With Ramadan around the corner, restaurants across the city are revealing their Iftar offerings. Whether transforming tradition through a third-culture lens at Jun’s or nostalgic Middle Eastern meals at Ninive, there are plenty of menus to sample this Ramadan. Here, MOJEH rounds-up the Iftar menus that should be on your radar.
Jun’s
Award-winning restaurant (and winner of residents’ hearts), Jun’s is harnessing its third-culture cooking into an Iftar menu of traditional favourites, with a twist. Available in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, the menu opens with the It’s A Date mocktail and corn miso dashi soup, before leading into a mezze sharing platter of reinvented classics. The family-style mains include chicken claypot machboos and Jamaican Chinese lamb neck, while vegetarians can indulge in eggplant parmesan and kung pao broccoli. Book now
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira
The beloved beachside Majlis by Mandarin Oriental returns this Ramadan, this time in collaboration with Emirati Poet Dr. Afra Atiq. An installation titled Through Her Words captures the essence of the Holy Month through poetry readings, calligraphy and immersive works. As for the food, dishes from Mandarin Oriental’s Michelin-recognised restaurants are available alongside an astounding selection of Middle Eastern fare that spills out onto the beachside terrace. Book now
Sumosan
Head to Sumosan at The Dubai EDITION this Ramadan to savour contemporary Japanese flavours courtesy of a delicious set menu. Beginning with dates and soup, the offering continues with a selection of starters – think: rock shrimp tempura, maki rolls and mixed baby leaf salad with sesame dressing – a choice of signature main and the limited-edition dessert of sticky date pudding with vanilla ice cream. Book now
Ninive
A must-visit destination throughout the month of Ramadan, Ninive is renowned for serving Middle Eastern and North African cuisine in a luxurious urban majlis inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Feast on traditional dishes from throughout the region for both Iftar and suhoor, while socialising with loved ones (read: playing backgammon) into the early hours. Book now
Beefbar
Not your run-of-the-mill steakhouse, Beefbar is renowned from Monaco to Dubai for its innovative menu of international flavours. Break your fast overlooking the Turtle Lagoon at Jumeirah Al Naseem with a dedicated Iftar menu; the four-course menu comprises dates and dried fruits to start followed by soup of the day and sharing-style starters, main courses and desserts alongside a limited-edition Ramadan cocktail. First timer? Worry not, the Iftar menu boasts Beefbar’s iconic mains, including ginger sea bass, lemon chicken robata and the signature steak frites. Book now
The Lana, Dorchester Collection
The city was buzzing when news broke of the Dorchester Collection’s first property in the Middle East and Ramadan offers the perfect opportunity to step inside the brand-new hotel. The Lana has transformed its luxurious ballroom into a sprawling dining destination complete with Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian and Italian fare as well as live cooking stations and dishes from The Lana’s signature restaurants Riviera by Jean Imbert and Jara by Martín Berasategui. Book now
COYA Dubai
Though Peruvian cuisine has swept the region of late, ask any Dubai resident who did it first and they will happily declare COYA Dubai. A four-course menu of Peruvian-fusion favourites are available throughout Ramadan, including the famous guacamole and a selection of starters – the baby artichoke with miso and Chilean sea bass croquettes are firm favourites – as well as one main and a playful Peruvian take on the date cake for dessert. Book now
The Guild
The Guild, the DIFC venture by Tom & Serg’s Tom Arnel, has taken downtown dwellers by storm thanks to its multi-concept dining experience. For Ramadan, the restaurant presents a 3-course menu (enjoyed either in The Salon or The Rockpool) which marries the flavours of the Middle East with European cooking techniques. The Guild elevates comfort food for its first-ever Iftar offering with dishes including spiced lamb shoulder with aubergine puree and a hearty seafood risotto. Pro tip: don’t miss the date toffee tiramisu. Book now
Netsu
Searching for dinner and a show? Netsu’s Japanese Iftar menu is cooked on Dubai’s only Warayaki grill and served in the restaurant’s Theatre of Fire (it can also be enjoyed alfresco on the expansive terrace if you would rather dine under the stars). Comprising crispy rice crackers, maki rolls, wagyu beef tri-tip MB4-5 and peanut-butter parfait to finish, this Iftar offering lives up to the restaurant’s icon status. Book now
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- Words by Savanna Smith
