Feasts to remember
Whether you’re looking for lavish spreads or simple fare, we bring you 20 of the best spots in Dubai to end your fast
BOL GAPPA
The Iftar menu at Bollywood-inspired fusion food restaurant Bol Gappa includes dates, salad, papad, pickle, rose sherbet, water, a choice of starter from a selection of Soya Khurana, Chicken Tikka Ala Re or Chicken Khurana; any four mains from a wide selection of Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka Masala, Paan Singh Tomar Masala, Paneer Khurchan, Dal Makhani, Daal Tadka and a Biryani of your choice. Mains will be served with naan and roti on the side. Complete the meal with a dessert. Iftar is priced at Dh59 per person.
LEILA
The Iftar menu at Leila offers a four-course meal featuring little nibbles for the table shared dishes, and mains, followed by desserts. End your fast with Ramadan beverages like jallab and dates accompanied with Leila’s homemade soup. The evening also includes cold and hot mezze like Fattoush, Moutabbal, Hummus, Fried Cheese rolls and Potato Coriander. Followed by mains like Mixed Grilled or Leila’s Oriental Dish. Finally, end the night on a sweet note, choosing from dessert options like Original Osmallieh and Rice pudding. Iftar is priced at Dh160 per person inclusive of soft drinks.
SHANGHAI ME
This Ramadan, Shanghai Me serve an iftar of signature dishes curated by Chef Shane Macneill alongside new specials designed to celebrate the month of Ramadan. Changing on a weekly basis, the Iftar was created to be shared between friends, family and loved ones. The menu begins with a choice of soups. To follow, a selection of signature dishes will be served to each table, including the Roast Chicken and Black Cod, alongside Prawn Toast, Vegetable Spring Rolls, Cucumber and Avocado Salad, Dim Sum, Rice and Broccoli. For dessert, Chef Shane Macneill has developed a special Date Cake, served with Miso Caramel and Passion Fruit Ice Cream. Iftar is priced at Dh245 per person.
SCALINI
The family-style sharing menu at Scalini changes weekly, offering a wide selection of dishes. Designed to be shared between family and friends, guests can begin their meal with Minestrone, Pasta e Fagioli or Lentil soup, before light, refreshing starters of Mista Quinoa Salad, Ricotta Bresaola, Mozzarella in Carrozza, fried mozzarella with a rich tomato sauce, Calamari Alla Luciana, squid sautéed with fresh tomato, garlic, chilli and olives, and Burrata with Datterini tomatoes. Main courses include Gameroni Fra Diavola, prawns flambeed with chilli, garlic and served with steamed rice, Piccatina Limone, veal escalope with a signature lemon sauce, Lasagne, Chicken Milanese, Penne Arrabiata, Ravioli with Spinach and Ricotta, and a classic Spaghetti Bolognese. Each meal ends with a sweet Dake Cake. Iftar is priced at Dh345 per person.
BELLA
Available every evening throughout Ramadan, the meal at Bellastarts in-house specially prepared pane e frutta secca, sourdough bread with dried fruits and nuts with date butter, followed by starters including; zuppa di borlotti Borlotti beans soup, riso croccante e datteri puffed white rice, dates and spices and mousse di ceci, chickpea and peanut hummus. Mains include a delicious selection of rice dishes including; riso orientele e agnello pilaf rice, capsicum, pistachio, raisins, saffron and confit lamb leg, or riso orientale e baba ganush pilaf rice, capsicum, pistachio, raisins, saffron & eggplant baba ganush. Save room for dessert with a delicious galeto al latte di cammello, camel milk ice cream, cherries, almond crumble. Iftar is priced at Dh250 per person.
TAIKO DUBAI
Try an innovative three-course Iftar menu that combines Asian and Arabic influences. Noteworthy dishes from the menu include the Wasabi flavoured Felafel as well as Couscous & Lobster infused with mild Arabic spices. Mains feature an assortment of plates including Wagyu Biryani, a traditional yet modern take on the much-loved Emirati dish, and Baby Chicken marinated with miso and pomegranate. All entrees are accompanied by servings of Asparagus with Tahina, roasted asparagus served with a splash of tahini dressing. The Iftar ends with a choice of desserts, including the Umm Ali infused with matcha and served with a date ice cream. Iftar is priced at Dh195.
BRASSERIE BOULUD
This year, Chef Daniel Boulud will do a French take on Iftar. End your fast with dates and a Pistou broth soup with seasonal vegetables followed by an assortment of starters to share, including local burrata with artichokes and pickled za’atar and wild mushroom felafel doused in tahini dressing. Then a selection from the grill such as prawns with smoked garlic and grilled lime, herb brushed bavette and seabream with sumac and parsley. Then an ouzi style lamb shank with oriental rice and a daily local catch cooked on the grill with a blend of local spices. Finish the meal with signature desserts like saffron poached pear tartlet served with pistachio cream, or go for a warm date pudding, dripping with salted caramel and accompanied by local honey ice cream. Iftar is priced at Dh195 per person.
HUTONG
Guests will be welcomed with dates and a choice of soup, including Crab & Golden Pumpkin Soup, Chicken & Matsutake Mushroom Noodle Soup or Chinese Leek & Chilli Pepper Soup. Then a selection of starters such as Vegetarian Spring Rolls, Wild Mushroom & Truffle Bao and Prawn & Chicken Siu Mai. Diners can continue with
a medley of dishes including the aromatic Wok-Tossed Beef Tenderloin with Laoganma chilli sauce, spiced Yu Xiang Crispy Eggplant and signature Hutong Fried Rice. Combining Arabic and Chinese flavours, the Date Pudding provides a sweet end to the meal. Iftar is priced at Dh198.
EAT & MEAT
This Ramadan, gather with friends and family and enjoy an Iftar at Eat & Meat with a special menu served directly to the table. Dishes include traditional bites such as Hot and Cold Mezze, Mixed Grill, Lamb Ouzi and Arabic Sweets. Those eager to book in advance can take advantage of a special earlybird offer of 20 per cent off when booking before April 12. Iftar is priced at Dh159.
CLAYPOT
Priced at a reasonable Dh49 per person, the Ramadan Iftar menu at Claypot, offers jallab and dates, followed by some hot and cold mezze, including hummus, moutabel, kibbe, fattoush, kebabs and felafel. Claypot’s signature food will be served as the main course including mutton kofta handi, chicken korma, kadai vegetables, chicken majboos or biryani and dal makhani. The meal will end on a sweet note with traditional Indian desserts.
FETA RESTAURANT AT EDGE
The popular Feta Restaurant at the EDGE Creekside Hotel in Dubai’s bustling Deira neighbourhood will host an authentic Iftar buffet priced at Dh95 per adult and Dh48 for children. Starting with traditional classics including hummus, moutabel and tabbouleh, spinach and cheese fatayer and soups, guests can also enjoy shish tawook, lamb kofta, lamb kebab, chicken frikah, shaikh el mahshi and fish sayadieh. An Indian food section will serve butter chicken while chefs at the ouzi station will offer the much-loved roasted lamb and oriental rice dish.
COUQLEY FRENCH BISTRO & BAR
Couqley French Bistro & Bar has created a two and three-course special Iftar menu available all throughout Ramadan. The perfect Iftar for those in search of somewhere cosy with foods that range from well-known favourites to flavours of Arabia. Customers can choose from a two-course meal for Dh149 or a three-course meal for Dh179. The set menu includes a variety of options like Steak Frites or new additions such as the Lamb Rack & Smoked Aubergine.
ILA
This Ramadan, Ila will welcome Ramadan with an Iftar menu offering modern Arabic dishes for Dh69 per person in a chic setting with great views of Al Seef in the background. The Iftar menu includes dates, Ramadan drinks, lentil or vegetables soup, Fattoush, Cheese roll, Spring roll and vine leaves for starters. The sharing style mains platter will include Mix grilled, Mozah with Arabic rice, Mozah with molokhia, Tagine okras with meat, Tagine Chicken cream, Tagine, Seafood cream and Arabic veal with rice. Finish the Iftar meal with Rice pudding and Um Ali.
MAREA
Celebrate Ramadan at Marea DIFC, with a three-course Iftar fusing Coastal Italy and the Middle East. Start with an Italian tomato soup and Mezze plate, the first course is one of Marea’s best-selling dishes, the Italian Burrata. The main course is a hearty handmade Rigatoni pasta and Wagyu beef Bolognese. Finish the meal on a sweet note, with an explosion of chocolate goodness thanks to the delicacy dessert, Cioccolato. Iftar is priced at Dh249 per person.
WESLODGE SALOON
Weslodge are breaking from the norm to serve a North American themed Iftar feast. Available every day from sunset to 8.30pm, the curated Iftar menu will mix up the traditional and the unexpected across four courses. The Iftar menu includes classic dates, bread, hummus and lentil soup on arrival then takes guests a little further across the Atlantic. Highlights include golden calamari, grilled chicken wings, old menu favourite of Southern Fried Chicken just like mamma used to make and a USDA Ribeye from Weslodge’s famous hardwood and charcoal grill. Not forgetting the veggies, there’s a creamy truffle barley risotto and Weslodge Saloon’s famous straight from the grill roasted cauliflower with aio blanco sauce. Taking guests back to the Middle East for the final act, the awardwinning chef team has created their take on classic pistachio baklava. Weslodge’s Iftar Menu includes a soup, three starters, three mains, two sides dishes and dessert followed by two mocktails per person. Iftar is priced at Dh450 per couple.
HOTEL CARTAGENA
Hotel Cartagena is serving up an Iftar feast that blends Latin American flair with traditional Arabic flavours, the Iftar menu will feature a roster of Latin-American-Arabic fusion bites to share across starters, mains, sides and dessert, along with two Ramadan freshly pressed in house juices and dates. Highlights include calabaza, black bean and avocado hummus blended with za’atar, a soup of lentil and chicken chorizo served with a lime crème Fraiche, golden mushroom and cheese empanadas, juicy lamb chops chargrilled and served with a glazed rocoto puree and plantain fried rice. To end Ion a sweet note, there’s classic Mexican tres leches and crisp-edged bunuelos laced with chilli and chocolate as well as pineapple icebox cake, zingy key lime pie and profiteroles. Iftar is priced at Dh199 per person.
FARZI CAFE
Farzi Cafe has created an innovative Iftar menu that blends Indian and MiddleEastern flavours. Served with a theatrical flair, the Iftar menu will start with a date yoghurt ‘welcome shot’ before launching into a light Chicken Mulligatawny soup flavoured with Indian spices. A selection of crowd-pleasing kebabs will follow. Mains include Chicken Tikka on a bed of mint-infused Pulao with Matha spheres and Northern Indian favourite Paneer Tikka Lababdaar served with tomato-based gravy and fluffy oregano paratha. Dessert will be Indian favourite syrupsoaked jalebis, this time infused with charcoal for a dramatic look and served with a rich mascarpone. Each guest will also get a complimentary Vimto and the chance to sample a brand new milk-based Falooda. Iftar is priced at Dh149.
CE LA VI DUBAI
Ce La Vi is launching an Iftar menu to end your fast in style, with great food and stunning views. Enjoy a three-course menu in the lounge, which includes starters such as; Baby Gem Lettuce Salad with radicchio, radish, edamame, puffed rice, ginger sesame dressing, or Winter Squash Soup with date cream and pomegranate. Mains include a selection of mouth-watering dishes such as; Roasted Black Cod with sweetcorn pudding and miso beurre blanc and Grilled Baby Chicken Satay with coconut rice, coriander, Thai basil and peanut satay nage. Finish your meal with a healthy assortment of fruits. Enjoy a three-course meal inside the lounge for Dh250 per person, or go al fresco with three courses and shisha for Dh350 per person at the pool deck.
FLOW KITCHEN
Flow Kitchen is offering traditional Arabic cuisine to end the day’s fast with a familystyle, set menu for Iftar. The feast starts with cold mezze, dates and a range of starters upon arrival followed by sharing platters of mixed grills, kebabs, harra potatoes and other treats. Iftar is priced at Dh215 per person.
THE RITZ-CARLTON, DIFC
Enjoy Lebanese cold mezze and hot mezze while main courses like Lamb Ouzzi with Saffron rice, Mixed Grill, slow-cooked Lamb Chops, Roasted Beef, Chicken with Potato, Grilled Sea Bass, Vegetable Salona and Vermicelli rice are also featured on the menu. The sweet finale is a spread of live dessert stations including Mixed Berry Cobbler, Saffron Rice Pudding, Chocolate Truffle Cake, a freshly fried Kataif station, Cheese Kunafa station, freshly made Crepes, Turkish Ice-cream and a traditional Arabic sweet station. Iftar is priced at Dh219 per person.