The month of Ramadan is a very special time in Abu Dhabi, not only for the Muslim community but the city has a whole.
Those observing fast each day of the month from sunrise to sunset, when the fast is broken with an iftar – a time which usually sees people around the city get together to enjoy their first meal of the day.
This year, however, the current lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic has meant we have to embrace Ramadan slightly differently, particularly when it comes to iftar traditions – though this doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of meals to choose from.
Backing the governments’ efforts to encourage the public to stay home, restaurants across the city have introduced carefully curated iftar menus for home delivery, meaning you can still break your fast with all your favourite cuisines without stepping foot outside.
From classic Middle Eastern food to Peruvian, here are the best iftars to order in Abu Dhabi…
99 Sushi Bar
The restaurant is celebrating Ramadan by launching a special nine course iftar menu featuring signature dishes such as Capumiso Soup, King Crab Au Gratin and the famed Turbot Flambé Nigiri or a selection of Maki or Nigiri Sushi for Dhs199. The menu is available for delivery every day from 11am. www.99sushibar.com/en/99-sushi-bar-abu-dhabi/
Abu Dhabi EDITION
The EDITION has launched a special takeaway menu for Ramadan allowing those in the capital to enjoy a selection of traditional Middle Eastern cuisine as well as offering a set iftar menu starting from Dhs160 including hot and cold mezza, a main course and a dessert. For a meal for two, the price is Dhs280 whilst a menu for three is priced at Dhs350. The menus are available daily from 5pm to 11pm. To order, call +971 56 683 6968.
Al Maha, Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana
The restaurant offers a wide selection of authentic Middle Eastern dishes as well as traditional oriental delicacies on its iftar menu. Family packages for a minimum of ten people start at Dhs90 and include choices of soups, salads, hot and cold mezze, main courses, desserts and beverages. They also offer ouzi served with biryani rice, Arabic rice and their homemade yoghurt – this is available for Dhs750 if you want half (serving ten people) and Dhs1,500 for a whole (serving 20 people). Orders must be placed 24-hours prior.
Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Street, Abu Dhabi. www.rotanatimes.com/almahaarjaanbyrotana/offers (02 610 6666)
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi
The Beach Rotana’s special at-home iftar menu available for take-away and delivery throughout Ramadan. The menu includes traditional favourites from Al Shorfa Lounge, carefully created by Chef Abu Halab and starts with dates, fruit and Ramadan juices before offering a selection of cold and hot mezze for Dhs25 and a menu of iftar mains which changes daily for Dhs95 per person, so make sure you check the hotel’s website to view the dish of the day. The minimum order for delivery is Dhs200.
Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiya, Abu Dhabi, rotanatimes.com/beachrotana (02 697 9027).
Café 302, Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana
Café 302 is offering a set iftar menu for Dhs89 featuring a wide variety of Middle Eastern delicacies such as dates and dried fruits, choices of soup, hot and cold mezze, main courses and desserts as well as beverages. Orders must be placed 24-hours prior.
Café 302, Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Street, Abu Dhabi. www.rotanatimes.com/almahaarjaanbyrotana/offers (02 610 6666).
COYA
The award-winning fine dining restaurant has launched a Peruvian inspired iftar menu to be delivered to your homes throughout Ramadan courtesy of Deliveroo. The set menu consists of Datiles Sukkari (dates) and Edamame to start as well as a choice of soup and five appetisers to share including Papa Y Pollo (grilled chicken, bell pepper, huayro potato and botija olive) and Maki Roll de Aguacate (shitake, aji limo, avocado, quinoa and black sesame). You then get a choice of five mains: Arroz Nikkei (Chilean sea bass, rice, lime and chilli) or Costillas de Res (beef ribs, sesame, aji limo and spring onion) and finally, a dessert offering of Tortell de Nata Maracuya (passion fruit cremeux, puff pastry, coconut ice cream, konafah and pistachios).
Dhs199 (set menu). The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi coyarestaurant.com/abu-dhabi (02 306 7000). Order on Deliveroo.
CuiScene, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
The hotel restaurant has launched a set iftar menu priced at Dhs175 which will be available to order every day during Ramadan from 5pm till 9pm. The menu consists of a Ramadan juice of the day, dried fruit (including dates), hot and cold mezze, soup and bread to start. You then select a main course out of five options: Lamb ouzi with Oriental rice, kossa and warak enab mahshi (stuffed fine leaves and zucchini) with lamb shank, chicken molokhia and ghee rice, Emirati lahem harris or Emirati chicken biryani. For dessert you can pick between a caramel mohlabaya or Um Ali as well sliced fresh fruits.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi www.fairmont.com/abu-dhabi/dining/cuiscene/ (0 2 654 3322).
Eastern Mangroves Hotel and Spa by Anantara
The hotel is offering both an iftar and suhoor menu curated by their top chefs for families in the capital to enjoy throughout Ramadan. Both menus include classic hot and cold mezze dishes, from tabbouleh and moutabel to falafel and kibbeh, a selection of soups, a range of grilled delights including shish taouk and kofta, as well as desserts from mahalabia to tiramisu. For Suhoor, a selection of saj and wrap options ensure a delicious start to the day. Iftar offerings include traditional favourites including lamb shank tagine, chicken maklouba and fish salona for a wide variety of groups. Suhoor is available for delivery from 10pm to 2am. Iftar is available for pick up from the hotel from 5pm to 8pm. Order by calling 02 656 1182 and view the full menu at visit abu-dhabi.anantara.com
Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
Le Meridien is offering two special iftar menus as well as a ‘Quick Bites’ A La Carte menu for pick up throughout Ramadan. Both iftar menus are set for two people, with the first one priced at Dhs149 and the second costing Dhs199. All three menus are available to order from between 4pm and midnight daily and will be picked up at the hotel lobby. To order, call: 026446666
Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche
The hotel has launched four iftar menus available for pick up at the lobby this Ramadan. You get a choice between the ‘special’ menu priced at Dhs99, the Arabic menu at Dhs149, the International menu at Dhs149 and the Asian menu priced at Dhs125. All are available daily but will been to be booked 24 hours in advance. To order, call: 02 692 4247.
Rosewood Abu Dhabi
The luxury hotel has launched an iftar delivery set menu which consists of dates, dry figs and a Ramadan juice to start, as well as a selection of Arabic cold and hot mezze with salad, a choice of three main courses (koussa and warap enab, chicken biriyani or vegetable salona) and either a strawberry lemon tartlet or hazelnut dacquoise apple dome dessert, all for the price of Dhs199 per person.
Dhs199. Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/abu-dhabi (02 813 5550).
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Corniche
A special iftar menu and an international menu is available for pick up at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Corniche this month. Prices are A La Carte and you can order from the menus anytime between 4pm and midnight every day. All orders will be picked up from the hotel lobby. To order, call: 026773333
Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche
At the Sofitel, you can fill your own special iftar box with regional favourites such as hot and cold mezza, mixed grill, shawarma, kunafa, Arabic sweets and a wide selection of delicacies from the Corniche all day dining menu. The boxes are available for drive through pick up or delivery and prices start from Dhs425 for a group of four people. All orders much be placed before 12 noon.
Corniche East, Abu Dhabi www.sofitelabudhabicorniche.com (02 813 7777).
