While we won’t pretend that the non-faster’s plight during Ramadan is anything like that of our Muslim friends, things can certainly get tricky when it comes to grabbing a quick morning or midday bite during the Holy Month. With half the city on holiday and most of the rest operating evening-only buffets, many households and offices are left slurping Pot Noodles like it’s the End of Days, occasionally glancing at the calendar to check how many days are left before life returns to normal. Luckily, there are a select handful of places offering discreet eat-in and takeaway services during daylight hours. So put down the Bombay Bad Boy and get these places on your schedule instead.
Mirabel
Given that Ramadan has fallen smack bang in the middle of summer this year, chances are you’ll soon resort to phoning your meals in, rather than take your chances with the flesh-searing midday sun. When this happens (and believe us, it will happen), this elegant café in Marks & Spencer Mall is well worth looking into, especially if you’re the office’s designated gourmet. As well as sandwiches and pastries, the menu – which you can browse and order from online – includes the likes of tenderloin steak and seafood pasta.
Best dish: We’re big fans of the Mirabel Burger (topped with caramelised onions and ginger-tomato ketchup), while TOAD’s resident veggie swears by the goat’s cheese and grilled vegetable tartine.
Marks & Spencer Mall. Delivery available noon-late. Iftar menu, cakes and pastries available from sunset www.mirabel.ae (02 631 5111).
Jones the Grocer
Just as it did last year, the coolest café in the capital will be opening its doors throughout the month of August, eagerly feeding those who’ve come to rely on its well-stocked patisserie and roster of rustic, filling sandwiches. Opening times vary for the three different branches (see below), with most offering a takeaway-only service during the mornings, but drop in at the weekend and you’ll be fed like a prince throughout the day.
Best dish: The eggs benedict makes for an excellent way to start the day, but whatever you order, be sure to stop by the walk-in cheese chiller and pick up a slab or two to nibble on for the rest of the month.
Al Mamoura branch (02 443 8762) open weekdays 8am-9am for coffee and pastry (takeaway only), then 9am-11pm. Weekends 10am-11pm. Khalidiyah branch (02 639 5883) open weekdays 10am-11.30am for coffee and pastry (takeaway only), then 11.30am-11pm. Weekends 9am-11pm. Al Raha Gardens branch (02 557 4882) open 10am-11.30am for coffee and pastry (takeaway only), then 11.30am-9.30pm. Weekends 10am-10pm.
Wasabi
Not such a hot tip for breakfast (unless of course you’re comfortable rocking up to work with raw fish on your breath), but drop into this authentically styled sushi joint for lunch and you’ll be fed very well indeed. Like most of the city during Ramadan, we wouldn’t expect the place to be busy. But then with tables hidden away behind sliding screen doors, you’ll hardly notice the low footfall as you tuck into a boat or two of maki, nigiri and sashimi.
Best dish: The nigiri selection makes perfect lunchtime fodder. Word of warning, though, Wasabi is liberal with its spicy green namesake, so eat carefully to avoid trudging back to the office with a nosebleed.
Al Diar Mina hotel. Open throughout Ramadan, noon-3pm, 6.30pm-11.30pm.
Spaccanapoli
With many cafés and bakeries shutting down for the month, chances are you’ll be skipping plenty of breakfasts in the coming weeks. The antidote? A gigantic lunch, of course, and this home-style pizzeria ought to sort out even the grumbliest of bellies. The metre-long pizza is the star attraction – call one into the workplace (they’re also offering a delivery service throughout the Holy Month) and watch your colleagues descend like jackals.
Best dish: The aforementioned über-pizza is a sure-fire winner, but for less ravenous appetites the antipasti buffet is also worth exploring.
Crowne Plaza, Hamdan Street. Open throughout Ramadan, 9am-11pm (02 616 6261).
Zaatar W Zeit
Yup – everyone’s favourite Lebanese-style fast food joint is marching on through August like an absolute trooper. Well, the delivery men are at least – they’ll fire up their mopeds and bring you your favourite comfort food any time, day or night for the duration of the month. Just remember that Morgan Spurlock already did the ‘burgers and chips all day every day’ experiment and the result wasn’t pretty.
Best dish: The gooey, gluttonous chicken and cheese wrap provides a decent calorific whack, which could come in handy if you’ll be waiting until after sunset for your next meal.
Abu Dhabi Mall. Open 6pm-5am. Delivery available 24/7 (600 522 231)
