We tried five iftar offerings at hotels in Dubai. Here’s the verdict  

Al Hadheerah, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa

Now here’s a five-star version of a desert safari dinner with a Ramadan twist. Throughout the holy month and summer, Al Hadheerah has taken its gastronomic spread one step further. The outdoor restaurant has set up a beautiful tent where you can enjoy iftar with friends or family without breaking a sweat. There’s plenty to discover in its quaint outdoor Arabic food market set up. al hadheerah We recommend the mixed meat grills. If you’re feeling adventurous, hunt for the big chafing dish near the bonfire where they’ve kept the roasted camel. It’s surprisingly delicious. Then head inside the tent, sit back, relax and enjoy the live entertainment—including a real-life role play of the history of UAE settlers. Details: Dh250, including juices, soft drinks and Arabic coffee from Sunday to Wednesday and Dh270 per person from Thursday to Saturday. Children 4 years old and below enjoy complimentary iftar. Telephone: 04 8096194

Melia Dubai

Melia Dubai’s iftar spread this year combines traditional Arabic fare with specials from its signature food and beverage outlets: international and continental cuisine from Azalya, Middle Eastern and Asian fare from Estrellas, and 5-star modern Indian dishes from Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor. The iftar buffet, however, is not available daily (apparently only when they have 50 confirmed guest bookings), so you need to call the hotel before dropping by. azalya at melia dubai Otherwise, you can enjoy the set iftar menu at any of the signature restaurants. The masterchefs have prepared five types of dishes so you can break your fast with style. We liked the spread and the busy ambiance at Azalya. Details: Dh149 set menu. Call 04 3868111

The Meydan Hotel in Dubai

The outdoor seating area at this five-star hotel has been turned into a lovely dining area under an elegant, white Ramadan tent where there is a live oud performance. ramadan tent at meydan The Arabic-international iftar spread offers a wide choice of cusines—from Emirati to European. We also loved the not-so-usual food in the mix, including the delicious Asian cuisine, including dimsum from the Chinese live cooking station—and an array of sashimi, nigiri and maki from the sushi counter. Clearly, a buffet for everyone. Details: Dh190, including juices, soft drinks and water from sunset to 8:45 p.m. Children 4 years old and below enjoy complimentary iftar. Call 04 3813111

M Hotel Downtown by Millennium

The iftar spread at this year’s Lemon Pepper at M Hotel Downtown by Millennium is slightly smaller, without the live grill station that was a set-up that we liked last year. lemon pepper But it does have the usual Arabic favourites including the lamb ouzi, cold and hot mezze and desserts like umm ali and cakes. The price includes Ramadan drinks and water. Coffee and other special drinks will be charged separately. Details: Dh120 throughout Ramadan, from sunset until 10:30 p.m. Book for 10 people and get 1 free iftar. Telephone: 055 108 9934

Ramadan Sawa, Constellation Ballroom, The Address Dubai Marina

When you come in for iftar at The Address Dubai Marina, you might find it difficult to come out again. The grand iftar spread at the hotel’s Constellation Ballroom is huge, lavish, diverse and extensive and features a blend of Arabic and Oriental specialties, including a large selection of mezzeh. There’s also a big spread of continental cuisine with live cooking stations and a selection of international and traditional pastries. Ramadan Sawa, Constellation Ballroom, The Address Dubai Marina Chefs have also prepared authentic Emirati dishes like the Lafayef khoboz falazi, Robyan mashwi, Tekat deyay and a range of traditional Emirati desserts such as Leqaimat, which will rekindle the memories of childhood. A live oud player will add to the authenticity. Details: Dh220 from sunset until 9 p.m. Telephone: 04 436 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