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
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 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
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
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 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
Zayed Sustainability Prize
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Women & Power: A Manifesto
Mary Beard
Profile Books and London Review of Books
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin
Director: Shawn Levy
Rating: 3/5
UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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