Vote for song
Merge 104.8 | 05 February 2026
Ramadan evenings in Dubai are shaped around togetherness. Families gather just before sunset, tables fill with familiar dishes, and time is allowed to pass slowly. For many, these moments are as much about who they are shared with as where they take place.
For visitors from across the region, this rhythm feels instinctively familiar. Dubai’s most established iftars are not designed to surprise, but to support the way Ramadan is lived: shared meals, multi-generational tables and settings that allow families to remain together well beyond the first plate.
This guide brings together a selection of iftars that reflect that approach. From long-standing majlis gatherings to desert evenings and calm outdoor settings, these are places chosen not for novelty, but for the way they allow Ramadan nights to unfold naturally.
Majlis at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
For many families in Dubai, the Majlis at Dubai World Trade Centre is a tradition, the kind where parents once brought children, and those children now return with families of their own.
One of the city’s longest-running Ramadan gatherings, the setting balances formality with comfort: dining tables arranged beneath a central chandelier, softened by lounge seating that invites families to settle in. It works particularly well for large, multi-generational groups, where everyone, from grandparents to young children, can find their place.
The expansive buffet focuses on traditional Ramadan favourites, including lamb kabsa, harees and slow-cooked thareed, alongside salads, soups and warm pastries. International options, from sushi and pasta to Indian-inspired dishes are available, though it is the Emirati specialities and the signature date toffee pudding that remain the highlights.
Iftar: 6:00pm–8:30pm
Price: AED 235 per adult; AED 115 per child (over five); children under five dine complimentary
Al Hadheerah at Bab Al Shams
An evening at Al Hadheerah begins before the table. The drive into the desert, the quiet between dunes, and the shift in pace all set the tone for an iftar that feels grounded in its surroundings.
Lantern-lit pathways lead through an open-air setting inspired by traditional desert gatherings, with cooking stations spread across the space. Guests move between hot mezze, grilled meats, Arabic cheeses and shawarmas, while the lamb ouzi, cooked underground using time-honoured techniques, remains the centrepiece.
Desserts centre around date-based sweets, while gentle cultural performances, including Arabic music and heritage displays, accompany the evening, alongside a vibrant souq-style experience.
It is one of Dubai’s most atmospheric iftars, particularly suited to families looking to introduce younger generations to regional tradition.
Iftar: Sunset–9:00pm
Price: AED 449 per adult; AED 275 per child (aged 4–11)
Asateer Tent at Atlantis, The Palm
Asateer is designed with extended families in mind. The majlis-style tent accommodates large groups comfortably, with Royal, VIP and private seating options that allow families to remain together without interruption.
Inside, soft lighting, silk draping and lanterns create a warm atmosphere that encourages guests to stay seated long after the initial meal. The menu reflects the breadth of regional cooking, from lamb ouzi and Jordanian mansaf to Khaleeji, Persian and Turkish dishes, complemented by a live Arabic sweet-making station.
Menus shift subtly throughout the month, giving returning families something new to look forward to, while selected evenings extend into suhoor. It is a setting shaped around time, not just eating, but staying.
Iftar: Sunset–8:00pm
Price: AED 295 (Monday–Thursday); AED 325 (Friday–Sunday)
Al Majlis at Madinat Jumeirah
Set beside calm waterways, Al Majlis at Madinat Jumeirah offers a quieter approach to Ramadan evenings. Whether seated indoors or in the garden, the mood is measured, making it particularly appealing for families who value conversation and privacy.
Private majlis seating and spacious sofa arrangements allow groups to settle in comfortably. The spread balances Middle Eastern staples with a restrained selection of international dishes, keeping the focus on familiarity rather than excess.
As the evening progresses, the pace remains unhurried, plates are revisited, coffee is poured more than once, and conversations tend to stretch beyond the meal itself.
Iftar: Sunset–8:30pm
Price: AED 350 per person (indoor); AED 290 per person (Al Majlis Garden). Children under four dine complimentary
Ramadan Nights at Armani Hotel Dubai
Against the backdrop of The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa, Ramadan Nights at Armani/Pavilion favour subtlety over spectacle. Soft lighting, oud melodies and a composed outdoor setting frame an experience designed for calm and reflection.
Dishes are drawn from across the hotel’s restaurants, offering a restrained interpretation of Ramadan classics alongside Italian, Indian and Japanese influences. The experience suits smaller family groups or those looking to mark the evening quietly, without distraction.
Iftar: Sunset–9:00pm
Price: AED 410 per person
Palazzo Versace Dubai
At Palazzo Versace Dubai, Ramadan is approached through shared tables and slow pacing. At Enigma, the Persian family-style set menu encourages plates to be passed and meals to unfold gradually, echoing the communal nature of iftar.
Giardino offers a broader selection of Middle Eastern and international dishes, while the Hikayat Ramadan Garden provides an outdoor setting overlooking Dubai Creek. Evenings here tend to continue naturally, with families remaining seated long after the last course.
Iftar: After sunset–8:30pm
Price: AED 275 per person
Across Dubai, these iftars are less about discovery and more about return. They are chosen because they allow families to gather without effort, follow familiar rhythms, and mark Ramadan in ways that feel comfortable and complete. Long after the plates are cleared, it is often the extended time at the table, the conversations, the repetition, the ease, that stays with people most.
