 [Boxpark]

Where have you had the best Iftar meal in the UAE? Tell us in the comments below. 

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