Iftar of the day: Imperium, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

If you are looking for an iftar where opulence is key, then head for an evening at Imperium at the new Jumeirah hotel on the Palm. The dazzling baroque restaurant, resplendent with chandeliers and rich decorations, is playing host to a Ramadan buffet nightly until 8pm, and is the place to impress someone with, especially if a table near the window is requested — they are next to the outdoor water features.

A highlight of the spread is the sushi — nearly every person dining on the night we visited lingered around this small section, and more pieces, delivered faster, would be have been appreciated, as even the biggest fan of hummus and tabbouleh needs an international fix now and then.

The creamy umm ali also rated highly, even with people who are usually not bowled over by the dessert. We liked the mix of classic dishes such as kibbe bil laban and ouzi, as well as international favourites of macaroni and cheese and roasts, and the salads are refreshing and unexpected — roast tomato was very good.