Ramadan: Value iftars (under Dhs150)
What’s on lists the best value iftars in Dubai. From traditional iftar buffets and hearty portions to healthy a la carte options, we’ve got it covered.
More…
– Lavish iftars
– Guide to Ramadan
Ramadan marks the time of the year when evenings quickly fill up with get-togethers among friends and family. While there are some brilliant, rather lavish options worth checking out, the dirhams can quickly add up. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up the best of the budget-friendly options, available all around town – so even though your clothes might end up bursting at the seams, your wallet doesn’t have to.
Al Barsha
Centro Barsha
Expect a buffet of main courses, salads, desserts, and juices at the contemporary restaurant C.Taste.
Centro Barsha, Al Barsha, Dubai, sunset to 10.30pm, Dhs 99. Tel: (04) 7040048. Taxi: Behind Mall of the Emirates. rotana.com
Cravin’ Cajun
If you’re looking for a less-than-traditional evening, it doesn’t come much more different than this American iftar. With a menu running the gamut from mac n’ cheese to chicken and waffles, with peanut butter pies to finish, it certainly fits the bill.
Novotel, Al Barsha, Dubai, Mon to Sat 7.30p to 11pm, Dhs 120. Tel: (04) 3049000. Metro: Sharaf DG. novotel.com
Bur Dubai
Movenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai
Fountain Restaurant has a large international buffet and live kitchen this Ramadan, including traditional drinks.
Movenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai, 19th Street, Oud Metha, Dubai, sunset to 10.30pm, Dhs 139. Tel: (04) 3104320. Taxi: Near Lamcy Plaza. moevenpick-hotels.com
Deira and Dubai Creek
Hilton Dubai Creek
Break fast with family and friends at the contemporary Glasshouse Brasserie where Arabian delicacies are served in an informal setting.
Hilton Dubai Creek, Baniyas Road, Dubai, sunset to 10pm, Dhs 99. Tel: (04) 2271111. Taxi: Hilton Dubai Creek. hilton.com
QD’s
The skyline views from the dedicated iftar tent at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club’s waterfront venue QD’s is second to none. Add to that a traditional, family-style iftar buffet and you’ve got the perfect spot for a relaxing evening.
Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht club, Deira, Dubai, sunset to 9pm, Dhs 150. Tel: (04) 2956000. Taxi: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club. dubaigolf.com
Liwan
This elegant restaurant with an impressive mosaic wall décor hosts a buffet with a special international corner that changes daily.
Al Ghurair Rayhaan By Rotana, Deira, Dubai, sunset to 9pm, Dhs 149. Tel: (04) 2933000. Metro: Union Square. rotana.com
Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek
The iftar here brings together an impressive right restaurants such as Minato, The China Club, and the excellent Shabestan. It features traditional Arabic food plus dishes from China and Japan. What’s more, if you have a table of four, one person eats for free.
Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deria Creek, Baniyas Road, Deira, Dubai, sunset to 10pm, Dhs 149. Tel: (04) 2057333. Metro: Union Square. radissonblue.com
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers
Expect great aromas from the charcoal grill at this iftar within the Hatta restaurant. All sorts of marinated meat will be grilling, plus shwarmas, at this buffet that changes every night.
Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, Dubai, sunset to 8:30pm, Dhs 139. Tel: (04) 2071747. Metro: Union Square. sheratondubaicreek.com
Downtown and Business Bay
Leila
Fresh juices and soups are the order of the day at local favourite Leila’s iftar, while the Downtown branch will also serve its popular breakfast menu during suhoor (1am until 3am).
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, 7pm to 8.30pm, Dhs 140. Tel: (04) 4483384. Metro: Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. leilarestaurant.com. ALSO: Arabian Ranches 2, Mirdif City Centre (iftar only)
Pantry Cafe
Try the Pantry Café’s creative ‘Beat the Buffet’ Iftar offering. Guests can tuck into this iftar with a difference featuring a delectable eight-course menu. From sundown until midnight, both Bay Square and Al Wasl Square branches of the popular eatery will be serving iftar to patrons for Dhs115 per person.
Bay Square, Business Bay, sunset to midnight, Dhs115. Tel: (04) 5587161. pantrycafe.com
Dubai Marina, JBR and Ibn Battuta
Cavalli Caffe
This JBR Café offers a four-course iftar giving you a fusion of Italy and Arabia for a memorable experience with friends and family.
The Beach Mall, JBR, Dubai, daily 10am to 1am, Dhs 140. Tel: (04) 5519671. Taxi: The Walk. cavallicaffedubai.com
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – JBR
If you’re looking for a cosy spot to relax and eat with friends, Al Maeda’s iftar might be the ticket. Signature dishes from the Levant and North African region are served from sunset.
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai, The Walk, JBR, Dubai, sunset to 9pm, Dhs 139. Tel: (055) 1668092. Taxi: Hilton Double Tree. hilton.ae
India Palace
Tuck into an iftar buffet specially crafted with healthy starters and beverage options available at all India Palace outlets throughout Ramadan. Other food options include a rotation of finger licking North Indian delicacies such as chicken tikka and kebab specialties, assorted Indian breads and more.
Ibn Battuta Mall, Dubai, from sunset, Dhs70 (adults), Dhs40 (children). Tel: (04) 3685569. indiapalace.ae
The Talk
Celebrate with family and friends over a traditional iftar buffet offering a variety of hot and cold mezzes, live cooking stations, refreshing juices, and all the seasonal favourites.
Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, JBR, Dubai, sunset to 11pm, Dhs 135. Tel: (04) 4498888. Metro: Dubai Marina. moevenpick-hotels.com
Dubai Media City
Arjaan by Rotana
As well as the usual traditional delicacies on offer, guests can enter weekly draws to win big prizes at Arabesque Café. Media City workers get a 25 per cent discount.
Arjaan By Rotana, Dubai Media City, Dubai, sunset to 10.30pm, Dhs 129. Tel: (04) 4360141. Metro: Nakheel. rotana.com
Avec
Known for its fresh and healthy buffet salad bar, this popular Media City lunch hangout will be serving up an Iftar buffet with a focus on ‘Arabian delights’.
Dubai Media City, Sunset to 9pm for Iftar. Open for lunch and delivery from 11am to 3pm. Dhs95. Tel: (04) 4360141. Metro: Nakheel.
Green Community
Courtyard By Marriott
Dine at the Pine Grill and enjoy an array of Arabic dishes, salads, and sweets.
Courtyard By Marriott, Green Community, Dubai, sunset to 9.30pm, Dhs 140. Tel: (04) 8852222. Taxi: Courtyard By Marriott. marriott.com
Jumeirah
Café Rouge
The UK’s favourite French café’s three-course iftar menu features bistro classics such as onion soup and duck confit. Daytime takeaway will be served throughout Ramadan, while the usual a la carte menu returns later in the evening.
Souk Madinat, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai, sunset to 8.30pm, Dhs 99. Tel: (04) 5546438. Taxi: Souk Madinat. caferouge.ae
Jumeirah Lakes Towers
Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers
The hotel’s star restaurant Nosh is the setting for this iftar of Arabic grills and mezze. If you break your fast here during Ramadan, you’ll be entered into a draw to win a five-night stay, plus flights, at the new Movenpick Hotel Istanbul Golden Horn. The winner will be announced on July 20.
Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster A, sunset to 10.30pm, Dhs 130. Tel: (04) 4380000. Metro: JLT. moevenpick-hotels.com
Sheikh Zayed Road
Crowne Plaza Dubai
Enjoy a unique family dining experience inside the tastefully decorated Zaabeel Hall. Choose from authentic Ramadan delights including hot and cold mezze with vine leaves, sambousek and kebbeh.
Crowne Plaze Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, sunset to 9.30pm, Dhs 145. Tel: (800) 276963. Metro: Emirates Towers. fundining.ae
Reem Al Bawadi
This popular restaurant chain puts on a superb buffet of mezze treats for ifar, backed up by huge dishes filled with substantial main courses.
Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Manara, Dubai, sunset to midnight, Dhs 130. Tel: (04) 3306663. Taxi: Opposite Times Square. reemalbawadi.com. Also: Jumeirah Beach Road, (04) 3947444; Dubai Marina, (04) 4522525; Downtown, (04) 4439690; and Ramada Deira, (04) 2596111.
Towers Rotana
Flavours On Two, the popular restaurant inside Towers Rotana, will serve Arabic fare as well as dates, sweets, and fresh fruit juices.
Towers Rotana, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, sunset to 8.30pm, Dhs 139. Tel: (04) 3122201. Taxi: Towers Rotana. rotana.com
