It’s finally here again – the roller coaster ride of Ramadan’s hungry, contemplative hours of fasting followed by joyful, lavish feasts. And, as everyone knows, those moments when you break fast with a traditional Iftar buffet are the most enjoyable of the month, a bonding experience with family and friends, and the start of a long celebratory evening.
But with almost every hotel and restaurant in the city offering its own take on the Iftar buffet, how do you choose which ones to visit? Don’t panic, we’ve made it simple for you, with our ultimate guide to the prices, dishes, special offers and more this season. So keep hold of this issue all month – you’re going to need it!
Budget: Dhs100 and under
Take your pick from this selection of bargain buffets.
Assymetri, Radisson Blu
This budget buffet at Radisson Blu is offering a healthy spread of both Arabic and international dishes, so there should be something to suit all tastes.
Time: Sunset-10.30pm
Price: Dhs99
Assymetri, Radisson Blu, Yas Island (02 656 2000).
Bam Bu
Although Bam Bu certainly isn’t among the city’s better Chinese restaurants, you’ll probably be willing to consider anything that’s not baked lamb or chicken shawarma towards the latter weeks of the Holy Month. You’ll find all the standard Oriental fare on offer here, which you can either enjoy as a bargain-priced set meal or, for a few dirhams more, a bottomless buffet.
Time: 7.15pm-midnight
Price: Dhs55 (soup, main course, rice or noodle and dessert) or Dhs100 (unlimited food).
Abu Dhabi Marina, Tourist Club Area (02 645 6373).
Flavours Restaurant, Hilton Al Ain
Spending time in the Garden City this month? Head to Hilton Al Ain for their reasonably priced Iftar buffet. Expect a deluxe spread of traditional mezze and mains with all the Ramadan juices you can manage.
Time: 6.30pm until 10pm
Price: Dhs95. Children aged six-12 eat half price and children under six eat for are free.
Hilton Al Ain (03 768 6666).
Royal Orchid
Ed’s Pick – Best for an Oriental Iftar
A twist on the usual Iftar spread, Royal Orchid is serving up all sorts of South East Asian dishes with which you can break your fast. It’s super-cheap too.
Time: Sunset-midnight
Price: Dhs69
Royal Orchid, Salam Street (02 677 9911).
Mid-range: Under Dhs175
Want to treat the family without breaking the bank? These reasonably priced spreads should do the trick.
Afya, Traders Hotel
Those hunting for a bargain Iftar feast, should head to Traders’ all-day dining restaurant, Afya. Classic Middle Eastern treats will be served up at this Iftar, so expect plenty of fresh mezze and tender grilled meats.
Time: Sunset-8pm
Price: Adults Dhs115, children aged five-12 eat half price, under fives eat for free. Prices include selected Ramadan beverages.
Traders hotel (02 510 8818).
Al Badiya, Tilal Liwa
Anyone brave enough to venture out into the desert this month to stay at the Tilal Liwa hotel will be rewarded with the opportunity to break fast at the resort’s Al Badiya Restaurant, which will be serving a modest but tasty buffet of international and Arabic dishes.
Time: Sunset-10.30pm
Price: Dhs128
Tilal Liwa (02 894 6111).
Al Bathna, Armed Forces Officers Club
One of the most formal addresses in the city, Armed Forces Officers Club is something of an institution in the capital, particularly during Ramadan. A favourite destination throughout the Holy Month due to its annual Ramadan Tournament (read more on page 64) many visitors opt to break fast at Al Bathna before going on to watch the sports later in the evening.
Time: Sunset-8.30pm
Price: Dhs160, but groups of 10 or more get a Dhs10 discount. Kids aged five-12 eat for Dhs80
Armed Forces Officers Club (02 4415 900).
Alhan restaurant with Grand Millennium Al Wahda
This Ramadan tent is a collaborative effort between Alhan restaurant and Grand Millennium Al Wahda. It will offer traditional culinary treats including cold and hot mezze, Arabic mixed grill, lamb frikkeh, koosa mahshi and lamb harris, and there will also be a carving station. Continental main courses are also on offer, and a range of naughty desserts. Fresh fruit juices, rose water, and yoghurt drinks will be on hand to refresh thirsty guests. Syrian musicians on oud, violin, and percussion will help create an Iftar and Suhoor atmosphere. Valet parking will be free of charge for all visitors to the Ramadan tent.
Time: 7pm-9pm
Price: Dhs160. Those booking tables for 10 people are offered an additional two eating for free.
Grand Millennium Al Wahda (02 443 9999).
Choices, Yas Island Rotana
Yas Rotana’s Iftar offering will include a large buffet of Oriental and Arabic dishes, as well as plenty of fresh juices and some Ramadan specialities. Not interested in the buffet? There are also live cooking stations, where the chefs will whip up fresh and tasty meals right before your eyes.
Time: Sunset-9pm
Price: Adults Dhs155, children aged five-12 eat half price, under fives eat for free. Book for 10 people, only pay for eight.
Yas Island Rotana (02 656 4000).
Citrus, Millennium Hotel
A traditional Iftar buffet stocked with the usual belly-lining grub and thirst-quenching Arabic juices. Once fed, move through to the hotel’s Layali El Alfeya tent to chuff on some shisha and challenge the locals to a game of backgammon.
Time: Sunset-10.30pm
Price: Adults Dhs135, children Dhs75
Millennium Hotel (02 614 6000).
Dine, Aloft
Ed’s Pick – Best value for money
A full Ramadan buffet featuring all the usual hot and cold mezze, grills and local delicacies, with juices, coffees and water topped up as quick as you can slurp them down. It’s a bit of an early finisher, but for an extra Dhs30 you’ll be granted access to the Suhoor tent, where you’ll find shisha, live music and an à la carte menu for late night snacks.
Time: Sunset-8.30pm
Price: Dhs135
Aloft Abu Dhabi (02 654 5000).
Essence, Beach Rotana
This family-friendly spot is serving a spread of international and Middle Eastern cuisine for its Iftar offering this year. Expect some extremely well-prepared dishes and a lively, upbeat atmosphere. Starts August 8.
Time: Sunset-onwards
Price: Dhs165
Beach Rotana (02 697 9011).
Ginger, Park Rotana
Ginger will be serving up a spread of typical Arabic fare at its Iftar buffet. So if you’re in the area, visit to try their mixed grills, seasonal juices and assortment of dips and salads.
Price: Dhs170. Groups of 20 or more pay Dhs150, children six-12 eat half price and under sixes eat for free
Time: Sunset-onwards
Park Rotana (02 657 3333).
Horizon, Khalidiya Palace
A predictably sumptuous banquet will be hosted at Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan during Ramadan this year, and from 8.30pm oud and violin players will be performing to complete the contemplative Ramadan experience.
Time: 6pm-9pm
Price: Dhs150
Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana (02 697 9000).
Jing Asia, Crowne Plaza Yas Island
You’ll need to trek out to Yas Island, but for a buffet that packs in decent renditions of all the Arabic staples and some impressive international grub, this does a pretty good job. And since it’s a bit of a journey for most, it’s worth sticking around to check out the shisha and oud player in Barouk, the hotel’s Lebanese restaurant.
Time: Sunset-9.30pm
Price: Dhs120
Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3000).
La Veranda Restaurant, Sheraton Khalidiya
Sticking with tradition, La Veranda Restaurant will be laying on a lavish buffet spread for Iftar, with the focus mainly on Arabic cuisine. Expect fresh and tasty salads, and an abundance of cold mezze to start, followed by rich, succulent grills and tempting desserts.
Time: 5pm-8pm
Price: Adults Dhs160, children aged six-12 eat half price, under sixes eat for free.
Sheraton Khalidiya (02 666 6220).
La Brasserie, Le Méridien Abu Dhabi
The restaurant at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi will be hosting a traditional Iftar buffet every day after sunset during the month of Ramadan. The buffet includes plenty of delicious Arabic dishes, such as fried kebbeh, kebbeh labaniah, dajaj bil fornon and much more, as well as sweet and refreshing Ramadan juices.
Time: Sunset-11pm
Price: Dhs155 including unlimited Ramadan juices and soft beverages. The hotel also offers a special promotion during the period of Ramadan: for every 10 guests, one person eats free.
Le Méridien (02 644 6666).
Le Terrazza, Hilton Abu Dhabi
While it spends the rest of the year oozing ballsy Italian charm, for one month only the Hilton’s all-day-dining spot is transformed into an Arabic-style banquet hall, with lavish decorations and warm hospitality. There’s food to match, of course, with a spread of pan-Arabian delights including hummus, falafel and shawarma, with umm ali, kunafeh and mohalabia on the dessert table.
Time: Sunset-11pm
Price: Dhs159
Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
L’Opera, Le Royal Méridien
L’Opera’s Iftar buffet will serve a generous selection of typical Ramadan fare, including hummus, tourmous, foul and other Arabic specialities. Traditional juices and soft drinks are also included.
Time: 5.30pm-10.30pm
Price: Dhs160
Le Royal Méridien (02 674 2020).
Mercure, Le Jardin Restaurant
You can enjoy a rich variety of traditional Iftar dishes at cosy downtown eatery Le Jardin every day throughout Ramadan, and after you’ve filled your boots, you can decamp to neighbouring Pergola Café for a few lazy hours chugging free shisha. There will be regular draws throughout the month for prizes too – contact the hotel for more details.
Time: Sunset-11pm
Price: Dhs95 per person. If you’re coming in a group, take advantage of Le Jardin’s special offer – pay for five people and the sixth eats free.
Mercure Centre Hotel (02 6333 555).
Sevilla, Al Raha Beach Hotel
This one’s a particularly scenic option for Iftar, because you can rest your eyes on Al Raha Beach Hotel’s lush gardens as you enjoy your meal. A selection of Oriental delicacies will be on offer alongside the standard Iftar fare of mezze, salads, main courses and dessert. After you’ve eaten, you can head to Al Sukaria, the nearby luxurious air-conditioned tent in the villa’s pool area and relax to the sounds of live oud music.
Time: 7:15pm-9pm
Price: Dhs150
Al Raha Beach Hotel (02 508 0555 or 800 ALRAHA).
The Grille, Abu Dhabi Golf Club
The magnificent Grille restaurant will serve a gastronomic daily Iftar buffet displaying a wide range of cooking styles. Guests can break their fast in an unforgettable setting with spectacular views of the golf course and also select their dishes from an à la carte menu if desired. Discounts will be given for large groups.
Time: Sunset-midnight
Price: Dhs110 per guest.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club (02 558 8990).
The Village Club, One to One
Head off the beaten track for a traditional Iftar at this family-friendly boutique hotel, where The Village Club will be serving up a spread of traditional Middle Eastern delicacies, including mezze and grills. There will also be live music, so you can chow down while listing to the gentle strumming of the oud player.
Time: Sunset-8pm
Price: Dhs125, children aged five-12 eat half price, under fives eat for free.
One to One Hotel (02 495 2000).
Expensive: (Dhs175+)
These lavish banquets are worth splashing out on a least once this month if you need a mood-boosting treat.
CuiScene, Fairmont
Ed’s Pick – best for charity
It has one of the biggest offerings of any buffet restaurant in the city, and now the Fairmont is putting its spread to even better use with a mammoth Iftar. Guests can choose from a whopping 50 dishes, with Arabic, Asian and European cuisine on offer. Expect plenty of Emirati, Syrian and Lebanese dishes, too, with cold mezze followed by hot grills. Aside from the indoor dining, there will also be an air-conditioned Ramadan tent with cooking stations, live music and shisha. Best of all, part of the dining proceeds will be going to a choice of three charities, so you can fill your face free of guilt.
Time: Sunset-8.30pm
Price: Dhs195, including juices and water
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333).
Flavours, Sheraton Abu Dhabi
Iftar at this longstanding hotel is one of the city’s favourites, offering a buffet in elegant surroundings that includes all the staples of mezze, salad, mixed grills and tasty desserts.
Time: 7pm-11.30pm
Price: Dhs180
Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333).
Origins, The Yas Hotel
Given that the building looks like something from the 29th century, you’d probably expect The Yas Hotel’s Iftar to come in pill form and be served by bright blue aliens. To the contrary, it’s a surprisingly traditional affair, with shisha, backgammon and card games to busy yourself with after you’ve dealt with the Arabic and international buffets.
Time: 7pm-10.30pm
Price: Dhs175
The Yas Hotel (02 656 0760).
Pearls & Caviar, Shangri-La
If you fancy a bit of a change to Eastern fare at Iftar, then try Pearls & Caviar’s buffet, where you can sample some classic Mediterranean dishes. Expect pasta stations, and plenty of fresh seafood, as well as sumptuous desserts.
Time: 7pm-11.30pm
Price: Priced at Dhs199, children aged five-12 eat half price, under fives eat for free.
Shangri-La (02 509 8555).
Ramadan Tent, Emirates Palace
Ed’s Pick – best for a traditional Ramadan Tent experience
One of the most iconic addresses in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace is hosting a typically lavish buffet this year in a traditional Arabic setting. A purpose-built air-conditioned walkway takes you right outside to the Ramadan tent, where an endless spread of Emirati, Arabic, and international dishes will be served. There will be live soft music played throughout the evening.
Time: Sunset-9pm
Price: Dhs230
Emirates Palace (02 690 9000).
Sofra Bld, Shangri-La
This TOAD award-winning buffet restaurant is laying on an impressive spread of Middle Eastern cuisine, so those with a taste for the traditional are bound to find plenty to enjoy. If you like your food with a bit more of a kick, however, spicy Far Eastern specialties will also be provided from its Chinese restaurant Shang Palace, and Vietnamese Hoi An.
Time: 6pm-10.30pm
Price: Adults Dhs185, children aged five-12 eat half price, under fives eat for free. Prices include selected Ramadan beverages.
Shangri-La (02 509 8555).
Selections, InterContinental
In addition to the extensive Iftar buffet serving classic seasonal dishes, Selections includes eight types of Ramadan juices and an impressive array of dates, dried fruits and local Arabic coffee. Enjoy gentle music throughout the evening from kanoon player Khalil Ghadri to complete the serene Ramadan experience.
Time: 7.30pm-10.30pm
Price: Dhs195 for adults, Dhs100 for children aged six-12.
InterContinental Abu Dhabi (02 666 6888).
