Think Ramadan is only about fasting and feasting? There’s a lot more to the Holy Month than that. There’s plenty you need to know to ensure you make the most out of this very spiritual period. Ramadan isn’t exclusively for Muslims, it’s a good time for everyone to get on board with the positive messages – being patient, kind, well-meaning and charitable. So spread the seasonal cheer by embracing local culture and Islamic traditions. Here’s where to go to make sure you have the best Ramadan ever
Top pick Emirates Palace
This year’s Ramadan tent at Emirates Palace will be able to seat 1,200 guests comfortably spread out with cosy enclaves, four private majlises, a large open dining area and a separate lounge area. The pavilion will be open day and night, first as a quiet space and then as a place to enjoy iftar and suhoor featuring dishes from executive chef Sandro Gamba including signature courses from Mezlai. Iftar is Dhs249 per person and suhoor is à la carte.
Ras Al Akhdar (02 690 7999).
Rosewood
Share the spirit of Ramadan with your friends and family at the newest Arabic venue in town. Enjoy iftar and suhoor with relaxing waterfront views at Sambusek restaurant. Iftar buffet starts at Dhs195 per person and their suhoor menu is Dhs125 minimum spend per person. If you want to give your work colleagues a special iftar experience overlooking the Arabian Gulf, Rosewood Abu Dhabi is offering a huge spread of traditional Arabic and regional delicacies, and they can cater for groups from 100 up to 700 guests.
Best for: A stylish Ramadan experience.
Sowwah Square, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5591).
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Oléa will offer Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and a relaxing setting for guests breaking their fast. Priced at Dhs185 per person, Oléa’s iftar buffet will feature a wide selection of courses, including fresh mezze and grilled seafood and meat. For corporate and group iftars, the resort’s Regal Ballroom is also available and can cater to groups ranging from a convivial 100 people to a grand 1,500 guests, with menus starting from Dhs185 per person.
Best for: Beach surroundings.
Saadiyat Island (02 498 8008).
Kwality
This Indian eatery down on Salaam Street will be serving a buffet every evening during Ramadan, comprising of soups, veggie and meat entrees and mains, along with a variety of breads and biryani plus desserts. It’ll set you back Dhs59 per person.
Best for: A big old curry blowout.
Al Markaziyah (02 672 337).
Grand Millennium Al Wahda
This hotel will be celebrating the Holy Month with a festive Ramadan tent. It costs Dhs139 per person for unlimited access to their iftar buffet, which includes sweets and Arabic juices. They will also be offering a 30 percent discount in their Al Wahda All Day Dining restaurant.
Best for: People shopping at the mall.
Al Wahda (02 443 9999).
Beach Rotana
Celebrate the Holy Month with an iftar buffet inspired by traditional Arabian-style at the Beach Rotana in Tourist Club. It promises to be a pretty lavish affair that will embody the spirit of Ramadan. The buffet will be served at Essence restaurant and will cost Dhs190 per person with the price subject to the usual 10 percent service charge and a six percent tourism fee.
Best for: Getting the whole family together.
Tourist Club Area (02 697 9011).
Ikea
Even this furniture store on Yas is getting into the spirit and will feature a special Dhs20 iftar meal (served after sunset). There’ll also be a donation box in association with Red Crescent to encourage the practice of sharing plus a Ramadan tent where co-workers will offer complimentary dates, coffee and traditional beverages to customers breaking their fast.
Best for: Giving to charity.
Yas Island (800 4532).
Westin Abu Dhabi
The Westin is offering a buffet at Fairways for Dhs185 per person, while at their Moroccan restaurant Agadir guests can enjoy Arabic food served Moroccan-style for Dhs185 per person. Also available will be shisha at the Agadir tent from 8.30pm for Dhs90 per person minimum spend. Groups of 40 or more are invited to celebrate iftar or suhoor with the menu costing Dhs160.
Best for: Iftar fun out of town.
Sas Al Nakhl (02 616 9999).
Royal Orchid
Fans of Asian food can tuck into a buffet every night during Ramadan of Thai, Chinese and Mongolian dishes, which will cost Dhs65 for adults, Dhs32 for kids under 12. Kids under six eat for free.
Best for: An Asian infused buffet.
Off Salaam Street (02 677 9911).
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Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
The Ritz-Carlton’s all-day dining restaurant will be transformed into a contemporary Arabian retreat with the option of indoor or covered outdoor seating. The vast buffet will offer an array of cold mezze, soups and salads. Suhoor guests will enjoy an à la carte menu including the same Arabic favourites, served family style. Their café Dolce will be a dessert and shisha haven and available for guests to enjoy late into the night. Iftar prices start from Dhs195. Kids four-ten years of age are charged Dhs50, ten-16 years of age it’s Dhs145. Kids under four years eat for free.
Best for: Relaxing with those closest to you.
Khor Al Maqta’a (02 818 8282).
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
The Sofitel on the Corniche will be serving French and Arabic cuisine at an extensive iftar buffet. Packages are Dhs155 per person. In the evening at the Layali El Corniche tent, suhoor à la carte dishes will be served from 9pm onwards and there’ll be music from a traditional oud player.
Best for: Live entertainment.
Corniche Road East (02 813 7777).
Le Royal Méridien
A daily iftar buffet will be served at Amalfi restaurant for Dhs145 per person, with group menus available on request. The suhoor tent will open daily after iftar and close at around 3am. There is a cover charge of Dhs35 per person on weekdays and Dhs50 per person on weekends including welcome beverages and selected starters, or pay Dhs175 for unlimited food and beverages from the à la carte menu.
Best for: Big groups.
Khalifa bin Zayed Street (800 101 101).
Park Hyatt
A buffet featuring Arabic mezze, international comfort food and desserts will be served throughout Ramadan for two hours from sunset at The Café. Until 10pm you can order from the restaurant’s à la carte menu and iftar is priced at Dhs170 per person including soft drinks and Dhs85 for children aged six-12.
Best for: An early night.
Saadiyat Island (02 407 1234).
Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri
The iftar buffet at Sofra Bld features a spread of Middle Eastern specialties and chefs demonstrating their expertise at live cooking stations. Priced at Dhs230 per person, it includes Ramadan beverages. For suhoor the beachfront tent can accommodate 500 people and is open from 8pm-2am on weekdays, 8pm-3am on weekends with a minimum charge of Dhs98 per person – shisha is separate.
Best for: Creek-side evenings.
Bain Al Jessrain (02 509 8888).
Le Méridien
Have iftar indoors at La Brasserie or outside in the tent adjacent to the pool and beach.
The buffet is priced at Dhs99 per person and includes Ramadan juices and soft beverages. Afterwards, relax in the suhoor tent listening to the oud player and tasting a variety of flavours of Arabian cooking.
Best for: Cheap and cheerful.
Tourist Club Area (02 644 6666).
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort
Flavours international fusion restaurant will be hosting a daily iftar buffet costing Dhs180 per person. It’s perfect for groups of friends, colleagues and family members wanting to indulge in a wide selection of Arabic and international dishes. Children up to five years old eat for free, and a 50 percent discount applies to children between six and 12 years of age. Reservations for groups are available at a discounted rate and need to be made in advance.
Best for: Groups and families.
Al Markaziyah (02 677 3333).
Rosewater
Known for its great buffet, Rosewater will be offering guests authentic Arabian traditions complemented by night views of the pool and the Arabian Gulf. Dine on a selection of grills, freshly prepared seafood, refreshing Ramadan beverages and make sure you visit there with your family. It costs Dhs185 per person.
Best for: A special evening out.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Corniche Road West (02 811 5555).
Atayeb
Middle Eastern restaurant Atayeb will welcome guests to iftar for a traditional Arabic feast, featuring an array of dishes and sweets, together with tuneful performances. There will also be a new air-conditioned tent on the Terrace offering views over Yas Marina and Yas Marina Circuit. For suhoor, Enjoy late night experiences at Atayeb with traditional Arabian delicacies served directly to your table. Pass the time over a game of backgammon or cards while live entertainment adds to the air of authenticity. Iftar: Dhs185++ including Ramadan beverages. Daily from sunset-9pm; suhoor: Dhs120++ excluding beverages. Daily from 9.30pm-2am
Best for: A huge range of food.
Yas VIceroy Yas Island (02 656 0600).
Hakkasan
This Ramadan at Hakkasan, you can enjoy a set meal for two people. The new menu is a compilation of Cantonese dishes, inspired by Middle Eastern flavours and ingredients. Perfect for sharing, you can choose from a trio of starters to begin before moving on to mains and dessert. Dhs248 per person.
Best for: Iftar with a twist.
Emirates Palace, Corniche Road West (02 690 7777).
Dusit Thani
Break your fast at Urban Kitchen, where you can enjoy an iftar buffet with a lavish spread of international and Arabic cuisines, complemented by live cooking stations and traditional Ramadan juices. Iftar buffet inclusive of soft drinks is Dhs140 person or Dhs70 for children six-12 years old, kids under six years old eat for free.
Best for: Somewhere new to try.
Muroor Road, Al Ittihad (02 698 8116).
The One
Visit this stylish and cute furniture shop in Khalidiyah this Ramadan. Because not only are they selling the odd sofa, they’re serving up a spread of all kinds of international and Arabic dishes to celebrate the Holy Month. Feast on salads, mains and sweets for just Dhs115 per adult, or Dhs57 for children under 12. The choices vary daily, however the selection is always rich and fresh and packed with flavour. This place does tend to fill up quickly during iftar so it is a good idea to book ahead. Their iftar takes place from sunset until 9pm.
Best for: Iftar with a difference.
Al Khalidiyah, Next to BMW Showroom (02 681 6500).
Eastern Mangroves
If you want variety from your iftar then Ingredients is the place to visit. Sample Emirati dishes such as braised chicken, baked grouper plus lots of Western and Asian dishes are available. The price of their packages are yet to be confirmed, so call for more details.
Best for: Loads of traditional dishes.
Salaam Street (02 656 1043).
Kababs & Kurries
Another Indian serving an iftar buffet, Kababs & Kurries are charging Dhs69 for adults and Dhs32 for kids under 12 (kids under six eat for free).
Best for: Bargan prices, quality food.
Souk Central Market, Al Markaziyah (02 628 2522).
Crowne Plaza
If you’re looking for somewhere that’s open during day throughout the Holy Month the Crowne Plaza could be the perfect spot. South East Asian restaurant Cho Gao will open its doors from 12pm and their Italian restaurant (which sells the infamous metre-long pizza) Spaccanapoli will be open even earlier from 9am. Elsewhere expat favourite Heroes will be serving from 7.30pm except during The Ashes when it will open from 2pm so you can catch all the cricket action between Australia and England. Finally, The Garden will open for iftar at sunset.
Best for: Lots of variety.
Hamdan Street (02 616 6166).
Café Arabia
This great little joint will be serving iftar for Dhs90 per person, including iced drinks, mint lemonade and iced tea, plus mezzas, salads, stews, hot pots and more. They’ll also be discreetly serving food during the day for people who are not fasting.
Best for: Traditional, Arabic dishes.
Al Mushrif (02 643 9699).
Burger Hood
A recently opened pattie palace in Guardian Towers, they have a special meal deal available this Ramadan. You get the following for Dhs60: three dates, a burger, fries, coleslaw, a date shake and a date cake.
Best for: Decent fast food.
Al Muroor Road (02 449 9990).
Mafraq Hotel
Head here for an iftar including Arabic mezzes, soups and oriental desserts for Dhs119. Kids under six eat for free, kids aged six-12 get 50 percent off their bill. The hotel also has a takeaway option for its iftar and suhoor will cost you Dhs59.
Best for: Out-of-town iftar.
Bani Yas (02 659 6666).
