The best iftar experiences to book in UAE this Ramadan

From open-air Bedouin camps and creek-side gardens to floating suppers and desert conservation reserves, this Ramadan’s iftar experiences span an impressive range of settings and cuisines across the UAE. Hotels and restaurants in Dubai, Abu Dhabi have announced their programmes for the holy month, with prices starting from AED 200 per person and menus ranging from traditional Arabic buffets to Persian sharing feasts and North African tajines. Here are the best outdoor iftars worth knowing about.

Park Hyatt Dubai

Among Dubai’s most established iftar experiences, the Park Hyatt’s Palm Garden returns with an outdoor setting styled in warm terracotta and beige tones inspired by an Arabian majlis. A live oud player accompanies the evening, while the buffet features live stations for shawarma, falafel, saaj and a dedicated grill alongside mains including lamb ouzi and frikkeh chicken. The Golden package is priced at AED 335 per person, with a Platinum upgrade at AED 400 adding lobster and caviar served at the table. Iftar runs nightly from sunset until 9pm.

Quick Summary:

📍 Location: Dubai Creek
🍽 Cuisine type: International and Middle Eastern buffet with live stations
💸 Price range: AED 335 (Golden) / AED 400 (Platinum) per person
⏰ Timings: Sunset to 9pm, nightly
🎶 Entertainment: Live oud player
✨ Ideal for: Families and groups

parkhyatt.com, @parkhyattdubai

Palazzo Versace Dubai

The Hikayat Ramadan Garden returns to Palazzo Versace Dubai’s grounds, set amongst palm trees overlooking Dubai Creek. Iftar is served from sunset until 8:30pm as a buffet with traditional Ramadan juices (AED 295 per person), while Suhoor runs from 9pm to 3am with an à la carte menu and a minimum spend of AED 200. Entertainment includes an oud player, tanura and Turkish Sufi dance from 10pm. Additional iftar options are available at Giardino (AED 275 buffet) and Enigma, which serves a Persian-inspired family-style sharing menu at AED 275.

Quick Summary:

📍 Location: Jaddaf Waterfront, Dubai
🍽 Cuisine type: Middle Eastern and international (buffet); Persian (Enigma set menu)
💸 Price range: From AED 275 per person
⏰ Timings: iftar – sunset to 8:30pm / suhoor – 9pm to 3am
🎶 Entertainment: Oud player, tanura and Turkish Sufi dance
✨ Ideal for: Groups and late-night gatherings

palazzoversace.ae, @palazzoversacedubai

Nara Desert Escape

Nara’s Ramadan programme, titled One, By Nature, brings one of the more distinctive iftar experiences to the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Guests arrive at sunset for camel rides, falcon displays and live oud before gathering for a sharing-style menu of red lentil soup, chicken biryani and slow-braised beef and prune tajine, finished with kunafa and umm ali. Pricing starts from AED 490 per adult and AED 210 for children, with iftar served from 5:30pm to 9pm. On the water, Lady Nara offers a separate iftar cruise departing Festival City at 5:45pm (from AED 390 per adult).

Quick Summary:

📍 Location: Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve / Festival City (Lady Nara)
🍽 Cuisine type: North African and Middle Eastern sharing menu
💸 Price range: From AED 490 per adult (desert) / AED 390 per adult (cruise)
⏰ Timings: 5:30pm to 9pm (desert) / 5:45pm departure (cruise)
🐪 Activities: Camel rides, falcon displays, henna, live oud
✨ Ideal for: Couples and families

nara.ae, @naraescape, @ladynaradubai

Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort

At Al Mabeet Desert Camp, a Bedouin-inspired iftar unfolds against Abu Dhabi’s rolling dunes with lantern light, woven textures and a softly glowing bonfire. The menu covers traditional Arabic and international flavours through live stations for salads, soups and mezze, followed by shared main courses. A live qanoon player performs throughout the evening, which runs from sunset until 10pm. The experience is priced at AED 280 per person and AED 140 for children aged six to 12, making it one of the more accessibly priced iftar experiences on this list.

Quick Summary:

📍 Location: Al Wathba desert, Abu Dhabi
🍽 Cuisine type: Arabic and international buffet with live stations
💸 Price range: AED 280 per adult / AED 140 per child (6–12)
⏰ Timings: Sunset to 10pm, nightly throughout Ramadan
🎶 Entertainment: Live qanoon player, bonfire
✨ Ideal for: Families with children

marriott.com, @alwathbahotel

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

For those willing to travel further afield, Qasr Al Sarab’s iftar experiences take place 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi in the Liwa Desert. Nightly iftar at Al Falaj runs from 18 February, priced at AED 485 per person, with a menu of traditional flavours. Suhoor is available via in-room or in-villa dining, with a light option at AED 215 or bountiful at AED 365. An Eid Al Fitr programme runs from 20 to 24 March with dining at AED 495 per person, alongside cultural experiences at the resort’s Ezba heritage centre. Anantara Spa also hosts a complimentary guided meditation and sound healing session on 18 February, with 20% off additional wellness activities for Royal Hammam bookings throughout Ramadan.

A taste of what’s new in Dubai’s restaurant scene

Quick Summary:

📍 Location: Liwa Desert, Abu Dhabi (90 minutes from the city)
🍽 Cuisine type: Traditional Arabic
💸 Price range: AED 485 per person (iftar) / AED 215–365 (suhoor)
⏰ Timings: Nightly from 18 February; Eid dining 20–24 March
💆‍♀️ Wellness: Spa meditation session, Royal Hammam offers
✨ Ideal for: Extended desert stays and Eid celebrations

anantara.com, @anantaraqasralsarab

Madinat Jumeirah

Madinat Jumeirah offers two iftar experiences this Ramadan. Al Majlis, within Madinat Arena, hosts a buffet at AED 350 per adult with suhoor from AED 300 minimum spend per person. For outdoor dining, Al Majlis Garden on Fort Island provides a more relaxed setting surrounded by the resort’s waterways and palm-lined views, with iftar at AED 290 per adult and suhoor at AED 250. Children aged five to 11 dine at half price at both venues, and under-fours are complimentary.

Quick Summary:

📍 Location: Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
🍽 Venues: Al Majlis (indoor) and Al Majlis Garden (outdoor, Fort Island)
💸 Price range: AED 290–350 per adult (iftar) / AED 250–300 (suhoor)
👶 Family policy: Ages 5–11 at half price; under 4 complimentary
✨ Ideal for: Families and large group bookings

jumeirah.com, @madinatjumeirah

Layali Ellington at One Central

A collaboration between Ellington Properties and 7 Management, this Ramadan tent overlooks the Museum of the Future and sits adjacent to 25 Jump Street. Designed as a contemporary interpretation of traditional majlis culture, the space hosts suhoor gatherings nightly from 8:30pm with a set menu and one drink priced at AED 200 per person (minimum four guests). Soft live music accompanies the evening, and shisha is available at AED 99. An iftar option is available for group bookings of 100 or more.