Weeks before Ramadan commenced, I received a couple of invitations for Iftar preview. I won't lie, Iftar is the Ramadan tradition I always look forward to. I am not a Muslim, however, I immensely adore the essence of the holy month, most especially the concept of bringing the family closer by sharing a meal after a day of fasting.
I accepted three invitations. And in line with the true meaning of the season, I took it as an opportunity to personally meet and share a meal with my online family aka my blog readers.
Here are the iftars I have tried in Dubai and the lovely people I shared them with:
Grand Iftar at The Address Dubai Marina
The grandest iftar I have experienced to date is at The Address Dubai Marina. Set at the lavish Constellation Ballroom of the hotel, the atmosphere is regal yet traditional. It is suitable for corporate events and special family get-togethers.
The sprawling iftar buffet features a variety of Arabic and International cuisine. Each food station is well-organized and beautifully presented. My top picks are the laksa soup from the Asian section, roast beef from the international selections, and Turkish delights from the dessert table.
Timings: Sunset until 9.00pm
Price: Adult (12 years and above): AED 220 per person || Children (6 – 12 years): AED 110 per person || Children (5 years and below): Complimentary
![Iftar at The Address Dubai Marina Iftar at The Address Dubai Marina](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEQMY1RcqhdrQv2APQRXW_JIgGOAQTgA1YNn-hcbS9V4D1RfBLXjf-s7rBxr-gMb-hLchmugtoXd8A-7hSPyK1pNz6I2baO0j4VYFhvNdGeueNtgy6ZdvAHuKpaaAYBs6D2cB8TcJa3M/s640/Address+Marina+Iftar+2018+%25285+of+56%2529.jpg) |
Iftar at The Address Dubai Marina |
![Iftar Buffet at the Constellation Ballroom Iftar Buffet at the Constellation Ballroom](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSff4-NVPsa24hdW4nRihj6Wa1S-rDLbYKZ2radbp7IiNmQh47PXuVcFnD37VFP6W14lFqU744udl4_EBRrtJvrQ1g_WZRd9wqH7J0X1H69iZWQ8iXN44EX8bdV4ATaTC8vizOiHC9VI/s1600/Address+Marina+Iftar+2018+%252845+of+56%2529.jpg) |
Iftar Buffet at the Constellation Ballroom |
![Dates at Address Marina Dubai Iftar Dates at Address Marina Dubai Iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjklCjbAqEN7t4N1gn5YU2HYnvceoFVLMggMJM9UxLddjuGOnlaqFVgTfhxX3ZBUg3qdRPbyt14uIePZ9PLNSoTJsYrkjsavU9Xs_nch6QxGmqlh0-0zUCqyWso6ji8XnMP3EZ5hD11hc/s640/Address+Marina+Iftar+2018+%252854+of+56%2529.jpg) |
Dates and Dried Fruits |
![salad at Address Marina Dubai Iftar salad at Address Marina Dubai Iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPWFvqwIRXdNhy49zORQ0qyuNJxWzN5blWgxjZjvAGQHqnfLj6cgEt8lKrKDmDAoMfr9b0r30eaPe4fDAc22U82icg84Iu13JTUpOJIUvBTWE7VcKQCA2ha7t9amUbuPSgxfRdQaprcY/s640/Address+Marina+Iftar+2018+%252848+of+56%2529.jpg) |
Salad Station |
![sushi at Address Marina Dubai Iftar sushi at Address Marina Dubai Iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVTPv7venwADu-5kFQVb6p1IS06LI3asXM_m7l6FHdJwyD1CFVJmx0-Ie2PBkyoS-Vdwl8-nD6QPuZ6b4cvolIHRkv-iOgcpeh9WiAahw3g-eDeC-yhn1_YwJxm9NPyp092Jid2Vvzpw/s640/Address+Marina+Iftar+2018+%252815+of+56%2529.jpg) |
Japanese rolls at the Asian Station |
![elegant ambiance at Address Marina Dubai Iftar elegant ambiance at Address Marina Dubai Iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbs9bicw70n6rqH8cj6_cZmSsIE2hpNyPg5FbPgPJhupZ0GQMbLvsyOvdFsa6LMCuMlZC7UxAZ1gvXgvuk7kS8h-PUWJP4NhLcsJ8cn_BMsrJva0awX_Gz_H_B9KkxKuFvfpLXZBbmrs/s640/Address+Marina+Iftar+2018+%252846+of+56%2529.jpg) |
Such an elegant setting for Iftar! |
![live music at Address Marina Dubai Iftar live music at Address Marina Dubai Iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHbt6zOQTHNlU4Vate-8Jok8svjMvS7shqL3s7_XuVMakq5iKwm0FdcWP9vU-P1fI6ztu9z9UM6VccYci3-tsLdgz7IxWW02o4PDWWrvlwu-z4LxHaQ1fULsNiwizrhyphenhyphenL7g64HSax6MU/s640/Address+Marina+Iftar+2018+Lightroom.jpg) |
Live music serenades the guests at the ballroom. |
![Lady at Address Marina Dubai Iftar Lady at Address Marina Dubai Iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZup2l1DvLaRovAtsf-1f3-OSZGFIWAvQG8WuMjnIufdRMfQLrlJhr2RGd9sPN1mJsiwrA3l2HeiWrkQQ0DuECTk10C_-VKeAJSZALjLQ9PBcc7diY3EzzyBRkU4BpBqMjh-gltb2YzHk/s640/Address+Marina+Iftar+2018+Lightroom1.jpg) |
So happy to share this experience with Sophie! |
Enchanting Iftar at The Palace Downtown
The Palace Downtown has always been a magical venue for me. Starting from the magnificent driveway lined with palm trees and backdropped by Burj Khalifa to the sophisticated interiors and unparallel Dubai Fountain views, this 5-star hotel never fails to impress. And as per usual, I was left in awe when I went there for Iftar in Ewaan.
The iftar buffet at Ewaan has generous options of authentic Arabic dishes and International specialties. The highlight of the feast is none other than the Lamb Ouzi. The colorful sushi counter also brings a delight. And the table of sweet treats is definitely not to be missed!
Timings: Sunset to 9pm
Price: Adults (12 years and above): AED 255 per person with 25% discount in the first week of Ramadan || Children (6 – 12 years): 50% discount || Children (5 years and below): Complimentary
![Iftar at the Palace Downtown Dubai 2018 Iftar at the Palace Downtown Dubai 2018](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FJZaVKtMiY33gFLPVe7UDnP_R8gODdAJ33XGwys0pSGqcCkQsKVHUbcaECksYnDe17isMhdFsTN8aUFZLgIfBDgCKRPaCjiI6xjR6jnALWMP_mc8u7iOvy2Af8BA6thd3zFUW2cTKYA/s1600/The+Palace+Iftar+2018+%252813+of+76%2529.jpg) |
A tower of dates at Ewaan |
![Ramadan at the Palace Downtown Dubai 2018 Ramadan at the Palace Downtown Dubai 2018](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisx_YAwcHVSbcRAg5nvImfQEcTiTDH1B8ikYBydqeDTUJyJvjDXuQSltgei-G6RepawIspNAsQDMzeHhSp8UiRSJKKCY_pswFDDa9N07tfc2vIkTYeSf3VjQLsD0_2hUR9FaJ-CbNPa8/s640/The+Palace+Iftar+2018+%252857+of+76%2529.jpg) |
Fruit platter and warm Ramadan greetings |
![oud player at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar oud player at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF6YCskz70395RzxAaeTBkdxBwd0Jg-LtW8jLn2LZC6JX5BqSZeaZDNhjizHko0jY_Uai6umXMnwJC9uTnGgzXP5lphgPs4yc87zGD3wVzXMnFUiGMUtpQCBco0cy62ngYzpskzbXzBo/s640/The+Palace+Iftar+2018Lightroom3.jpg) |
Oud player |
![arabic starters at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar arabic starters at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbe9m6Y8_53AP636yIxQQpBtbUZJ3RussYyAMfpIqBcUsPhGcd6kEJv1mJC5-O5YaVOn5jPGZWkjTTJr-wCCcjkDV08qj6J0loslMKqqrDYUUci7E-Ikrh9HXwhpy_LcgEjjzxzwSCGI/s640/The+Palace+Iftar+2018+%252818+of+76%2529.jpg) |
Arabic starters |
![sushi at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar sushi at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGdpOhbz_ZiQ9H4Zl6sPTouIt0Bcd3Ch4hSDVg_J9ZcYyk9XZg0-dL-rIotmgzQa7LnCH_R9ZjZbJsV8-akr2r1jyEFf49iq0nNp0W61lIy5THZqJpx-u_d7-4Vf_u84niXDUo7kRGEY/s1600/The+Palace+Iftar+2018+%252841+of+76%2529.jpg) |
Colorful sushi station |
![iftar details at the Palace Downtown Dubai 2018 iftar details at the Palace Downtown Dubai 2018](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRckXEMDKedCncJ9mey5UGQ5z7hCBoTy3PHYWAfsdt-WsyAkYL91ahUDpONcvoUo_nXsiBCpFpB4a0-MQmBKcNKc6i9QngyfJdM44gZSK7IP7xXyFB2d47DXjpTqKufe-cNefKnt4S5e4/s640/The+Palace+Iftar+2018Lightroom.jpg) |
Impeccable details! |
![lamb ouzi at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar lamb ouzi at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5xHG7juPmUHqfCL7acAu9z6RTmYQi_xGGmlnSKo3Dzu6BhkIakQUPtrGbyWjtA0MWazNUv1CWZTa7QEsar0awACBZHzxdiVqRh1YjHlZTuvNFuOx890ckxAygn1dTYjdtICsn6ljejk/s1600/The+Palace+Iftar+2018+%252846+of+76%2529.jpg) |
A gorgeous platter of Lamb Ouzi |
![main course at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar main course at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCFQoS2cptiUew53dTbLgmx9hzrXmVUdoWMubglQx0fAn4SCokhriodWJ9BCxJttEF1VoyJEXrhwPFqT29OQrieP3Qjx5VR3sK2e55bl-2mTg3Ewf6wgIUm7rGBWihwYDMyUYamqBQ0A/s640/The+Palace+Iftar+2018Lightroom2.jpg) |
roast beef and more choices for main course |
![dessert table at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar dessert table at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYaRHW6RO9Wbc0tmpUE86i5Yl2cEGcPLu4PLWwnMYzEAMJD21RK0_7H4KuTkZNgWTnci9TpRx4roTDhw2Jh-Ha7I-5_uMfsedWvWsbi3oCDu3oGw2aeqjFqFtQpQdRxkGdjNGw2dXbnI/s1600/The+Palace+Iftar+2018+%252850+of+76%2529.jpg) |
Dessertssssss! |
![Lady at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar Lady at the Palace Downtown Dubai iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcWH6JPLsXpRIfCnBOvIvk3JhQfmxR-71UZaXmdwpXc-UFncN0-Vo6uR3ZiXU2dBpJNOvJkSM94mOKeo0Cde-waL5gsChzx09hGP56t34JSPilIvMeYGxc-GCkB9RlcYZ2fGaNtlvF04/s640/The+Palace+Iftar+2018Lightroom4.jpg) |
Finally met Tinggay of The Pink Mind! |
Ramadan Royal Experience at Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre
The iftar at Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre is not new to me. It is actually my go-to venue for delectable yet reasonably-priced iftar over the years. And I'm glad that the iftar tradition is still being carried on by Master Chef Mama in Medley restaurant.
The buffet features homemade specialties of Chef Mama who is well-loved for her exceptional cooking; particularly the dishes with a Moroccan twist. My all-time favorites are the lamb ouzi, chicken tagine, and vegetable couscous.
Timings: 7 – 11pm
Price: AED 189 for adults || AED 89 for kids || Free entrance for kids under 6 yrs old
![iftar at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqVQDOfc2r3Bq9uWA554qTY14j8M7h7A1qrIsd9-brJLzDHEob0fVp-ifbfV1-a192TFaIJOykDrXNliSNJusWj-8jIXg0es9VbTaIkDAXDP8qqeT1TQagt0m11b-Xt_uxojNls7e7Gk/s640/Pullman+DCC+Iftar+2018+%25283+of+28%2529.jpg) |
Iftar with a Moroccan twist |
![hummus at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar hummus at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oseUkl3QZxYPEEn6a4d7fT5nXIP3oyf70mhL0bbTUnG_HKHx40tqY9cL9WhbWq-49DtSSL6k7kUAvfSdTVN5ZVoVoTUCxN1CRAtqwU5YKHRk6MG-Y4kkkBtiR0hXZ-XoHnmAJTSSQVk/s640/Pullman+DCC+Iftar+2018+%25285+of+28%2529.jpg) |
Hummus in mini tagine clay pots |
![main dishes at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar main dishes at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJl15XVFO3G3AyQzrg1szTocPyZUsEi_9y4asaNjIbdt2-XdniYVC4fwN-toHpMP5vrckuFU8I8Rvvltok7aFfVxPwRG1KRTkZ24ZCChvNH_qWpmcOSjTNrNr7AgGeW4jceobcNwk72w/s640/Pullman+DCC+Iftar+2018+%25288+of+28%2529.jpg) |
an array of main dishes in front of the live cooking station |
![vegetarian options at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar vegetarian options at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAYSOs95tkEr0oehAzNx6A8B7ioQUeV_oW5I1q2RI7k-dSJ_rKDYx_oEH3QWmL5ewcjOgkA0t4icyhm1ty0gk-6iaJrroNOpkwNzRxiTftiB6iOroUJcVnpyw2aGnKr6jCAKEdTi_Qk8/s640/Pullman+DCC+Iftar+2018+%252812+of+28%2529.jpg) |
for the vegetarians: Veg Quiche |
![arabic sweets at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar arabic sweets at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xso__M5tbeyDdDY1FpSKHoXmZq3DvhQuD2ciKm6l7KEVAJ14RJFI7KG6vlFlYsFDt3-ysUQD6IKWciHu7QS8S18IXAMnQf6aw01_kdPiyrW7R13AdjNx0oBA8aI743hgYzrySsGfVCY/s1600/Pullman+DCC+Iftar+2018+%252814+of+28%2529.jpg) |
Arabic sweets |
![Lady at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar Lady at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFusDNfg_-2Gx8c3_RXa6IbMJ5Q5QBcuFzOEccCsb3ZswntZReocGm7n44T8tBerdMBEQtfyUUwEIvbQUqpwKY6BEnGYvzgguG6S8YFXHYNhyKLjyUxU-aOQXDH0fimXEy_HJjDhajlMM/s640/Pullman+DCC+Iftar+2018+%252823+of+28%2529.jpg) |
I had a wonderful conversation over the delightful iftar with Leslie! |
![Chef Mama at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar Chef Mama at Pullman Dubai Creek city centre iftar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIziFs9PAaEpjz3CeNgItpLuetiHXp45MHPs9HiMVtNNMwuKgx8my0AHKCv78Xb-75xieuXToH7nN8qoSuuiMl2sIuklqtRsHCNNLCWIbkOkSrDaLFnNBWthG9QwJCnXcNnU2FuelZ_A/s640/Pullman+Iftar+2018+Lightroom.jpg) |
with Master Chef Mama of Medley restaurant |
Thank you to The Address Dubai Marina, Palace Downtown, and Pullman Dubai Creek City Centre for inviting me to their Iftar previews. And warm hugs to my blog readers-turned-real friends for being with me on those special evenings.
All photos in this blog post were shot on Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus.