Savor the Best Iftars During Ramadan in the Middle East and Africa

Iftar, the fast-breaking evening meal during Ramadan, is a beautiful occasion — and it’s one that everyone is welcome to enjoy, whether or not you’re breaking your dawn-till-dusk fast. Here are some of the top places in Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the UAE that promise to make Iftar a really special meal.

As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.

Qatar

Qatar, for its hospitality, is a magnificent destination for an Iftar meal, as you will discover many traditional dishes. There is madrouba, a spiced, replenishing Qatari porridge featuring rice, milk, butter and an array of fragrant spices, often cooked with chicken. You also have majboos (also known as machboos), a rice-based Qatari dish served with chicken, meat or prawns, featuring a heady blend of aromatic spices that produce a smoky flavor. 

To stimulate your senses for Iftar this year, embark on a culinary journey across India’s fascinating flavors and aromatic spices. Jamavar Doha captures the essence of Indian cuisine from the royal kitchens of the north to succulent selections from the coastlines of the south.

If it’s Moroccan cuisine that’s calling to you as the sun sets, then Caza at Le Méridien City Center, Doha should be your first port of call. Expect superb Moroccan tagines prepared with a modern twist.

Nar Restaurant at The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl Qatar promises Turkish delights for Iftar. With a laidback setting, Nar takes you on an exhilarating culinary journey through Turkish cuisine’s myriad of flavors and techniques.

For a breathtaking experience of Persian delights, head over to Parisa Souq Waqif restaurant. The elegant, hand-painted artworks, elaborate mosaics, exquisite chandeliers, and thousands of delicate mirrors selected from Iran provide a unique Persian dining experience.

Egypt

Egypt is a special place to observe Ramadan. Egyptians usually break their fast by drinking tamr and subia, the traditional Ramadan drinks. Some foods they traditionally enjoy range from stuffed ducks and pigeons to samosas and molokhia, made of a nutritious leafy green vegetable.

One of the best spots to break your fast in Cairo is Shahrazad Tent at Le Méridien Cairo Airport, which is renowned for its magical Ramadan nights featuring bountiful buffets in a tent setting. You’re guaranteed to enjoy the finest Egyptian cuisine imaginable.

While the hotel has many dining options, Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino offers a variety of food for Iftar. You will be spoiled for choice with the combination of international restaurants, such as the lavish Saraya Gallery or the intimate setting of Ristorante Tuscany.

Meanwhile, ZAD Tent at Sheraton Cairo Hotel & Casino also invites you to dine under canvas. ZAD Tent is only open during Ramadan, so you just know the food and atmosphere are going to be very special.

Morocco

Morocco has a few interesting — and delicious — traditions when it comes to breaking fast for Iftar. You’ll almost certainly see harira on an Iftar table in Morocco. This iconic soup made with lentils and chickpeas is garnished with fresh herbs and warm spices. Then there are tagines and couscous, of course, alongside a delectable mix of sweet and savory foods, breads, pastries, fruits and freshly squeezed juices.

Morocco has some remarkable places for Iftar. Dine at Le Grill Robuchon, a contemporary grill in the heart of Rabat, which serves refined yet outstanding cuisine with the finest meats, fish and seasonal vegetables to leave you delighted after your meal.

Alternatively, try BaB restaurant, an all-day dining venue that serves international and Moroccan cuisine and provides visitors with unforgettable culinary experience, at the Casablanca Marriott Hotel.

The Jnan L’Fassi at Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace offers a real gourmet experience, with mouthwatering tagines, royal pastilla, couscous and spicy Moroccan kebabs — a truly exceptional Iftar.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has some mouthwatering dishes that make Iftar a true delight. When breaking fast, the Saudis like to eat a few traditional dishes, such as jalamah (a popular lamb dish cooked with a blend of herbs and spices) and saleeg (a white-rice dish cooked in broth and milk). You might also enjoy tharid, which sees stewed lamb and vegetables served over thin regag bread.

All of Saudi Arabia’s Marriott hotels have venues ideal for breaking your fast for Iftar. In Riyadh, the JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh even has a tent in its ballroom, which makes for an especially atmospheric and memorable dining experience.

United Arab Emirates

In the UAE, Ramadan is influenced by many cultures, with typical Iftar spreads featuring everything from pasta to biryani, Lebanese fattoush salad and much more. The region’s most traditional Iftar food is harees, a dish of wheat cooked in slightly salted water for several hours, with meat, often chicken or lamb, added for flavor. This slow cooking over a fire is what gives harees its delicious depth.

Located at Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa in Dubai, Al Khaima is a stunning Middle Eastern nightspot overlooking the beach and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Break your fast by tucking into mezze, freshly grilled seafood and superb mixed grills. The atmosphere is serene, with the glittering lights of Dubai Marina as the backdrop to your Iftar meal.

Capturing the romance of Arabia, with its Bedouin-inspired dining tents scattered beneath shimmering desert skies, Amaseena offers a unique setting for a night of Middle Eastern magic at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai. For Iftar, enjoy everything from traditional dishes to vegan options.

With its contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine and beautiful views over the marina, Bushra by Buddha-Bar at Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai offers another charming setting. Allow yourself to relax into the elegant, peaceful atmosphere offered at Bushra by Buddha-Bar.

At The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Mina’s Kitchen prepares a variety of world cuisines — with a lavish buffet of the highest quality laid out specially for Iftar.

Enjoying a grand setting in the luxury playground that is Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, Garage at W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island curates sumptuous Iftar buffets with flavors from all around the world on show.