One Ramadan tradition we always recommend is a visit to one of the city’s more formal Iftar offerings. It’s a time of year when the beautiful venues and decor we often take for granted really come into their own, from iconic floating restaurants to the desert dunes. Â
Here is our selection of Five Star Iftar events from around Dubai for the 2024 season.
A visit to Al Khaima, located in Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, promises an unforgettable buffet Iftar, perfect for an evening with friends and family. With different menus available throughout the month, start your meal with a selection of soups, followed by Anti-Pasti before delving into a delicious range of cold and hot mezze. A variety of mixed grills such as spiced shish taouk, and soft marinated grilled lamb chops, as well as a shawarma station, whole lamb ouzi and chef’s special buffet corner with biryanis, steamed vegetables, and a variety of fish dishes are also available. You can end your Iftar experience on a sweet note, with classic Arabic desserts such as Umm Ali, kunafa, assorted baklawa, ma’amoul, pastries and more. Sit back and relax whilst listening to the sounds of the Oud and Tabla under the stars.
Dates:Â Daily
Time:Â Sunset until 8:30 PM
Offer:Â AED 230 per person
Book: +971 4 316 5555 or www.alkhaima-dubai.com
2. Azur, Raffles Salon & Raffles Garden, Raffles Dubai
Famous for offering its yearly sumptuous Iftar, Raffles Dubai invites you to feast on an array of flavorful dishes crafted by Lebanese Executive Chef Hassan Abdallah and his team. Indulge in a variety of Iftar favourites including hot and cold mezzeh, Arabic mixed grills, seafood stations, and home comfort dishes such as kibbeh bil laban, machboos, warak enab with lamb chops. Satisfy your sweet tooth with hand-crafted Arabic desserts including Umm Ali, kunafa and sticky date pudding. Ramadan juices such as tamarind, qamar al deen, jallab and laban ayran will complement your Iftar experience. You can also upgrade to a private garden cabana (minimum of four guests) which includes cold starters to break your fast at the table, followed by your main course from Azur buffet.
Dates:Â Daily
Time:Â Sunset until 10:00 PM
Offer:Â AED 235 per person inclusive of Ramadan juices, coffee and tea.
AED 285 per person for private garden cabana (minimum of four guests, including cold starts to break your fast on the table and main course from Azur buffet). Children under the age of six dine for free (one per paying adult) and children aged seven to 12 can avail a 50% discount. Â
Book:Â 04-324 8888 or dining.dubai@raffles.com
3. Bushra Dubai, Grosvenor House
As the sun sets, head to Bushra at Grosvenor House Dubai for a specially curated Iftar menu this Ramadan. Break your fast with a selection of refreshing Ramadan juices and Laban, as well as a selection of dates and dried fruits. Bushra will be serving up a spectacular meal with a variety of cold mezze such as fattoush salad, silky hummus Beiruti style, and Moroccan zaalouk. Hot mezze will include Turkish pide, sujuk beef sausages and delicious mains including mixed grills and lamb ouzi. Dessert will include traditional Arabic and Turkish delights, fresh fruits, international sweets, cakes and pastries.
Date:Â Daily
Time:Â Sunset until 8:30 PM
Offer:Â AED 280 per person including a selection of Ramadan juices.
Book:Â 04 317 6556 or www.bushra-dubai.com
4. The St. Regis Downtown, Dubai
This year, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the city's mesmerising water canal views, The St. Regis Downtown Dubai takes the iftar experience to new heights. Guests are welcomed with a grand gold tunnel entrance that sets the scene for a captivating setting designed to immerse them in tradition and transport them to a world of elegance and sophistication. The terrace includes private gazebos exquisitely decorated with lights and drapes, providing an intimate setting for cherished moments with loved ones. The enchanting atmosphere is further complemented by the exquisite furnishings, featuring white tabletops with gold bases and white chairs adorned with intricate Mashrabiya designs.
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At the heart of the celebration is the sumptuous iftar menu curated to blend traditional favourites with contemporary delights. Diners can indulge in a variety of cherished classics and more. Among the offerings are live interactive stations, velvety lentil soup accompanied by za'atar croutons, silky hummus, refreshing fattoush salad, succulent lamb mansaf, and an extravagant selection of desserts. Adding to the ambience, will be a live oud player and singer.Â
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Date: Daily
Time: Sunset till 9:30 pm
Offer: AED250 per person, 50% off for kids from 4 to 12 years old and kids below 4 dine for free.
Book: +971 4 512 5555 / Restaurant.Reservations@stregis.com
5. Tagine, One&Only Royal Mirage
A gastronomic journey through Morocco awaits guests this Ramadan at Tagine at One&Only Royal Mirage, where traditional Moroccan aromas fill the air with the perfect ambience to begin the feast. Throughout the holy month, Tagine will host a traditional Iftar sharing menu experience from sunset till 9 pm, followed by an enticing a la carte menu from 9 pm onwards. Diners will have a host of choices from melt-in-the-mouth Tagines, fluffy couscous, spiced kebabs, and signature sharing mains, including meghoui, roasted lamb shoulder served with fresh mint, saffron rice and crushed almonds.
Date: Throughout Ramadan
Time: Iftar: From sunset till 9 pm, a-la-carte menu available after 9 pm
Offer: Adult sharing menu is priced at AED 260; for kids, it's AED120.Â
Book:Â Contact restaurants@oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae or call +971 4 315 2412
6. Ninive, Bab Al Shams
Ninive Bab Al Shams invites guests to embark on a spiritual journey in the middle of the enchanting desert landscape. Throughout the sacred month of Ramadan, Ninive Bab Al Shams is presenting a distinguished Iftar experience. Guests will enjoy a specially crafted menu, priced at AED 285 per person, inclusive of refreshing soft drinks. Ninive Bab Al Shams will also be serving Suhoor with A La Carte menu available from 9pm onwards, allowing guests to prolong their evening with delectable delights under the stars. Guests can enjoy an assortment of flavoured shisha while playing backgammon, encouraging moments with friends and loved ones.Â
Date:Â Daily
Time: From sunset until 9pm
Offer:Â AED 285 inclusive of soft drinks.
Book:Â +971 04 809 6203 | book@ninivebabalshams.aeÂ
7. Amelia Restaurant and Lounge, Address Sky View, Downtown Dubai
With stunning interiors, award-winning cuisine, impeccable service, and an electric atmosphere, Amelia is the ideal place to break your fast at sunset. Guests are encouraged to visit the retro futuristic steampunk inspired restaurant and travel through a culinary journey born of Japanese & Peruvian origins this Ramadan. The Iftar set menu offers diners a mix of shared Ensaladas and Aperitivos for the table, as well as crowd favourites for the mains such as; Corn Fed Baby Chicken, Machu Picchu Grain-fed Australian Wagyu, Miso Black Cod sprinkled with almonds flakes, or Australian Lamb Chops with Teppanyaki vegetables.
Date:Â Daily
Time: 7pm to 3am
Offer:Â AED 295Â
Book:Â +9714 328 2805 or reservations.dubai@amelialounge.comÂ
8. Zenon, Kempinski Central Avenue Hotel
Zenon invites you to experience an extraordinary Iftar celebration under the stars. Guests can enjoy their first meal of the day under the stars in the open air terrace, or indoors surrounded by high definition screens showcasing unique celestial art. Zenon’s curated Iftar menu brings together the rich flavours of Mediterranean cuisine infused with Asian elements. Zenon’s culinary team, led by the talented Executive Chef Lorenzo Buccarini has crafted an exclusive Iftar menu that promises to be a feast for the senses. The hand curated menu unfolds with an option of traditional lentil or tofu soup, which is then followed by a selection of Mezze that includes Hummus, Baba Ghanoush, and Tzatziki, or a selection of Tomato Salad with Stracciatella, pine nuts and basil. For the main course, diners will have a choice of Kibbeh-Bulgur and mince beef kofte, burnt eggplant in a soy miso glaze with feta mousse confit tomato, Poached Sea Bass fillet with tomato, olive, and caper sauce, or a Begendi - served with milk feed lamb stew and potatoes. Diners will then be treated to a selection of pastries for dessert including, Baklava, Kunefe, and Kadaifi.Â
Date:Â Daily
Time: Sunset to 9pm
Offer:Â AED 295Â
Book:Â +971 4 837 7222
9. Iftar Al Malika, The Lido, QE2, Dubai
The lavish Iftar Al Malika at the Lido Restaurant onboard the infamous QE2 hotel in Dubai promises a  sumptuous array of food stations offering a variety of traditional delicacies that showcase the best of Middle Eastern cuisine as well as international favourites. Highlights include lamb ouzi with oriental rice, an assortment of specialty dishes, succulent grills, wide selection of mezzes, and exquisite desserts. The Queen Elizabeth 2 becomes a vibrant epicentre of cultural and culinary celebration, seamlessly blending tradition and heritage to offer an extraordinary Ramadan experience.
Date:Â Daily
Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Offer:Â AED 195 per person, AED 90 per child aged 6 to 11 years old. Children below the age of six years dine with our compliments.
Book:Â +971 4 526 8040, Email: dining.qe2@accor.com
10. Punjab Grill, Anantara Downtown Dubai, Business Bay
Celebrate Ramadan at Punjab Grill in Anantara Downtown Dubai with a lavish iftar sharing menu. Â For those seeking a more elaborate affair, the Ramadan Special Menu will be served from 8 PM to 11 PMÂ at AED 250 with a lavish 5-course experience featuring Liwa Dates Sambusek, Toasted Nuts, Veg Pakora on the Table, Bohra Lamb Khurdi Shorba , a tantalising Kebab Platter, a wide selection of four mains, aromatic Biryani, assorted breads, and irresistible desserts.Â
Date:Â Daily
Time: 8pm to 11pm
Offer:Â AED 250 per person,Â
Book:Â +971 50 194 1107