Under Dhs100
C.taste
Celebrate the spirit of Ramadan in the stylish and lively Centro Al Manhal, with an extensive buffet and live cooking stations.
Dhs75 per person. Centro Al Manhal, Al Manhal, www.rotana.com (02 811 5000).
Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara
Suhoor will be served al-fresco on the pool deck, adjacent to the infinity pool overlooking the mangrove lagoon. An array of dishes will be prepared at live cooking stations, including shawarma and slow-roasted lamb with oriental rice. Be transported into a tale from the Arabian Nights as you relax and reflect, sipping Arabic coffee or mint tea, and breathe in the subtle aromas of hubbly bubbly while listening to the gentle lap of the lagoon waters and the oud player.
From Dhs90 per person. Sunset-2am. Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Salam Street, www.abu-dhabi.anantara.com (02 656 1000).
Hickory’s Sports Bar
Enjoy assorted hot and cold traditional specialties, including a mixed grill and a selection of sweets.
From Dhs85 per person. Yas Island, reception@yaslinks.com, www.yaslinks.com (02 810 7710).
InterContinental
Spend a memorable suhoor with your family and friends during the Holy Month and relax in a traditional Ramadan tent for suhoor with shisha and plenty of other delights.
From Dhs75. 9.30pm-4.30am. InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Al Bateen, www.intercontinentalabudhabi.com (02 666 6888).
Le Jardin
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 enjoying shisha.
Dhs95 (free ticket for every five iftar bookings); Dhs60 per person (suhoor). Sunset-8.30pm (iftar); 3am-6am (suhoor). Mercure Centre Hotel, Al Markaziyah, www.accorhotels.com (02 633 3555).
Dhs100-Dhs175
18°
When the sun sets, watch it from 18°. Chef Ivan Musoni will prepare authentic iftar specialties from the Arabic kitchen, alongside signature eastern Mediterranean dishes based around the restaurant’s very own cuisine. Watch the ebbing sun from the terrace, then soak up the traditional Arabian atmosphere.
Dhs170 per person. Sunset-10.30pm. Hyatt Capital Gate, Al Safraat, capitalgate@hyatt.com (02 596 1440).
2.35
In keeping with the spirit of the Holy Month, for every buffet meal purchased, Dhs5 is donated to orphans.
From Dhs125. Cristal Salam, Tourist Club Area, cristalhospitality.com (02 659 7666).
Al Badiya
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.
Dhs140. Sunset-10.30pm. Tilal Liwa Hotel, Liwa, www.danathotels.com (02 894 6111).
Al Bathna, Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel
One of the most formal addresses in the city, the 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, many visitors opt to break fast at Al Bathna before going on to watch the sports later in the evening.
Dhs160. Sunset-8.30pm. Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel, Al Maqtaa, www.afoc.mil.ae (02 4415 900).
Assymetri
The buffet at the Radisson Blu is offering a healthy spread of both Arabic and international dishes, so there should be something to suit all tastes.
From Dhs105. Sunset-10.30pm. Radisson Blu, Yas Island, www.radissonblu.com (02 656 2000).
Atayeb
Atayeb will play host to a delectable à la carte suhoor menu with a backdrop of traditional Arabic decoration and kanoun music. Included on the menu are favourites such as houmous, moutabel, tabbouleh and fattoush. Hot dishes of chekaf mtabaleh, reyash gknam, halabi and grilled shish taouk will also be available, while for dessert, guests can treat themselves to assorted dates, muhalabiya and kataif. Entertainment is provided in the form of card games and backgammon as well as shisha.
From Dhs120. From sunset. Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com (02 656 0600).
Barranca
Enjoy a corporate iftar with a selection of specialties including hot and cold mezzes, mixed grill, traditional juices and dates.
Dhs125 (minimum 20 people). From sunset. Yas Links Golf Club, Yas Island, www.yaslinks.com (02 810 7777).
Choices
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 specialties. 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.
Phone for prices. Sunset-9pm. Yas Island Rotana, Yas Island, www.rotana.com (02 656 4000).
Citrus
A traditional iftar buffet stocked with the usual 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.
From Dhs145 per person; half price (children six-12). Sunset-11.30pm. Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, www.millenniumhotels.ae (02 614 6000).
Dine
During Ramadan, enjoy a sumptuous spread of international fare at this airy restaurant in Aloft Abu Dhabi.
From Dhs135 per person (including Ramadan juices). From Sunset. Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Safraat, www.aloftabudhabi.com (02 654 5013).
Flavours Restaurant
Head to the Hilton Al Ain for a reasonably priced iftar buffet. Expect a deluxe spread of traditional mezze and mains with all the Ramadan juices you can manage.
Phone for price. Sunset-10pm. Hilton Al Ain, Al Ain, www3.hilton.com (03 768 6666).
Gems
In keeping with the spirit of the Holy Month, for every buffet meal purchased during Ramadan, Dhs5 is donated to orphans.
From Dhs125. Cristal Hotel, Madinat Zayed, cristalhospitality.com (02 652 0000).
Dhs100-Dhs175
Haritna
Enjoy a sumptuous culinary journey through Arabic cuisine with an iftar buffet laid out in a traditional Ramadan tent.
Dhs139 (including soft drinks). Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Al Wahda Complex, www.millenniumhotels.ae (02 443 9999).
Jing Asia
Enjoy a traditional iftar buffet along with international specialties and traditional drinks with your friends and family every evening during Ramadan. And, when iftar is over, the night goes on. Enjoy shisha in the garden afterwards, while the kids play in the restaurant’s special kids’ club areas.
Dhs140 (iftar). Sunset-9pm. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Yas Island, restaurants.cpyas@ihg.com, www.ichotelsgroup.com/crowneplaza (02 656 3053).
Holiday Inn
Savour a traditional iftar buffet or enjoy suhoor in the Hubbly Bubbly Ramadan tent.
Dhs140. Sunset-10.30pm. Downtown Abu Dhabi, www.holidayinn.com (02 657 4856).
La Brasserie
During Ramadan, guests can enjoy a buffet offering delicious Arabic dishes such as ful medames, sambousek, moutabel, fattoush, tabbouleh and much more.
Dhs135 (during the first two weeks of Ramadan enjoy two iftar buffets for the price of one). Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area, www.lemeridienabudhabi.com (02 644 1000).
La Veranda Restaurant
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.
From Dhs140. Sunset-11pm (iftar); midnight-4am (suhoor). Sheraton Khalidiya Hotel Abu Dhabi, Al Khalidiyah, www.starwoodhotels.com (02 666 6220).
Le Terrazza
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 houmous, falafel and shawarma, with umm ali, kunafeh and mohalabia on the dessert table.
From Dhs165 (iftar); Dhs80 (suhoor tent). From sunset. Hilton Abu Dhabi, Al Khubeirah, www3.hilton.com (02 681 1900).
L’Opera Brasserie
L’Opera’s iftar buffet will serve a generous selection of typical Ramadan fare, including houmous, tourmous, ful and other Arabic specialties. Traditional juices and soft drinks are also included.
From Dhs160. Sunset-7pm. Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, www.leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com (02 674 2020).
Mai Café
Enjoy suhoor with an à la carte menu, as Mai Café is transformed into a Ramadan tent.
Á la carte with no cover charge. 8.30pm-3am. Aloft Abu Dhabi, Al Safraat, www.aloftabudhabi.com (02 654 5013).
Nolu’s
Nolu’s iftar buffet will feature a fusion of traditional Afghani food and modern American cuisine. Suhoor will be á la carte and the restaurant will also be open from 11am during Ramadan.
From Dhs130. 6.30pm-9pm (iftar); until 2am (suhoor). Al Bandar, www.noluscafe.com (02 557 9500).
Ornina
Enjoy an á la carte iftar menu, with a wide selection of starters, main courses and desserts.
From Dhs160 (inclusive of Ramadan drinks). Sunset-8pm, Al Bandar, Al Raha Beach, www.orninalounge.com (02 556 6090).
Sevilla
This one is 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.
From Dhs165 per person. From sunset. Al Raha Beach Hotel, Al Raha Beach, www.danathotels.com (02 508 0555).
The Garden
The Ramadan buffet will offer a mix of international and Arabian cuisine. Dhs5 will be donated to the hotel’s charity campaign, Operation Smile U.A.E., for every guest who dines in the restaurant. Spaccanapoli and Cho Gao restaurants will also be open for iftar, with set and à la carte menus.
From Dhs135. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, www.ichotelsgroup.com (02 621 0000).
The Grille
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.
From Dhs110; half price (children aged six-12). Sunset-10pm. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl, www.adgolfclub.com (02 558 8990).
The Village Club
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.
Dhs155 including soft drinks; half price (children aged six-12); free (children under five). Sunset-8pm (iftar); 9pm onwards (suhoor). One to One Hotel, The Village, Al Nahyan, www.onetoonehotels.com (02 495 2000).
Above Dhs175
Afyä
Afyä will be hosting a traditional iftar buffet for Ramadan. There will also be a Ramadan tent in the grounds of the hotel, with traditional music.
From Dhs185. Sunset-8pm. Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain, www.shangri-la.com (02 510 8888).
Agadir
Enjoy a wide selection of food with an extensive Ramadan buffet.
From Dhs175. Sunset-8.30pm. The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Khalifa City, www.agadirabudhabi.com (02 616 9999).
Cedar Lounge
Enjoy breaking your fast with the best Lebanese cuisine at Cedar Lounge’s daily iftar buffet. Group reservations are available at a discounted rate if booked in advance.
From Dhs195. 7pm-10pm. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, info@cedarloungeuae.com (02 654 3223).
Corniche
Corniche will be hosting a traditional iftar buffet for Ramadan. Suhoor can be enjoyed with an à la carte menu in the hotel’s Ramadan tent.
From Dhs185. Sunset-8.30pm. Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche, www.sofitel.com (02 813 7777).
CuiScene
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.
Dhs180 (iftar); half price (children aged six-12); free (children under five); Dhs135 minimum spend per person on the á la carte menu (suhoor); Dhs35 for unlimited soft drinks for two hours. Sunset-9pm (iftar); 10pm-2am – 3am weekends (suhoor). Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Jessrain, www.fairmont.com/abu-dhabi (02 654 3333).
Emirates Palace
One of the most iconic addresses in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace is hosting a typically lavish buffet this year in a traditional Arabic setting.
Phone for prices. Sunset-9pm. Emirates Palace, Ras Al Akhdar, www.kempinski.com (02 690 9000).
Essence
This family-friendly spot is serving a spread of international and Middle Eastern cuisine for its iftar offering this year. Expect some well-prepared dishes and a lively, upbeat atmosphere.
From Dhs185. Sunset-11.30pm. Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area, www.rotana.com (02 697 9011).
Fairways
Enjoy a wide selection of food with an extensive Ramadan buffet.
From Dhs175 per person. Sunset-8.30pm, The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, Khalifa City, www.fairwaysabudhabi.com (02 616 9999).
Flavours
Indulge in a wide selection of typical Arabic and international dishes, prepared by experts at this international fusion restaurant. Reservations for groups are available at a discounted rate and need to be made in advance.
Dhs180. From sunset. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Al Markaziyah, www.sheratonabudhabihotel.com (02 677 3333).
Ginger
Ginger will be serving up a spread of typical Arabic fare at its iftar buffet. Try their mixed grills, seasonal juices and assortment of dips and salads.
From Dhs175 including soft drinks and Ramadan juices. Sunset-11pm. Park Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Matar, www.rotana.com (02 657 3333).
Above Dhs175
Ingredients
To break the fast, a selection of dates, dry figs and nuts await along with freshly baked breads and Arabic pitas. A dedicated juice section provides an array of fresh juices, laban and tamarind. Expect a variety of hot and cold mezzes, salads and soup, followed by a selection of Emirati specialities that will vary on a daily basis. The dessert station is also not to be missed, with sweet cheese delicacies such as kellage and coconut ghoriba (Moroccan macaroons), as well as Middle Eastern delights such as almond briwat and othmaliah with keshta.
From Dhs175. Sunset-11pm. Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, Salam Street, abu-dhabi.anantara.com (02 656 1000).
Layali el Hilmiya Iftar Tent
Enjoy suhoor in a 1001 Nights tent setting with live oud, table games, shisha and TV.
From Dhs190 per person for suhoor package; Dhs40 entry only on weekdays; Dhs55 entry only on weekends. Le Royal Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Markaziyah, www.leroyalmeridienabudhabi.com (02 674 2020).
Monte-Carlo Beach Club
Emirati cuisine specialist, Khulood Atiq, has helped create a unique iftar experience that will provide an authentic taste of the UAE at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club. Iftar will be served on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays during Ramadan in the relaxed, rustic surroundings of Le Deck. Dates, laban, aishu laham and hashwa, make up part of the wide selection on offer.
Dhs229 including soft drinks. Sunset-9.30pm. Saadiyat island, www.montecarlobeachclub.ae (02 656 3500).
Layali Al Baraka
The Mezzoon Ballroom will be transformed into the Layali Al Baraka (Nights of Blessing) iftar venue, where there will be a rotation of six different menus throughout the month.
From Dhs185. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar, www.jumeirah.com (02 811 5666).
Olea
The five-star St. Regis resort’s elegant all-day restaurant, with a Mediterranean inspired interior, will be serving a traditional iftar buffet throughout Ramadan.
From Dhs185. Sunset-8pm. St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Saadiyat Island, stregissaadiyatisland.com (02 498 8888).
Origins
Break the fast this year with jallab, tamer hindi, qamar el din, laban, karkadé juices and plain and stuffed dates. Classic Arabic family dishes of sambousek jebneh and fatayer sabanekh alongside traditional oriental mixed grill including shish taouk, lamb kebab, kofta kebab and garlic prawns will be sure to please. Finish on a sweet note with date pudding, date toffee cake, kunafeh cheese and umm ali.
From Dhs185 including soft drinks and Ramadan juices. Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, Yas Island, www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com (02 656 0000).
Rosewater
Enjoy an Arabic iftar buffet with an emphasis on freshly prepared meat and seafood. The offer includes traditional Ramadan drinks such as jallab and qamar el din, as well as a selection of Arabic salads.
Dhs185. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Ras Al Akhdar, www.jumeirah.com (02 811 5666).
Selections
Tuck into sumptuous Arabic fare at this bright and breezy venue. The restaurant lives up to its name; past experience with iftars here has proved that variety is not something it lacks. There is also a live tea and coffee station, and a wide selection of dates, dried fruits and juices to help keep you going. Plus, there will be live music to set the mood. An à la carte suhoor menu is available in the Piano Lounge.
Dhs205 per person; half price (children aged six-12); free (children under six). Sunset-10.30pm (iftar). Intercontinental, Al Bateen, www.intercontinentalabudhabi.com (02 666 6888).
Shangri-La Ramadan Tent
Groups of between 80 and 280 can enjoy a sumptuous iftar buffet, and later on individuals or groups are welcome to relax with coffee, shisha and traditional music in the beachfront tent for suhoor.
From Dhs195 (iftar); from Dhs80 (suhoor). From sunset (iftar); 8pm-3am (suhoor). Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Bain Al Jessrain, www.shangri-la.com (02 509 8555).
Sofra Bld
This Time Out Abu Dhabi award-winning buffet restaurant is laying on an impressive spread of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Dhs199 including soft drinks (iftar); half price (children aged six-12); free (children under five); Dhs85 minimum spend per person on á la carte menu (surhoor). Sunset-8pm (iftar); 8.30pm-3am. Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri, Bain All Jessrain, www.shangri-la.com (02 509 8888).
