In search of Ramadan desserts in Abu Dhabi? Whether you’re looking for something to enjoy at a restaurant for iftar or want something sweet for takeaway or for delivery for a Ramadan 2022 celebration at home, there are many special limited-edition options.
Start with these traditional iftar dishes, and then end the meal with a few of these sweets. The Ramadan desserts are delicious on their own, but are best paired with tea and Arabic coffee. Make plans with friends and family and remember these Ramadan desserts in Abu Dhabi.
Artisanal pastries and cakes at Emirates Palace
For exquisitely crafted delicacies or artisanal pastries and cakes, all of which are almost too pretty to eat, choose from a delightful range of sweets at the plush Cake Shop at Emirates Palace. The selection of chocolates, Arabic sweets and boxes of dates makes for the perfect Ramadan gift. Try their decadent baklava with rolls of butter pastry, soft cheese, pistachios and a generous pour of sugar syrup.
Until May 1, 8am-2am. Cake Shop, Emirates Palace.
Cinnamon rose roll at Brunch & Cake
Ramadan desserts would almost lose all meaning if they failed to incorporate the elegant flavour of roses, which is why the cinnamon rose roll at Brunch & Cake is a welcome addition to our list. Caramelised cinnamon rose roll topped with sticky caramel pecan sauce, served with vanilla ice cream, and a side of crème anglaise and chocolate sauce – need we say more?
Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm; Sat-Sun, 8am-11pm. Brunch & Cake, Marsa Al Bateen Marina (02 575 4880).
Date sheet cake at Wake n’ Bake
Wake n’ bake is celebrating the fruit of the season with a moist date cake sheet. Fresh farm dates are layered in a warmly spiced, creamy cake that is the ideal way to conclude the iftar (or begin it).
Wake n’ Bake instagram.com/wakenbakead (058 542 0420).
Halawet el jebn at Almayass
Looking for classic Ramadan desserts in Abu Dhabi? Lebanese-Armenian restaurant Almayass is serving up a delectable sweet treat that cannot be missed – halawet el jebn, which is an Arabic dessert made from rolls of soft, sweet cheese dough that gets stuffed with clotted cream then crowned with pistachios. What part of that does not sound good? Enjoy the dessert at the new location in The Galleria Al Maryah Island.
Dhs48. Almayass, The Galleria Al Maryah Island (02 644 0440).
Honey cake
Honey cake is one of the most popular Ramadan desserts in Abu Dhabi, and beyond, for a reason. And it’s getting a bit of a makeover at Magnolia Bakery this Ramadan 2022. The bakery’s version is glazed with honey and complemented with notes of cinnamon. It is meant to be perfectly moist and dense, with the right amount of honey flavour in each bite. We’ll let you and the family decide for yourself.
Magnolia Bakery, The Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island. instagram.com/magnoliabakeryuae.
Lychee rose cake at Sola
Sol Restaurant and Café has an elegant lychee rose cake with raspberry filling this Ramadan, bringing together the tropical flavour of lychees and fragrant notes of rose in a dessert you will not be sharing. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. This is one of the Ramadan desserts in Abu Dhabi that everyone will likely want a piece of.
Dhs49. Sola Restaurant and Café, 12pm-3am, (02 546 3558).
Rose mille feuille with strawberry sorbet and white chocolate crumbs at Le Royal Méridien
After Ramadan desserts in Abu Dhabi with rose? Try this decadent sweet treat that uses delicate flavours to pack a punch, rose mille feuille with strawberry sorbet and white chocolate crumbs. It is included in Le Royal Meridien’s pop-up iftar menu.
From Dhs195 per person. Layali El Hilmiya pop-Up, Le Royal Méridien, Tourist Club Area (02 674 2020).
New York-style kunafa cheesecake
The dense goodness of a New York-style cheesecake mixed with the softness of clotted cream, the nutty notes of pistachios, the airy lightness of spun pastry, and warm sugary syrup – that is what this New York-style kunafa cheesecake is all about. It’s one of the fusion Ramadan desserts in Abu Dhabi you will likely remember.
Get it included in the iftar menu at Garage, along with Ramadan special dishes such as crumbled cheese and zatar manoushe (flatbread) and garlic labneh (soft cheese made from strained yogurt) and prawn tarts.
Dhs198 (per person). Sunset-9pm. Garage, W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island (02 656 0000).
Pistachio rose kunafa cheesecake at Brunch & Cake
Brunch & Cake has put together a tempting à la carte dessert menu for Ramadan 2022, and it has some very special Ramadan desserts in Abu Dhabi. Case in point: The award for the use of most on-theme, traditional ingredients goes to their pistachio rose kunafa cheesecake.
It is as decadent as you would expect it to be with all the fixings that go into a perfect cheesecake: a thin buttery crust, a creamy layer that puts the cheese in cheesecake, a nutty pistachio sauce, and topped with a nest of kunafa (classic spun pastry) and dried rose petals.
Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm; Sat-Sun, 8am-11pm. Brunch & Cake, Marsa Al Bateen Marina (02 575 4880).
Rose pistachio babka at Society Café
Babka is traditionally a brioche-like yeast cake, but this babka at the recently opened Society Café is special as it is adorned with the complementary flavours of the sweet rose and the nutty notes of pistachio. Enjoy it with a scoop of homemade ice cream.
Society, Mamsha Al Saadiyat (02 886 7735).
Sticky date pudding at Knead Bakery
A warm skillet of gooey goodness comes in the form of a sticky date pudding this Ramadan at Knead Bakery and Patisserie – a great way to enjoy the fruit of the season in the form of a decadent dessert. It’s one of those comforting Ramadan desserts in Abu Dhabi.
Dhs33; Dhs38 (extra scoop of vanilla ice cream). Knead Bakery and Pattisserie, order.knead.ae (050 951 0585).
Umm Ali with date ice cream at Hakkasan
Umm Ali, which is a traditional bread pudding with sugar, milk, nuts, and raisins; will be served with a scoop of homemade date ice cream. The lightly sweet umm Ali should pair well with the cool and sweet date ice cream. Think our favourite date milkshakes, but ice cream. Catch this Ramadan special menu item included in the iftar menu at Hakkasan.
Dhs288 (iftar menu). Until Sun May 1, sunset-8pm. Hakkasan, Emirates Palace, Corniche W, epauh-hakkasan@mohg.com, (02 690 7739).
Looking for more about Ramadan 2022 in Abu Dhabi? Click here for everything from iftars to timings and more.
