Wagamama serves pan-Asian dishes, and has an iftar offering for Dh99 this Ramadan. Photo: Wagamama
Wagamama serves pan-Asian dishes, and has an iftar offering for Dh99 this Ramadan. Photo: Wagamama
Wagamama serves pan-Asian dishes, and has an iftar offering for Dh99 this Ramadan. Photo: Wagamama
Wagamama serves pan-Asian dishes, and has an iftar offering for Dh99 this Ramadan. Photo: Wagamama

Ramadan 2024: Budget iftars under Dh200 in Abu Dhabi


  • English
  • Arabic

Restaurants across Abu Dhabi will offer iftar menus during Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Monday. While there are plenty of fine dining and award-winning options to break your fast with, here is a selection that won't break the bank.

Iftars under Dh100

Wagamama

Branches of the Japanese chain have a set menu that includes miso soup, a main course, side, drink and dessert.

Diners can choose from dishes such as chilli chicken ramen, teriyaki soba steak or chicken katsu for mains. Side dishes include chicken gyoza, ebi katsu or Korean fried chicken. End the meal with chocolate layer cake or white ginger cheesecake.

From Dh99 per person; sunset onwards; various locations across Abu Dhabi; wagamama.ae

Jones The Grocer

A three-course meal costs Dh99 at iftar time. Photo: Jones The Grocer
A three-course meal costs Dh99 at iftar time. Photo: Jones The Grocer

The artisanal Australian chain has a two-course (Dh79) and three-course (Dh99) meal option for iftar. Dishes include creamy tomato or spiced lentil soups; or salads such as chickpea, cauliflower and tahini or saffron pearl couscous.

Mains include a choice among chermoula chicken and jewelled pilaf, seabass with Harissa tomatoes, and saffron and king prawn risotto.

Those opting for the three-course option can choose from desserts such as saffron milk cake and sticky date pudding.

From Dh79 per person; sunset to 10pm; various locations across Abu Dhabi; jonesthegrocer.com

The Coffee Club

The Coffee Club has six branches in Abu Dhabi. Photo: The Coffee Club
The Coffee Club has six branches in Abu Dhabi. Photo: The Coffee Club

The coffee chain has a set iftar menu for two.

Dishes include sharing platters of pomegranate and date salad, chicken wings, turkey pastrami and garden vegetables served with tahini yoghurt, mayonnaise and blue cheese sauce.

Dh99 for two people; sunset onwards; various locations across Abu Dhabi; thecoffeeclubme.com

Iftars under Dh200

Roots Yas Acres

Located within the Yas Acres Golf and Country Club, the family-friendly restaurant offers Middle Eastern food and international favourites for iftar. Live cooking stations of shish tawouk and lamb chops are on site, alongside dishes such as lasagne, pesto chicken and lamb stew.

Dh120 per person; sunset onwards; Yas Island; 050 757 4808

Flavours at Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort Al Ain

Those in Al Ain can break their fast with a variety of cuisines offered at the hotel's all-day dining spot. Lamb ouzi is the highlight of this meal, which also includes various live cooking stations, a desserts section and Ramadan-themed juices.

Dh159 per person; sunset-10pm; Al Sarouj, Al Ain; 056 685 3832

Latest Recipe

The French bistro at Le Meridien Abu Dhabi restaurant will lay out an Arabic buffet at iftar time. Break your fast with dates and Ramadan drinks, before moving on to hot soups, fresh salads and a variety of breads, followed by hot and cold Arabic mezze and mixed grills. There is also a dessert section.

Dh199 per person; sunset onwards; Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club; 056 688 5361

Jing Asia

Arabic cuisine at Jing Asia. Photo: @jingasiayasisland / Instagram
Arabic cuisine at Jing Asia. Photo: @jingasiayasisland / Instagram

The Asian restaurant at Crowne Plaza Yas Island will offer Arabic cuisine in its iftar buffet. Dishes include hot and cold mezze, as well as hearty mains featuring lamb, chicken and seafood.

Dh159 per person; 6pm-10.30pm; Yas Island; 02 656 3000

Flavours at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort

The all-day dining restaurant at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort is serving an Arabic buffet, complete with live stations. Plenty of hot and cold mezze are available, as well as hot soups, salads and a selection of breads. Mains include classic ouzi, plus Ramadan drinks and Arabic sweets.

Dh186 per person; sunset onwards; Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, Corniche Road; 054 791 9022

Bab Al Nojoum Hudayriyat Island

Iftar by the beach is on offer at this Hudayriyat Island property, with traditional Arabic dishes on the menu.

Guests can expect beef kebabs, lamb kofta, chicken biryani, lamb ouzi and shish tawouk, in addition to a variety of salads and mezze. There is also a dessert section with Arabic sweets. The iftar is a family-friendly affair with activities such as ring toss, hoop shooting and giant Jenga.

Dh160 per person; sunset onwards; Hudayriyat Island; 02 691 0200

Sidekicks

Head to the restaurant in The WB Abu Dhabi hotel for an international buffet.

Break your fast with nuts and dates – from medjool to safawi. Also on offer is Arabic mezze, a bread station and live pasta counter. For mains, dishes include lamb harees, chicken maqluba, Thai chicken curry and dal makhani. Children have their own spread, and the buffet also includes an extensive dessert bar.

Dh180 per person; 6.30pm-10.30pm; The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton; 02 815 0000

Yas Island Rotana Abu Dhabi

Indian cuisine is on offer at Yas Island Rotana Abu Dhabi. Photo: @rangoli_yasisland / Instagram
Indian cuisine is on offer at Yas Island Rotana Abu Dhabi. Photo: @rangoli_yasisland / Instagram

Two restaurants of the Yas Island hotel, Choices and Rangoli, are joining forces to serve iftar with an Indian twist. A mix of Arabic and Indian tandoori specials are available, while live entertainment will set the scene.

Dh179 per person; 6.30pm-11.30pm; Yas Island Rotana Abu Dhabi; 02 656 4169

The Lighthouse

The restaurant also offers home catering during Ramadan. Photo: The Lighthouse
The restaurant also offers home catering during Ramadan. Photo: The Lighthouse

The iftar package at this Mediterranean restaurant includes unlimited starters plus a choice of main course. Diners can choose from truffle rigatoni, grilled salmon fillet and more. The meal also comes with one dessert and unlimited soft drinks.

An oud player will be on site to add a soulful touch.

Dh199 per person; sunset onwards; Yas Bay Waterfront; thelighthouse.ae

Saffron

The restaurant at Pearl Rotana Capital Centre is offering Arabic and international dishes. On offer are salads, soups and hot and cold mezze. For mains, diners can indulge in hearty dishes such as lamb ouzi and mixed grills or make their own shawarma at a live station.

An oud player will serenade the guests, while a small movie corner is set up for little ones.

Dh190 per person; sunset-10pm; Pearl Rotana Capital Centre; 02 307 5553

Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species

Camelpox

Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.

Falconpox

Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.

Houbarapox

Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.

Sanju

Produced: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Manish’s Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani

Rating: 3.5 stars

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Racecard

6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m

8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

The National selections

6.30pm: Chaddad

7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou

7.40pm: Mass Media

8.15pm: Rafal

8.50pm: Yulong Warrior

9.25pm: Chiefdom

Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23

Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3

Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2

PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Inside%20Out%202
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EKelsey%20Mann%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Amy%20Poehler%2C%20Maya%20Hawke%2C%20Ayo%20Edebiri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Oppenheimer
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Nolan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECillian%20Murphy%2C%20Emily%20Blunt%2C%20Robert%20Downey%20Jr%2C%20Florence%20Pugh%2C%20Matt%20Damon%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E5%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Three ways to limit your social media use

Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.

1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.

2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information. 

3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.

Updated: March 12, 2024, 7:35 AM`