From classic Middle Eastern dishes to quirky Japanese spreads, the iftars in Abu Dhabi and Dubai cover a staggering range of tastes. We round up the best places to break your fast.
Notable and new
Abu Dhabi
Asia de Cuba, Nation Riviera Beach Club, Corniche
The set menu adds Arabian flavours to the restaurant's existing fusion of Cuban and Asian food. Dishes include black bean hummus with plantain chips; empanadas filled with sweet plantains, Manchego cheese and dried fruit; Asian chicken salad; grilled lamb; red snapper; bread pudding and qatayef filled with halloumi, maduros and dried currants, served with sugarcane syrup. (Note: Restaurant will be closed until June 28)
. Dh175, from sunset to 2am. Call 02 699 3333
The Terrace on the Corniche at St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Go on a gastronomic journey through Arabia - this iftar option is a mixture of flavours from Turkey, Iran, Armenia, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Morocco. Must-try dishes include kashgeh bademjan, salt-encrusted hammour and slow-roasted lamb ouzi. The festivities will include modern Arabian music and shisha.
. Dh150, from sunset to 11pm. À la carte suhoor available until sunrise. Call 02 694 4553
Byblos Sur Mer, InterContinental Abu Dhabi
Soups, appetisers, hot mezze, grills and desserts are part of the all-inclusive menu at this new, two-level Lebanese restaurant. Try the shawarma-flavoured spare ribs; chicken wings with lime, coriander and garlic; a shrimp, calamari and fish grill with cumin-infused sayadieh gravy; and the cherry-flavoured milk pudding with ashta, berries and marshmallows from the dessert menu.
. Dh250, from sunset to 9pm. À la carte suhoor available until 3am, with nightly prizes that include Etihad tickets and hotel stays around the world. Call 800 423 463
Dubai
Cle Dubai, DIFC
It's Cle Dubai's first Ramadan and, led by Greg Malouf, the restaurant's iftar spread is all about what the chef is famous for: Middle Eastern cuisine delivered with a modern, Western touch. The three-course menu has signature dishes such as salmon and prawn tagine; ma'hanie sausage with harissa potatoes and traditional qatayef. Don't miss the ouzi stuffed with dried herbs and nuts and be sure to leave room for the baklava and the kunafa with melted sweet cheese.
. Dh180, from sunset to 9.30pm. À la carte suhoor available until 11.30pm. Call 04 352 5150
Junoon, The Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
This Indian restaurant will serve up a special iftar menu of modern chaats, kebabs, birianis and curries right to your table. Highlights include Junoon's signature crispy aubergine chaat with tamarind chutney and chaat masala; slow-cooked goat biryani with pistachios, apricot, saffron and green cardamom; and a trio of Indian kulfi for dessert in cardamom, curry leaf and guava flavours.
. Dh220. Sunset to 9.30pm. 04 405 2716.
Delphine, The H Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road
In a unique twist to the traditional iftar, Delphine will offer different flavours from the region each night of the week. First, break your fast with sharing-style mezze delivered to your table. Then visit the live cooking stations to get authentic tastes of the cuisine of the day: Emirati on Sundays; Moroccan on Mondays; Syrian on Tuesdays; Turkish on Wednesdays; Egyptian on Thursdays; Lebanese on Fridays and Iranian on Saturdays. An oud player will be on hand each night to set the mood.
. Dh160. Sunset to 8.30pm. À la carte suhoor follows until 11.30pm. 04 501 8623
CLASSICS
Abu Dhabi
The Pavilion at Emirates Palace
For a memorable iftar, head to the custom-built, climate-controlled pavilion in the capital's most famous hotel. Constructed on the Palace terrace, the 2,400 square metre tent features a large, open dining area along with six private majlises. The expansive buffet will be filled with traditional Arabic cuisine, including signature tastes from the hotel's Emirati restaurant, Mezlai. Qanun music and shisha will help set the mood.
. Dh265. Sunset to 9.30pm. À la carte suhoor with a minimum spend of Dh125 follows until 2am. 02 690 7999
Layali El Hilmiya tent at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi
Le Royal Meridien has once again erected its massive Layali El Hilmiya tent in the courtyard for Ramadan. The air-conditioned venue will be home to a buffet as well as live cooking stations dishing up traditional cuisine. Festivities include live entertainment, games, large-screen TVs, an Arabic band, shisha and more.
. Dh149. Sunset to 8.30pm. An all-inclusive suhoor (Dh159) will follow until 3am. 800 101 101
Giornotte at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
Have a glamorous iftar at the Ritz in the all-day dining restaurant Giornotte, which will be transformed into a modern Arabian retreat. Designed by executive chef David Gache and his team, the iftar menu will change throughout the month. Must-try dishes include baby camel with oriental rice and Turkish beef shawarma. Ritz Kids will also be on hand to keep kids ages four to 12 years old entertained with henna, games and arts and crafts.
. Dh220. Sunset to 9pm. À la carte suhoor follows in the Ramadan tent until 2am. 02 818 8282
Dubai
Asateer, Atlantis The Palm
Don't miss the iftar inside Asateer's Ramadan tent. The beachfront tent provides views of the Arabian Gulf and features Middle Eastern, Indian and continental cuisine from executive chef Ali El Bourji. Signature dishes include Emirati lamb thareed, a shawarma fattah station, chicken musakhan (Arabic chicken wraps), lobster tagine with couscous and slow-cooked lamb shoulder with Oriental rice. Finish the feast with some traditional Arabic ice cream.
. Dh195. Sunset to 8.30pm. À la carte suhoor with a minimum spend of Dh150 follows until 2.30am. 04 426 0800
Al Hadheerah, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
For an authentic Bedouin iftar, head to Al Hadheerah's air-conditioned tent nestled in the dunes 40 minutes from Dubai. The iftar spread will feature traditional Arabic cuisine with live cooking stations. Guests will also be entertained by a camel and caravan show, oud player and tanoura dancer.
. Dh225. Sunset to midnight. 04 809 6498
Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
It's one of the oldest hotels in Dubai and this year, the Radisson Blu in Dubai Deira Creek is celebrating its 40th anniversary. To say thank you, the hotel has set up a special iftar promotion: every guest who comes with four people will only pay for three. The extensive buffet will feature more than 200 dishes from eight of the hotel's restaurants. In addition to traditional dishes, there will also be British, Persian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai and seafood dishes on offer. Live Arabic music will play through the night to set the mood.
. Dh149. Sunset to 10pm. 04 222 7171
QUIRKY
Abu Dhabi
No. FiftySeven Boutique Café, Al Marasy in Al Bateen Harbour
This new, home-grown cafe by Emirati friends Buthaina Al Mazrui and Alamira Noor Bani Hashim will be transformed into a pop-up concept simply called The Tent. There will be a small lounge area, along with floor seating, but you won't find traditional lanterns or velvet table runners in this modern, artfully designed space. The menu will change daily and feature the cafe's best-sellers along with daily Ramadan specials. Don't miss their famous toffee skillet cookie for dessert.
. À la carte pricing. Sunset to 3am. 02 441 6100
Mikado Cafe, Al Hana Tower, Khalidiya
For a casual, low-key affair, head to this new Japanese cafe and bakery for a special Ramadan menu. Chefs will serve up platters of dates and fresh fruits, followed by special sushi rolls, including the salmon hossomaki roll and ebi tempura roll. You'll also get ceviche, tamago nigiri, yasai gyoza, chicken teriyaki and more. Desserts include the cafe's famouse matcha roll cake and shokupan bread pudding.
. Dh195. Sunset to midnight. 02 667 7557
Inakaya, Venetian Village within the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal
This Japanese restaurant specialises in robatayaki - a theatrical Japanese grilling art. Where else will you get your fast-breaking food delivered by grillmasters (called yakikata) on 1.2metre-long paddles stretched across the counter? During Ramadan, guests can choose from a variety of grilled vegetables, dig into a sushi platter and sample flavours from Inakaya's most-beloved dishes, such as the robata tsukune and black cod gyoza. Finish the meal with Inakaya's unique mochi pounding ceremony.
. Dh170. Sunset to 11pm. 02 404 1921
Dubai
Cravin' Cajun, Novotel Dubai Al Barsha
When you want a change of pace this Ramadan, head to this Cajun restaurant for a creole-themed iftar. The chef will serve up the restaurant's best-loved American and Cajun classics, including their famous Cravin' Cajun mac 'n' cheese; chicken and waffles; and fried shrimp and chicken. Side dishes include potato skins and coleslaw - but leave room for dessert. Choose from pumpkin pie, cheesecake or key lime pie.
. Dh120. 7pm to 11pm, closed on Sundays. 04 304 9000.
Ghaf Kitchen and A4 Space Ramadan Garden, Alserkal Avenue, Al Quoz
This is the perfect spot for an alternative iftar. The A4 Space will be transformed into an urban retreat with two dining rooms called The Potting Shed and The Treehouse. Ghaf Kitchen's vintage Citroen H van will be at the centre of the venue serving up the food. Choices for mains include Ghaf Kitchen's famous fish-finger sandwich made with haddock; a rotisserie cornfed chicken with homemade piri piri sauce and roast leg of lamb with salsa verde. Food will be served in an array of potting crates, vintage enamel and china and retro milk bottles. The space will be adorned with hanging plants, trestle walls, wall-to-wall terracotta pots and jars with hanging lanterns and fairy lights.
. Dh95 for starters and a main, +Dh25 for dessert at The Potting Shed. Dh150 in The Treehouse (for bookings of 10 or more). 7pm to 10pm. Complimentary movies will be shown Wednesday to Friday at 9pm. 056 393 3712
Al Majlis, Grand Ballroom, The Oberoi, Dubai
This authentic Arabian tent will have live oud and tabla, a henna artist and a spice souq along with an extensive buffet of Arabic and international cuisine. But the chefs here have gone a step further this Ramadan and will follow the SLOW food philosophy when preparing their dishes. The Oberoi has partnered with Al Dahra Agriculture in Al Ain to offer sustainable, local, organic and wholesome food. A team of chefs will visit the farm frequently throughout Ramadan to select the freshest produce.
. Dh220. Sunset to 9.30pm, desserts until 10pm. Guests can stay in the tent until 1.30am (no food service after 9.30pm). 04 444 1407
UNFORGETTABLE
For tourists, guests and expatriates looking for a truly memorable iftar, head to the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding in the Al Fahidi Historic District in old Bur Dubai. The evening begins in the courtyard of the wind-tower house with the call to prayer. Then, led by Emirati hosts, guests will break the fast with Arabic coffee and dates. Watch your hosts pray - or pray with them - before feasting on authentic Emirati cuisine. Tour the Diwan Mosque after iftar and return to the SMCCU house for dessert and tea. The event starts 15 minutes before the call to prayer each evening from Saturday, June 20 until Wednesday, July 15.
. Dh135. Children under 12 years are free. 04 353 6666. www.cultures.ae
Tom & Serg, the home-grown cafe in Al Quoz, has brought back its popular Rule the Roast offer this Ramadan, in which guests can feast on a roast-meat and vegetable dinner with all the trimmings for Dh100. For the roast, you can choose from black Angus rib-eye, roast chicken with rosemary salt and stuffing, Aussie roast lamb or vegetarian cannelloni with roast pumpkin, sage and mozzarella sauce. Each dinner comes with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, roast pumpkin, cauliflower cheese, roast garlic, roast shallots, green peas and a choice of homemade sauces. Additional sides and desserts, including bread and butter pudding, range from Dh25 to Dh35.
. Nightly throughout Ramadan, from 7pm to 10pm. 056 474 6812
Break your fast with a roast from Jones the Grocer. The roast dinners, usually only offered around Thanksgiving and Christmas, are now available all year round for home delivery and takeaway. For the roasts, choose from a New Zealand leg of lamb, a slow-roasted cornfed chicken, Australian black Angus strip loin or Australian black Angus rib-eye. Each roast comes with four-cheese cauliflower bake, roasted root vegetables, roasted chilli and sesame sautéed broccolini, ratatouille and sautéed new potatoes with mint and thyme.
www.jonesthegrocer.com
. Roast chicken, 1.1kg, Dh350, serves four; Roast leg of lamb, 2kg, Dh640, serves 8 to 10; Australian black Angus strip loin or rib-eye, 2kg, Dh990, serves 8 to 10
sjohnson@thenational.ae
