Top 20 Ramadan F&B festivities
Ramadan is a busy time for the hospitality industry, with the region’s hotels and F&B outlets vying for customers and promotions flying around all over the place.
Here, the HME.com team brings you its top picks of this year's tastiest Ramadan deals...
The whole portfolio of Address Hotels and Resorts is pulling out the stops this Ramadan, with its five destinations - The Address Downtown Dubai, The Address Dubai Mall, The Address Dubai Marina, The Address Montgomerie Dubai and The Palace The Old Town - offering an array of choices for friends and families to celebrate Ramadan.
Ewaan at The Palace The Old Town will offer an authentic Iftar buffet, with Sohours featuring live cooking stations; while The Address Downtown Dubai will offer Iftar buffets at Fazaris featuring a cosmopolitan blend of cuisine, with an Arabic duo playing soothing traditional tunes.
NA3NA3, the Arabic restaurant at The Address Dubai Mall, provides an ideal venue for a family Iftar, offering a children's buffet and dedicated play area.
Meanwhile Mazina at The Address Dubai Marina will offer delectable international cuisine with a focus on Arabic specialties and a top-end dessert selection.
For a quiet evening, head to The Address Montgomerie Dubai, offering spectacular views of the championship golf course and a tranquil lake. Guests can reserve a private Iftar in the hotel's signature restaurant Nineteen or design an exclusive corporate Iftar for a group in one of the retreat's event venues.
Al Faisaliah Hotel, A Rosewood Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year by offering special summer deals until September 2010.
Khaled Al Idrissi, the hotel's director of marketing, said the season presented 'a wonderful opportunity to expand one's travel experiences - and with the excellent offers available now, it has never been easier to enjoy the exclusive luxury and personalised service synonymous with Al Faisaliah Hotel.'
A number of tailored packages are available that include the signature Friday brunch at La Brasserie and the hotel's highly-anticipated Iftar and Souhour offerings.
Rose Rayhaan by Rotana is offering a tasty Iftar package for just AED 119 net, inclusive of unlimited access to buffet, Ramadan juices and soft drinks.
A special rate of AED 99 net per person is applicable to groups of 10 persons or more.
The Iftar will be held at the property's Petals restaurant, with a daily raffle draw after each Iftar, with prizes including a complimentary room for two.
Renaissance Dubai Hotel has a cracking Ramadan buffet deal at its famous Spice Island outlet, running from August 12 to September 9.
The restaurant will offer a wide selection of Arabic specialities, with enough variety to suit the whole family - at a price of just AED 99 per person.
The Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai is inviting guests to 'discover the spirit and traditions of the holy month' by enjoying its a lavish spread of traditional and international flavours this Ramadan.
The hotel’s extensive Iftar buffet is accompanied by traditional entertainment from an Oud player, all for a cost of just AED 185 AED per person.
For every 10 guests booked, one guest dines for free.
The Media Rotana Dubai is offering two different styles of Ramadan celebration this year.
For a traditional Iftar, guests can break their fast at Channels Restaurant, offering a buffet of authentic Arabic, Oriental and international cuisine for only AED 140 net per person, inclusive of special Ramadan juices and soft drinks.
Or for a more relaxed ambiance, try out the hotel's Ramadan Tent at The Terrace, where guests can relax and enjoy a meal in oriental seating, with shisha and live entertainment.
Go all out with your Iftar celebrations with the Grand Iftar at Al Ameera Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Dubai.
The authentic Arabic buffet features a lavish selection of cuisine, including ouzzi with various side dishes, a daily changing mix grill, and traditional drinks such as Laban Ayran or Kamar Al Dine.
The Grand Iftar is priced at AED 150 per person, including soft drinks; children aged between six and 12 get a 50% discount and children under six dine for free.
Al Bustan Rotana's Choices Restaurant is inviting diners to celebrate with family and friends, with a truly traditional Iftar.
The buffet runs through Choices out into the hotel lobby, featuring a spread of authentic Ramadan dishes showacsing the rich culinary heritage of the Middle East.
The price is AED 145 per person, inclusive of Ramadan juices and soft drinks.
Companies and organisations are also invited to enjoy a private Iftar in the hotel's Grand Rashidiya Ballroom, or in one of its classy meeting rooms. The special group Iftar banquet package start from AED 130 per person.
InterContinental and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City are celebrating Ramadan this year with special room rates and Iftar and Sohour dining options, along with a stunning and atmospheric Ramadan tent, offering a full Iftar buffet for AED 165 per person from sunset to 9pm each night, followed by an eclectic Sohour al la carte menu from 9pm until 3am.
Alternatively, InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City's Al Sultan Brahim restaurant will offer a Lebanese seafood Iftar set menu for AED 165 per person. And a buffet option is available at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City's Zaytoun restaurant, also priced AED 165 per person.
Al Badia Golf Club will also embrace the ambiance of the Holy Month with the Diwan Al Badia terrace offering a delicious Sohour a la carte menu, along with all the usual flavours of Shisha to enjoy next to the scenic views of the golf course waterfalls and Dubai skyline.
Le Meridien Dubai's Yalumba is featuring a fabulous Iftar buffet this Ramadan for only AED 159 per person, including water.
Enjoy an array of Arabic, Asian and international dishes including hot and cold mezzeh, hearty soups, grilled specialties, Ramadan juices plus sweet treats and pastries.
For private parties and corporate events, the chefs at the hotel are also offering customised buffets that can be served up for larger groups in the hotel's ballrooms.
The Coral International Hotel Al Khobar has announced range of Ramadan packages to celebrate the holy month, catering to both guests and residents in the Saudi Arabian city.
A unique accommodation package will offer a room with a lavish Suhour buffet for only SAR 555, while the price of the Iftar and Suhour spreads at the Nafoora restaurant for outside guests is just SAR 130.
In addition, everyone will be eligible for entry in to daily raffles with surprises for all winners as well as the Ramadan Grand Prize that will be awarded after Eid.
Abdul Karim Al Atiq, general manager of the the property, said: 'We are preparing to offer the sounds, sights, tastes and smells of an authentic Arabian experience. Coral International Hotel Al Khobar has had the biggest Iftar buffet in Al Khobar for the last three years, and it is extremely popular with all nationalities.'
Raffles Dubai will offer an elegant Iftar at Azur, its all-day dining outlet, offering a regal array of traditional Arabian favourites, for a price of AED 175 all inclusive.
Azur overlooks the enchanting Raffles Botanical Garden, allowing guests to take advantage of the picturesque location while enjoying a meal with family and friends.
The Hilton Abu Dhabi is hosting its Sohour with a stunning family Ramadan tent, featuring traditional Oud performances for entertainment.
The a la carte menu includes an extensive selection of traditional dishes, sandwiches, dates, nuts, fresh juices and an extensive shisha menu.
The Ramadan tent is located in the gardens of the Beach Club at Hilton Abu Dhabi and will be open from 8pm to 2am during week days, and to 3am during weekends.
Traders Hotel, Dubai is embracing the holy month of Ramadan with Iftar promotional offers, both for accommodation and food.
Special room rates during Ramadan will see room packages including a choice of complimentary in-room Sohour or Iftar buffet at The Junction restaurant.
Junction is inviting diners to join family and friends for the daily buffet, which features a selection of Arabic cuisine – including home-made hot and cold mezze, grilled seafood, Arabic mixed grill, fricca with lamb and other delicacies - at AED 75 net per person.
Aloft Abu Dhabi invites guests to break their fast at the hotel's air-conditioned Ramadan Marquee, where they can enjoy a sumptuous range of Arabic delicacies inclusive of soft drinks and Ramadan juices from AED 135.
Wrap up the evening with a lavish Sohour menu, flavoured Shisha and classical Arabic background music.
At Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, three restaurants and the hotel's traditional dhow have geared up for the occasion and are each offering a unique Ramadan deal.
Boulvar Restaurant is serving a daily traditional Iftar buffet at sundown, featuring hot and cold mezzeh, ouzi, harees, shawarma, fatayer and much more.
Arabic and Continental desserts are also on offer – all for just AED 99 per person.
Meanwhile Iranian restaurant Shabestan is serving a special Persian and Arabic mezzeh buffet, with a choice of Arabic and Persian starters, assorted fresh juices and a selection of delicious main courses, like Sultani kebab, the ancient Persian King’s feast, and traditional Persian sweets. The price is AED 125 per person.
The hotel's award-winning Seafood restaurant, the Fish Market, is offering three menu options each day, starting from AED 75 per person.
Alternatively, guests can indulge in the Al Mansour Dhow's special five-star Iftar Ramadan cruise featuring a sumptuous international and Arabic buffet accompanied with free-flowing soft drinks, and live Oud music. Available only for private group Iftar bookings, prices range from AED 120 to 140 per person for a minimum of 30 persons.
Vista Bar and Lounge at Express by Holiday Inn – Knowledge Village is offering stunning buffet options for its Iftar guests, starting at AED 95.
Dishes include traditional hot and cold mezze, chicken tagine with preserved lemons and green olives, and Morrocan style lamb stews.
Buffet menus will be available to bookings of 20 or more only, although the outlet will happily design individual menus for smaller bookings and more intimate celebrations.
The Armani Hotel offers a taste of designer elegance this Ramadan, with an Iftar meal at its Mediterraneo outlet.
Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of The Dubai Fountain, while breaking their fast at the outlet’s delicious Iftar buffet serving cuisine from the Mediterranean region.
Prices run from AED 210 for adults and AED 110 for children, including soft beverages.
Meanwhile the Armani/Ballroom is available for corporate Iftars, with events exclusively organised for the company – accommodating either a traditional Iftar buffet or a set menu, with décor to suit the corporate style.
Prices range from AED 265 to 365, based on the order placed (minimum 50 persons).
Recognising the generosity and family spirit associated with Ramadan, Dusit Thani Dubai is adding unique flair to their annual Ramadan promotions, encouraging the whole family to come and enjoy Iftar.
The property will not only observe Ramadan, but also offer the best of Arabic, Italian and Royal Thai cuisine.
A sumptuous Iftar feast will be available across three restaurants in one setting on the hotel's 24th floor, connecting three outlets: PAX, The Californian and Benjarong.
This unique Iftar experience runs daily throughout Ramadan from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, costing AED 149 per person, inclusive of Ramadan juices and mineral water.
With its long flowing space and cluster of live stations, The Talk restaurant at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach will undoubtedly be popular this Ramadan.
Throughout the holy month, guests can break fast at sunset with a succulent spread at The Talk, prepared by executive chef Spencer Black and his team.
In addition to the usual crisp salads, freshly baked pizzas and Tandori oven treats, there are extra indulgences of the Arabic kind, such as lamb ouzi, Arabic marinated chicken, hot and cold mezzah and Arabic desserts.
After dinner unwind in the outdoor lounge and majlis area with a cup of Morroccean tea or Turkish coffee while puffing away on aromatic shisha.
Priced AED 165 per person including soft drinks, children aged 6-12 are half price and up to 6 years are free. Juices, teas, coffees and shisha are at an extra cost. Daily throughout Ramadan from sunset until 10pm.