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Iftar in Dubai: What to Eat and Where to Go
A guide to iftar in Dubai during Ramadan: the traditions of breaking the fast, dishes to try, types of iftar from tents to home-style, etiquette and booking.
Key takeaways
- Iftar breaks the fast at sunset, traditionally with dates and water, followed by a meal.
- Options range from lavish hotel tents to simple neighbourhood meals and community iftars.
- Book popular venues early, arrive before sunset and dress modestly.
On this page
During Ramadan, Dubai’s evenings revolve around iftar, the meal that breaks the day’s fast at sunset. It’s one of the most welcoming food experiences of the year, and visitors are warmly invited to share it.
The traditions
The fast is traditionally broken with dates and water or laban (a yoghurt drink), followed by prayer and then a larger meal. Later at night, some people gather for suhoor, the pre-dawn meal.
Dishes to look for
- Harees: slow-cooked wheat and meat
- Thareed: bread soaked in meat and vegetable stew
- Machboos: spiced rice with chicken, lamb or fish
- Lentil soup: a common starter
- Samosas and sambousek
- Luqaimat: crispy dumplings with date syrup
- Vimto and Jallab: popular Ramadan drinks
Our Emirati dishes guide explains each in more detail.
Types of iftar
| Type | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Hotel Ramadan tents | Large buffets, live cooking, traditional décor |
| Restaurant set menus | Fixed-price menus of traditional and international dishes |
| Home-style and heritage venues | Emirati cooking in traditional settings |
| Cultural centres | Iftar with explanations of customs and Q&A |
| Community iftars | Free meals shared at mosques and community tents |
Etiquette
- Arrive before sunset so everyone can break the fast together.
- Dress modestly; see our sister site’s guide to what to wear in Dubai.
- Wait for the call to prayer before eating if you’re dining with people who are fasting.
- Be patient: roads and restaurants are busy just before sunset.
Tips
- Book popular venues early, especially in the first and last weeks of Ramadan.
- Look for set menus with good value compared with à la carte.
- Try suhoor gatherings for a relaxed, late-night atmosphere.
- Budget options abound in older neighbourhoods; see cheap eats in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims attend iftar?
Yes. Visitors of all backgrounds are welcome at iftars, and many venues offer them.
What time is iftar?
At sunset, which changes daily. Check the local prayer timetable.
What is the difference between iftar and suhoor?
Iftar breaks the fast at sunset; suhoor is the meal eaten before dawn, before fasting begins.
Sources
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