Ramadan 2018 iftar guide: 10 to try in Abu Dhabi

From set menus and lavish buffets to communal tents serving all manner of traditional and fusion fare, here's what's on offer this Ramadan in the capital

Fast breakers at Dusit Thani

The capital has multiple options for those who want to experience a traditional iftar in terms of food, ambience and music, as well as a host of others that will serve up classic dishes with a modern twist, and some truly decadent desserts. Here's our pick of iftars to try:

Sofra Bld

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Sweets at the Sofra Bld iftar at Shangri-La Abu Dhabi

What: Iftar buffet with Arabian stuffed whole lamb, ouzi, dolma, mousakhan, and desserts such as lugaimat and kunafa.

When: Sunset until 8pm

How much: Dh205 per person not including tax, plus a 20 per cent discount for the first 10 days if you book before Ramadan begins.

Where: Shangri-La Hotel Abu Dhabi

Contact: Call 02 509 8555 or email [e-mail]

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Layali Al Baraka 

What: A traditional iftar buffet with juices, dates, ouzi, mixed grills, fresh saj bread and Arabic coffee, plus an oud performance every day, excluding Sundays, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.

When: 7pm to 9pm

How much: Dh175 per person

Where: Jumeirah at Etihad Towers

Contact: Call 02 811 5666 or email [e-mail]

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Ramadan at the Palace 

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Ouzi Reggag at Emirates Palace

What: Custom-built Ramadan pavilion with an extensive buffet, featuring live cooking and carving stations, plus continental dishes. Don't miss the ouzi reggag, a 12-hour marinated baby lamb with homemade spices and khanen (local ghee), covered with reggae bread and served on a bed or rice. Desserts include assida bouber (sweet pumpkin cooked with roasted flour and topped with khanen), date pudding cake, khabessa (Emirati dessert of roasted flour, cashews, sultanas and saffron), hallwa and Umm Ali.

When: Sunset to 9pm

How much: Dh320 per person

Where: Emirates Palace

Contact: Call 02 690 7999 or email [e-mail]

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Urban Kitchen 

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Dates, coffee and juices at Dusit Thani

What: A traditional Arabian ambience and an iftar buffet that includes hot and cold mezze, kibbeh, lamb ouzi, live shawarma and falafel stations, mixed grills and Arabic breads. Signature dishes by chef Kunal Kapur will be served at the iftar ti introduce guests to his upcoming restaurant Namak.

When: 7pm to 10pm

How much: Dh145 per adult and Dh73 per child, plus tax

Where: Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi

Contact: Call 02 698 8137 or email [e-mail]

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Butcher & Still

What: Set three-course menu at the 1920s-inspired Chicago steakhouse by chef Marshall Roth. Choose from garden greens, truffle poutine and Caesar salad for starters; Kansas City Strip steak, grilled prawns and mushroom Wellington for mains; and key lime pie, New York cheesecake and chocolate cake for dessert.

When: 7pm to 9pm

How much: Dh250 per person

Where: Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi on Al Maryah Island

Contact: Call 02 333 2444 or email [e-mail]

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Hala Ramadan tent

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Dishes at the Hilton Abu Dhabi iftar

What: One of the capital's most popular Ramadan tents, which seats 150 people, includes a buffet featuring traditional Arabic delicacies, such as lamb ouzi, kofta, shorba soup and shawarma, as well as chicken moghrabieh, fish moussaka, lamb makloubeh and Dawood basha. Desserts include kunafa, Umm Ali and mahalabiya.

When: 7pm followed by suhoor

How much: Dh210 for adults and Dh85 for children between 6 and 12 years; children under 5 eat free

Where: Hilton Abu Dhabi

Contact: Call 02 692 4247

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Sevilla 

Iftar buffet at Al Raha Beach Resort 

What: Iftar buffet with hot and cold mezze, salads, barbecue stations for lamb and beef, meat platters and a handful of Asian dishes, and pastries.

When: Sundown to 11pm

How much: Dh196 on weekdays and Dh245 on weekends, with a 50 per cent for kids between 6 and 12 years; kids below 5 eat free

Where: Al Raha Beach Hotel

Contact: Call 02 508 0431 or email [e-mail]

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99 Sushi 

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Lamb gyoza at 99 Sushi

What: A Japanese-flavoured menu that includes tuna maki; miso soup with seaweed, truffle, leeks and tofu foam; baby lamb gyozas with caramelised onion, arzu cheese and chestnut infusion; tiger prawn tempura; fried eggplant with sweet miso; butterfish nigri with truffle; and salmon flambe nigri with lime; plus mochi for dessert.

When: Sunset to 9pm

How much: Dh199 per person

Where: The Galleria, Al Maryah Island

Contact: Call 02 672 3333

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Flavours

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Dates and coffee at Flavours, Sheraton Abu Dhabi

What: Iftar buffet with Arabic, Indian, Italian and Asian dishes, such as okra with lamb, baked samke harra fish in tahini sauce, lamb ouzi, Dawood basha meatballs in tomato sauce, garlic-coriander shrimps, kung pao chicken, chicken siu mai dim sum, chicken satay, vegetable dumplings, Goan fish curry, lamb chops, chicken tawook, beef brisket, whole roasted turkey, and oven-baked salmon. Beverages include jallab, a rose-flavoured date syrup; kamarudin, dried apricot orange blossomed water; tamar hindi tamarind syrup; and laban; while for desserts there's Umm Ali, baklava, kunafa nabulsiya, muhalabia, tiramisu, crème caramel, cheesecake, and mango sago.

When: Sunset to 9pm

How much: Dh174 for adults and Dh87 for children between 6 and 12 years; kids below 5 eat free. Book for 10 adults or more to get 15 per cent off.

Where: Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort

Contact: Call 02 677 3333 or email [e-mail]

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Todd English’s Olives

What: Iftar menu that includes starters such as spiced chick pea soup and olives mezze platter; plus feta cheese, smoked eggplant purée and ground lamb flatbread. Mains include chicken and pappardelle, grilled skirt steak tandoori, seafood risotto with seasonal vegetables; and for dessert a vanilla gelato with fresh berries and raspberry sauce. The Iftar menu is just 120++ AED with the restaurant opening for business lunch from 12.30 PM until 12 AM.

When: 7pm onwards

How much: Dh120 plus taxes

Where: Venetian Village, Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi

Contact: Call 050 315 0770

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