As the coronavirus restrictions in place across Dubai are eased, restaurants have been able to reopen under strict guidelines, taking into consideration social-distancing rules and not surpassing a 30 per cent capacity.
With that in mind, several of Dubai's hotels and restaurants are reopening with iftar menus as part of their dine-in offerings.
No, it won't be the traditional all-out buffet affair this year given the pandemic, but set menus with plenty of smaller options to sample.
If you're looking to dine out to break your fast this Ramadan, here are the restaurants offering dine-in iftars:
Olea at Kempinski
Levantine dining outlet Olea is ready to welcome back diners with a set iftar menu for Dh225 per person.
The menu features a variety of dishes which include ouzi (slow-cooked lamb) served over rice, shawarma, manakish and more. There will be traditional sweets served.
The iftar is also available for delivery.
Asateer at White Restaurant
Atlantis The Palm's famed Asateer tent is a little different this year. Instead of a traditional iftar tent, Asateer's offering will be housed within White Restaurant, at White Beach.
Asateer’s chef Ali Elbourji has partnered with White Restaurant chef Ibrahim Ata to create a menu fusing Mediterranean flavours with Asateer favourites.
For Dh195 for a set menu for one, expect signature dishes such as lamb ouzi, aubergine mille feuille, cauliflower arancini and hot and cold mezze.
Kayto
Located at Jumeirah Al Naseem, this Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant reopened to dine-in guests last week, along with two other signature Jumeirah restaurants – Rockfish, also at Jumeirah Al Naseem, and Shimmers, at Mina A’Salam.
Kayto's iftar menu, available from 6pm, is priced at Dh300 per person.
It's features nine starters to share, including Wagyu beef tacos, salmon tataki and shrimp tacos, your choice of main course, four sides, and your choice of one dessert.
LPM
LPM Restaurant (formerly La Petite Maison) reopens on Thursday, April 30, for dine-in guests, from noon to 10pm daily.
This means its delivery iftar offering will also be available at the restaurant.
The menu is priced at Dh245 per person, and a minimum of two people are required to order. It is available between 6.30pm and 8pm.
The sharing menu includes a mocktail, soup, two starters, one main course and a dessert per person. Customers can break their fast with dates and then enjoy some of the restaurant's signature dishes, such as the burrata with tomatoes and lamb chops.
The iftar is also available for delivery.
Streetery
If you're looking for a good budget option, look no further than this popular JLT food hall.
Streetery's iftar offering is only Dh89 for two people, and is described as an "Asian iftar night market experience".
The menu has been curated from the Ramadan street markets of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, offering a wide variety of dishes: from dates and fruit to soup, salad, several mains, dessert and drinks.
The restaurant has even added an option to give an iftar meal as a gift – you can order for your friends, colleagues or family on the restaurant's website and app.
The iftar is also available for delivery.
Coya Dubai
The Peruvian restaurant reopened in Dubai on Tuesday, April 28, and is now open from 12.30pm to 10pm for lunch and dinner, as well as offering a special iftar menu.
The set menu includes a choice of soup, seven appetisers or small dishes, one main and dessert for Dh230 per person.
Guests can expect dishes such as the cream of pumpkin soup, kale and cucumber salad, wild mushroom ceviche, empanadas, and more. For mains, choose between the corn-fed chicken, beef ribs, Peruvian dried potato and cauliflower, and Chilean sea bass, and end the meal with dates, edamame, and pistachio puff pastry.
The iftar is also available for delivery.
Bombay Brasserie
Taj Dubai will offer sit-down iftars from 6pm to 10pm each day in its Bombay Brasserie.
The Indo-Emirati set menu features dishes including the Koftak Samak (Emirati fish cakes with Indian spices), Tekat Deyay Emirati (chicken kebabs with Middle Eastern spices cooked in a tandoor), Emirati home-style chicken curries, such as Thareed Dyay or Khudar Mashwi ma Baharat Hind, vegetables in an Indian masala blend.
Both menus include dates, cut fruit, Laban and water to break the fast.
The iftar is also available for delivery.
Al Nafoorah
The popular Lebanese restaurant under Sarood Hospitality is now open from sunset until 10pm daily. Their Dh265 iftar menu for two people is now available for dine-in, while the options for groups of four and six, priced at Dh495 and D665 respectively, will be available in the coming days.
Guests can expect a feast including all the classics such as dates, buttermilk and jalab, lentil soup, and hot and cold mezzes. Mains include a mixed grill and lamb ouzi (with a vegetarian option also available). Meanwhile a cheesecake with rose and pistachio and chocolate cardamom fudge cake are some desserts that round up the meal.
Match statistics
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 36 Bahrain 32
Harlequins
Tries: Penalty 2, Stevenson, Teasdale, Semple
Cons: Stevenson 2
Pens: Stevenson
Bahrain
Tries: Wallace 2, Heath, Evans, Behan
Cons: Radley 2
Pen: Radley
Man of the match: Craig Nutt (Harlequins)
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
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Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
