What's for iftar? 24 signature dishes from restaurants across Dubai

From a metre-long kebab to vegan donburi, we've scoured the city to find the most original and delicious chefs' creations this Ramadan

• 

  Head chef Ryan Thomas from Ramadan Nights by Dish in Al Quoz, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Slow-braised lamb shoulder in Middle Eastern spices, scented rice pilaf, confit garlic and lemon yoghurt from Ramadan Nights by Dish. The dish uses traditional, regional ingredients and techniques, with the chef adding an Australian spin. The lamb is marinated for two days and then braised for six hours, to give it a depth of flavour. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Semolina and lemon sponge, pomegranate sorbet, sidr honey mascarpone, almond and lavender shortbread, berries and mint from Ramadan Nights by Dish. It's the chef's take on a Middle Eastern sundae. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Executive chef Praveen Singh from Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor at The Canvas Hotel Dubai MGallery. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Deconstructed tandoori raan from Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor. Traditional Indian-spiced marinated leg of baby lamb served on smoked charcoal grill with the chef's signature gravy. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Charcoal Rasmalai snow from Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor, a Himalayan dessert of fresh cheese, condensed milk, activated charcoal and lychee pebbles. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Head chef Emil Helmy from Oni at the Shangri-La Hotel, Downtown Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Vegetable ramen from Oni. A light, traditional vegetable broth based on recipes from Hokkaido, with homemade pickled vegetables and hand-made nishiyama ramen. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  The Oni Iftar signature platter, including organic chicken gyoza, chef's sushi selection, and salmon tacos. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Head chef Brian Voelzing from The Loft at Dubai Opera. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Pan-roasted hammour, ratatouille and toasted pine nuts from The Loft at Dubai Opera. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Lobster mac and cheese, with Omani lobster and grueyere cream sauce from The Loft at Dubai Opera. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Head chef Gokhan Cokelez from Villamore at Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Grilled Australian spring lamb cutlets served with roasted eggplant topped with zaatar, greek yoghurt, pomegranate, garlic chips and mint, from Villamore. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Seafood stew with cous cous from Villamore. The recipe is based on a traditional Sicilian stew created by Arabs who inhabited the island for centuries. The chef says: "Only the freshest seafood is used swimming in a sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes and couscous pearls from Sicily." Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Head chef Tony Jardella from Hillhouse Brasserie at Dubai Hills Golf Club. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Tofu and mushroom donburi, with mushrooms, stir-fried vegetables, vegetarian teriyaki sauce and toasted sesame seeds from Hillhouse Brasserie. It's vegan and gluten-free. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Cauliflower pakoras, with crispy okra balti, lime and mint pickle, and mango and apple chutney from Hillhouse Brasserie. The dish is again vegan and gluten-free. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Sous-chef Rajpal Singh from Mmmbox, Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Masala asparagus from Mmmbox. An asparagus filling is cooked with masala, tomatoes and onions and piled into a soft 'phulka' taco that the asparagus is wrapped around. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Burrata dahl with truffle kulcha from Mmmbox. The dahl has been slow-cooked for 24 hours to make it creamier and more flavourful. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Head chef Ali Fouad from Khaymat Al Bahar at Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Lamb ouzi from Khaymat Al Bahar at Jumeirah Al Qasr. Chef Ali Fouad says: "A staple main course in Ramadan, this authentic Middle Eastern dish is popular across the GCC and found at most iftar spreads and often cooked at home. The dish is painstakingly created over three to four hours and consists of an entire lamb cooked and served with Oriental rice." Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Ablama from Khaymat Al Bahar at Jumeirah Al Qasr. In this Lebanese dish, the marrow is stuffed with minced meat, a little rice and cooked in yoghurt, then served with basmati rice and vermicelli noodles. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Head chef Aphichat Amatmontri from Pai Thai at Jumeirah Al Qasr, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Goong Phad Med Ma Muang: wok-fried crispy prawns with cashew nuts, spring onions, dried chilli and oyster sauce from Pai Thai at Jumeirah Al Qasr. Chef Amatmontri explains: "This is a favourite with all our guests, which is why it made the shortlist for our iftar menu. The combination of seafood, nuts and traditional Thai ingredients makes this dish a welcome alternative main course for those looking to enjoy an iftar meal twist." Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Yam Som: an appetiser of pomelo salad with dried coconut, peanuts, fried onion, coriander and Thai dressing from Pai Thai at Jumeirah Al Qasr. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Head chef Muhammad Luqman from Kcal, Healthcare City, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Tahini brownie from Kcal. It's made with zero sugar or flour but with an Arabian twist, as it's drizzled in sweet tahini sauce. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Chicken makloubeh from Kcal. Cubes of roast chicken breast have been marinated in Middle Eastern spices and topped with roasted cauliflower, aubergine, potato and a tomato-flavoured rice. The dish is served with yoghurt cucumber sauce. Zero preservatives and oils are used in the making of the dish, and the chicken is marinated for 24 hours before being steamed. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Chef Sharif from Shayan Restaurant at Swissotel Al Ghurair, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  A metre-long kebab from Shayan Restaurant. It includes joojeh (saffron-flavoured chicken thigh kebab), kubideh (minced lamb kebab flavoured with onion and parsley), masti (veal tenderloin kebab marinated in labneh and pepper), and comes with a variety of accompaniments. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Mego kebab from Shayan Restaurant. Charcoal-grilled jumbo shrimp kebabs are flavoured with saffron and lemon juice. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Head chef Sushil Kumar from Courtyard by Marriott, Al Barsha, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Prawn biryani from Courtyard by Marriott. Chef Kumar says: "It is a mixed rice dish with its origins among the Muslims, dating back to the Indian Mughals. This dish is especially popular throughout the Indian subcontinent. It is usually made with Indian spices, rice, meat, vegetables or eggs." Chris Whiteoak / The National

• 

  Lamb tajine from Courtyard by Marriott. Chris Whiteoak / The National

From traditional favourites to totally original recipes, chefs across the UAE have gone all out to impress their diners this Ramadan.

Whether you fancy Arabian staples, contemporary Japanese or something a bit more fusion, Dubai has it all – and so we've scoured the emirate to find the most unique, beautifully plated or delicious-sounding dishes on iftar menus this season.

We spoke to 12 chefs from a range of restaurants, and asked them to name their top two signature dishes.

Scroll through the photo gallery above to meet the chefs and get a peek at their two favourite dishes.

This includes a metre-long kebab at a hotel in Al Ghurair, the vegan tofu donburi at a golf course in Dubai Hills, and Australian-Middle Eastern creations in Al Quoz, plus plenty more.

Tofu and mushroom donburi from Hillhouse Brasserie at Dubai Hills Golf Club. Chris Whiteoak / The National

At The Loft at Dubai Opera, head chef Brian Voelzing has used fresh local seafood to create modern dishes that suit the venue's upmarket atmosphere. Case in point: his mac and cheese made with Omani lobster, gruyere sauce and homemade pasta. "This mac and cheese is on another level of deliciousness," he comments.

Lobster mac and cheese from The Loft at Dubai Opera. Chris Whiteoak / The National

If Indian cuisine is more your thing, then Mmmbox at Reem Mall has an interesting take on classic dahl, using burrata cheese and truffle kulcha. "It has been slow cooked for 24 hours to give it a creamier and flavourful taste that leaves you wanting more," says sous-chef Rajpal Singh.

Burrata dahl with truffle kulcha from Mmmbox. Chris Whiteoak / The National

For a taste of the Far East, Oni at the Shangri-La Hotel in Downtown Dubai does a fantastic iftar platter, featuring organic chicken gyoza, the chef's sushi selection and salmon tacos. "It's a mix of Oni signature dishes in one plate, giving the guest an experience of contemporary Japanese iftar," says head chef Emil Helmy.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - May 13, 2019: Iftar Signature Dish. The Oni Iftar signature platter from Oni at the Shangri La hotel. Monday the 13th of May 2019. Downtown, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National Chefs description: Organic chicken gyoza, chefs sushi selection, and aromatic salmon taco. A mix of Oni signature dishes in one plate, giving the guest an experience of contemporary Japanese Iftar.

From high-end cuisine to cheap eats, you're bound to find something that'll tickle your tastebuds in this gallery.

_________________

Read more:

Iftar review: Enjoy mezze, meat and more at Rixos Saadiyat Island

Iftar review: Try nutritious and delicious bites at Hakkasan

Iftar review: Enjoy the authentic ambience at Emirati restaurant Al Mashowa in Dubai

_________________