Ramadan is the ideal time of year to take a step back from daily life, switch off from the hustle and bustle and enjoy precious moments with family while exploring the flavours of the Holy Month at delicious and diverse iftar buffets or laidback suhoors.

Hearty food is an important part of the Ramadan experience, with a wide variety of Middle Eastern and international cuisines traditionally enjoyed at sunset or in the early hours of the morning before the daily fast begins. Add to that a mini break, and you have the perfect opportunity for fasting and non-fasting residents and visitors alike to find complete relaxation during the Holy Month.

This year, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has curated a great selection of hotel offers and F&B choices and highlighted some of these below.

RAMADAN GASTRO OFFERS

Diners can choose from 75 Must Try and Luxury iftars as well as great Ramadan dining experiences across a diverse range of cuisine types and price points with the Ramadan in Dubai Iftar collections in association with Zomato. Suggestions including a variety of budget-friendly, luxurious and family meals at restaurants, cafes and hotels across the city. Venues include casual Indian spot Moombai& Co, Emirati restaurant Al Mashowa, Arabic favourite Al Bait Al ShamiRestaurant & Cafe plus international eateries Chicago Meatpackers, Eataly at Dubai Festival City and homegrown venues such as BOCA in DIFC, plus many more. Suggestions also extend to unique food experiences including an iftar in the Hajar Mountains at JA Hatta Fort Hotel and an authentic bedouin barbecue at JA The Resort. Diners looking for luxurious dishes can enjoy special iftars at Latin American restaurant Coya at the Four Seasons hotel, an Indian fusion iftar at Masti at La Mer, Portuguese food at Tasca by Jose Avillez at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah hotel, Chinese delicacies at Hutong in DIFC or Turkish cuisine at Baba at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi hotel, to name just a few.

KIDS EAT FOR FREE

The Crowne Plaza Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road will offer the best iftar foods including Emirati, Mediterranean, south-east Asian and international dishes in addition to classic sweets. Iftar will be priced at AED169 per person, with 50 per cent off for children under 12. Children under 6 eat for free. For a non-traditional iftar, families can try Sugar Factory where kids aged up to 10 can eat for free with every paying adult.

The Edge Creekside Hotel will serve a traditional iftar in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Diners can enjoy a buffet meal under the stars at the FETA Terrace from sunset until midnight during weekdays and sunset until 1am on weekends. Iftar will be priced at AED95 per person, AED45 for children aged 6 to 12 years and free for children under 6.

FOODSTAYCATION DEALS

The iconic Palazzo Versace Dubai will invite families and couples to experience a great Ramadan staycation, with rooms priced from AED900 per night. Guests can enjoy a range of culinary experiences, with 20 per cent savings on F&B during their stay. Giardino restaurant will present a wide selection of traditional Middle Eastern and international dishes at iftar, with live cooking stations offering kebabs and grilled meats alongside salads, fresh juice stations and tempting desserts. A family-style iftar will be served at the Enigma restaurant, with guests invited to indulge in a tempting set menu featuring ‘sabzi khordan’ and homemade cheese, roasted bread, cold and warm starters, soup and handcrafted desserts. Iftars at Giardino and Enigma will be served from sunset until 8.30pm and are each priced at AED230 per person, inclusive of water and Ramadan juices.  Each night of Ramadan, an à la carte suhoor under the stars will be served at the Gazebo and Mosaico terraces from 8.30pm to 2am and 9.30pm to 2am respectively.

During the Holy Month, families and couples staying at the Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel can enjoy a relaxed staycation starting from AED1,990 for two people with complimentary iftar at the hotel’s Great British Restaurant or Khyber restaurants. Suhoor will be served in-room, free of charge.

Visitors and residents can spend Ramadan in the buzzing heart of the city with great deals on stays at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Finance Centre. The hotel’s Ramadan package includes a complimentary upgrade to a Premier Room, iftar for two in the award-winning Bull & Bear restaurant plus early check-in and late check-out. Prices start at AED950 per night.

The retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel hotel will offer a great luxury escape this Ramadan. Guests can choose between a one-night or two-night stay for two people, inclusive of healthy iftar at Vibe restaurant and a four-course suhoor served in the room. Rates start at AED699 for one night and AED1,299 for two nights.

An oasis of calm just a short drive from the city, the Melia Desert Palm resort will be a great pick for a Ramadan mini break. The hotel will offer a one-bed pool villa for AED2,000 per night including suhoor for two people, while a two-bed pool villa will be available for AED2,300, including suhoor for four people.

The Amwaj Rotana in JBR will invite guests to enjoy authentic Ramadan hospitality with a special room rate of AED799, including iftar and suhoor, while the Conrad Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road will welcome residents and visitors with a special promotion for the Holy Month, including rooms from AED599, family iftar at Ballarò restaurant and an in-room suhoor.

The H Hotel will offer guests a free suhoor and 50 per cent off iftar and spa treatments during their stay. Room rates start from AED299, with the offer only valid on website bookings.

FAMILY GETAWAYS

This Ramadan, families and couples can enjoy comfort and luxury in one of Taj Dubai’s spacious and elegant rooms, complete with iftar at Bombay Brasserie restaurant and an in-room suhoor. A Luxury Room City View is priced at AED649 for single occupancy and AED899 for two people. A Family Room City View, suitable for two adults and two children under 12, will cost AED999. A Junior Suite City View, suitable for two adults and two children under 12, will cost AED1,299.

The Grand Hyatt Dubai will be the perfect choice for a family staycation during Ramadan, with a host of great deals on offer. For AED600, guests can enjoy a Grand Club room, free breakfast and iftar buffet, 25 per cent off selected F&B and spa treatments plus a complimentary room upgrade and late check-out where available. Families with three or more children will also benefit from 50 per cent off a connecting room.

COOKING EXPERIENCES

Raffles Dubai, the iconic pyramid-shaped hotel in Oud Metha, will host guests for a great Ramadan staycation with deals starting at AED1,630 for two people per night inclusive of breakfast or suhoor in the room. Iftar will be served at the hotel’s Azur restaurant on the day of check-in, while guests can also enjoy an authentic Arabic cooking experience.

Guests checking into the Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights during Ramadan can enjoy a two-night stay in a Regency Room for AED399, with a free upgrade to a Deluxe Room, complimentary set menu iftar and suhoor, a private cooking class to make Middle Eastern snacks and 25 per cent of F&B.

The Occidental Dubai Production City hotel will be a home from home during the Holy Month with super deals on staycations. Throughout Ramadan, the hotel will offer a two-night stay for two people for AED750. It includes complimentary breakfast or suhoor, an iftar meal plus a cooking class. Guests can also enjoy 25 per cent off F&B during their stay.

All venues follow the important health and safety rules including social distancing and masks worn at all times.