The month of Ramadan gathers family and friends together around the table to break their fast at sunset and throughout the night, before the sun rises. When the sun sets, extravagant feasts adorn tables and feed families in the dozen during iftars and suhoors. Naturally, this tradition is continued at restaurants in the UAE and in the region. Many of them create special menus with lavish feasts, curated for the month of Ramadan.
In the MICHELIN Guide Dubai and Abu Dhabi, diners will be able to choose from a diverse selection of eateries that offer extravagant iftar packages. From Indian to Italian, Latin American to Arabic, this article lists out the spots you can visit to enjoy a delicious iftar at MICHELIN-recommended restaurants
READ MORE: Make Lentil Soup like a MICHELIN restaurant chef this Ramadan
At MICHELIN-selected Coya, Peruvian flavours take centre stage complemented by Japanese, Chinese, or Spanish influences. Enjoy the Abu Dhabi restaurant's waterfront location this Ramadan as the floor-to-ceiling windows provide a stunning setting to break fast with family. The extensive Iftar menu kicks off with a light soup, dates and focaccia, followed by a variety of appetisers from baby squid and mushroom maki rolls, to fresh burrata and caramelised corn croquettes. Meat enthusiasts will delight in the main dish offerings with Wagyu sirloin and spicy beef fillet to choose from. Don’t leave without finishing off the Ramadan style feast with an indulgent date cake paired with honeycomb ice cream.
Timing: Sunset until 8:30 pm.
MICHELIN-selected Sucre is a trendy DIFC spot that pays homage to Argentina and its Mediterranean heritage with open-fire cooking on display from the immense kitchen on show. Whether seated indoors or on the buzzy terrace, guests can enjoy bold and punchy flavours from chef Fernando Trocca as his curated Iftar menu presents a fire-grilled feast that brings people together this Ramadan. Starters of smoked aubergine and heirloom carrot salad give a nod to traditional Arabic ingredients as do the heartwarming mains such as roasted lamb shoulder with aromatic rice or cheese manakish. Conclude on a sticky sweet note with the classic gooey toffee pudding paired with date ice cream sundae.
Timing: Sunset onwards.
Break your fast under the stars at Middle Eastern Bib Gourmand restaurant, Ninive. Despite its bustling city location, this charming eatery transports diners to an intimate oasis during Ramadan as it’s designed to resemble a Bedouin tent, complete with rugs, lanterns and quaint, cosy corners. The Iftar menu features Arabic classics starting with hummus, cheese briwat and tabbouleh, followed by mains including the mouthwatering slow-braised lamb ouzi. Fresh watermelon and assorted Arabic sweets provide the perfect sugary finish, staying true to the restaurant's Middle Eastern-inspired theme. A charming setting to hang out with friends, with shisha and backgammon included.
Timing: From sunset until 9:00 pm
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In the heart of Downtown Dubai, MICHELIN-selected Jun’s offers an exceptional Iftar experience curated by chef and restaurateur Kelvin Cheung. With his Chinese heritage and Canadian/American upbringing, he’s created a menu that boasts an authentic blend of international influences loved from the usual kitchen rotations. Begin with the refreshing ‘It’s a Date’ mocktail and corn miso dashi soup. Next up is a sharing mezze platter featuring Arabian delicacies with chef Kelvin’s famous third-culture twist, followed by family-style mains of chicken claypot machboos and Jamaican Chinese lamb neck 一 among others 一 promising a filling feed bursting with flavour. A vegetarian Iftar option is also available.
Timing: From sunset until 8:00 pm
One MICHELIN Star: High quality cooking, worth a stop!
Step into the elegance of Emirates Palace to experience the gem that is Talea by Antonio Guida during Ramadan. This one MICHELIN star Italian restaurant under the direction of chef Antonio Guida and helmed by chef Luigi Stinga celebrates ‘cucina di famiglia’ 一 family-style cooking all year round. Enjoy exquisite outdoor settings as the Iftar menu starts with his sharing classic pizza margherita and rich, cheesy parmigiana di melanzane to share amongst the table. Expect full and authentic Italian ingredients for the next course too, as hearty soup of the day or warming fettuccine with fried zucchini, is topped off with a heavenly homemade tiramisu for pudding. Bellissimo.
Timing: From sunset.
Best known for putting a modern twist on Indian cuisine, MICHELIN-selected Carnival by Trèsind is a vibrantly decorated space that greets guests for Iftar with colourful parasols and gilded trees on arrival. Expect confidently cooked dishes, lightly spiced, for an unmissable Iftar menu to share with friends and family. A selection of amuse-bouche kick off the courses with nuts, dates, and delicate bites, followed by bold Indian flavours of lamb chops, chicken angara, or sweet but spicy puli inji prawns. The dishes keep on coming with classic curries such as butter chicken and lamb biryani, but make sure there’s room left for the irresistible tender coconut rasmalai dessert. Not a meat eater? Just ask for the vegetarian Iftar option.
Timing: Starting from sunset.
