Traditional Middle Eastern iftars and suhoors are favoured by the majority, and dining in one of the stunning majlis tents around the UAE is a Ramadan essential, but if you want to sample something a little different this holy month, try one of these international offerings at restaurants around the UAE...
Japanese iftar and suhoor at 99 Sushi
The Japanese eatery is serving a 10-course spread this Ramadan. Located at The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, 99 Sushi Bar and Restaurant has created a menu of tiger prawn tempura, soft-shell crab maki, salmon flambe nigiri and skirt steak for guests to break their fasts with. The menu is completed with mochi ice cream and a hot beverage.
Available throughout Ramadan, iftar from sunset to 9pm, suhoor from 10.30pm-11.30pm, Dh199 per person, 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant, The Galleria, Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi, www.99sushibar.com
American iftar at Burger and Lobster
DIFC restaurant, Burger and Lobster, has created a five-course menu of its culinary highlights to serve after dark this Ramadan. The menu includes a soup of the day, the classic cheeseburger, a mini shrimp roll, a generous serving of lobster and a tres leches dessert.
Available throughout Ramadan, iftar from sunset, Dh 149 per person, Burger and Lobster, Burj Daman Building, DIFC, www.burgerandlobster.com
Italian suhoor at Gia Dubai
Gia Ristorante is fusing Italian cuisine and Middle Eastern flavours for its suhoor offerings this year. An a la carte menu, available from 9pm, will include an antipasti piatto of a platter consisting of halloumi bruschetta, arancini, polpette, sundried tomato paste and homemade garlic-infused bread; a shakshuka pizza and a calzone, stuffed with mozzarella, cheddar, and halloumi, along with spicy salami, tomatoes and is served with rocket leaves.
Available throughout Ramadan, 9pm-2am, from Dh39 per dish, Gia Ristorante, The Dubai Mall, Fashion Avenue Extension, 04 234 9986
Mexican iftar at Muchachas
Instagram-friendly eatery Muchachas is inviting diners to break their fast the Mexican way, with a four-course menu of guacamole and chicken wings, followed by their choice of main. Options include the chicken quesadillas, nachos and zucchini tostada, accompanied by one of the special house mocktails.
Available throughout Ramadan, iftar from sunset until late, Dh149 per person, Muchachas, Holiday Inn Express in Al Safa, www.muchachasdubai.com
Indian iftar at Bombay Brasserie
Try an iftar with an Indian twist at the Taj Dubai’s signature Indian restaurant, Bombay Brasserie. The three-course set menu includes qabargaah, Kashmiri-style lamb chops; murgh angara, a tandoor-smoked chicken dish; and kariveplai prawn varuval, spicy fried prawns flavoured with curry leaves. Special drinks and desserts are also on the menu.
Available throughout Ramadan, iftar from sunset until 9pm, Dh195 per person, Bombay Brasserie, Taj Dubai, 04 438 3222
Peruvian Iftar at Lima Dubai, City Walk
Peruvian restaurant, Lima Dubai, is serving a Peru-inspired iftar feast, offering an alternative way to break the fast this Ramadan. A carefully curated Iftar menu showcasing a selection of Lima's signature dishes. A feast priced at Dh199 welcomes guests with traditional dates and bread basket, served at the table, after which guest will be treated to seven delicious dishes designed to share. Highlights include lamb seco (slow cooked lamb shoulder served with Peruvian pumpkin puree) and the dessert texture of chocolate, a heady mix of dark chocolate mousse, white chocolate ice cream and crunch chocolate ‘soil’.
Iftar served daily throughout Ramadan from sunset until 8.30pm, Dh190 per person, Lima Dubai, The Square, City Walk, limadubai.com
Anatolian and Turkish iftar at Ruya Dubai
Turkish restaurant Ruya Dubai is serving an Anatolian and Turkish iftar this Ramadan. Guests can expect to be welcomed with dates, before dining on a soup of the week. From there they will be offered a selection of cold and warm starters, such as isli patican, simit-coated baby squid, bőrek, karpuz peynir and pide. They will then select their choice of main course, before finishing with a selection of sweet Turkish treats. Mains include the whole grilled sea bream, marinated baby chicken, ali zazik and kuru fasulye or arpa sehriye pilavi.
Available throughout Ramadan, iftar from sunset until 9pm, a la carte menu available from 9pm, Dh249 per person, Ruya Dubai, Grosvenor House Hotel, 04 399 9123
American barbecue iftar at Dickey's Barbecue Pit
Both the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches of Dickey’s Barbecue Pit are serving iftar this Ramadan. For Dh69 per person, make your own iftar selection, choosing a two-meat plate and two sides, to enjoy with a side of lentil soup and water. The meat plates include slow-smoked beef brisket, beef sausage, smoked turkey and chicken, and the sides available are fries, waffle fries, onion rings, creamy spinach, mac n’ cheese, barbecue beans, steamed vegetables, rice, coleslaw and Caesar salad.
Available throughout Ramadan, iftar from sunset until 3am (Dubai) or 2am (Abu Dhabi), Dh69 per person, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Residences, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Abu Dhabi, Yas Mall, www.dickeys.ae
Chinese iftar at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi
Sample fine Chinese iftar dishes at Hakkasan Abu Dhabi this Ramadan. The four-course set menu starts with wild mushroom soup, followed by the restaurant’s signature Peking duck and the chef’s selection of dim sum, featuring lobster dumplings, abalone and chicken shui mai and wild mushroom dumplings. Then come the mains: guests can choose between steamed grouper with spring onion, wok-fried beef with shiitake mushroom or stir-fried vegetables. Dessert will include vanilla and date ice cream with a variety of traditional Arabian sweets.
Available throughout Ramadan, iftar from sunset until 8pm, Hakkasan Abu Dhabi, Dh228 per person, Hakkasan Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace, 02 690 7739, hakkasan@emiratespalace.ae
Italian iftar at Bice Mare
This Ramadan, Souk Al Bahar restaurant Bice Mare is serving the La Famiglia menu at iftar. The selection includes a mix of Italian antipasti dishes; the gnocchi fritti al tartufo, panzerotti al forno and parmigiana di melanzane all sound delicious. There will then be a selection of homemade pasta dishes to choose between, followed by hearty mains, like the slow-roasted lamb shank served with mash potatoes and roasted chicken, and seasonal vegetables with truffle demiglace.
Available throughout Ramadan, iftar from sunset until 11pm, Dh195 per person, Bice Mare, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, Hakkasan Abu Dhabi, www.bicemare.com
Peruvian iftar at Coya Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Coya is serving an iftar of quintessential Peruvian dishes this Ramadan. The meal starts with a fresh juice, followed by your choice of soup, then a selection of starters, including bocadillos de Wagyu (sliders), croquetas (croquettes), chicken tacos and avocado maki rolls. Guests can then choose one main from a selection that includes corn-fed chicken, a salmon fillet, a vegetarian stew, Chilean sea bass and more.
Available throughout Ramadan, iftar from sunset until 8.30pm, Dh199 per person at Coya Abu Dhabi and Dh250 per person at Coya Dubai, www.coyarestaurant.com
Spanish Iftar at Toro + KO, City Walk
Barcelona-inspired tapas restaurant, Toro + Ko is serving a Spanish-style iftar at The Square, City Walk. Sit down for a three-course feast of traditional Spanish fare, starting with a plate of Toro Tapas to share. For main course guests can enjoy Catalonia-style paella made with saffron rice and seasonal vegetables. And to finish there will be a choice of three mouthwatering desserts including churros.
Iftar served daily throughout Ramadan from sunset until 8.30pm, Dh199 per person, Toro + Ko, The Square, City Walk, torodubai.com
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Read more:
Ramadan 2019: What is it about Vimto that makes it such a staple of the holy month?
Ramadan 2019: Emirates is set to serve 1 million dates this year
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