One of the newest iftars on offer in the Emirates is also one not to be missed.
This new hotel sits alongside the unexpected greenery that is the Eastern Mangroves, and looks out over water, trees and the capital’s skyline in the distance. But in the main restaurant, Ingredients, your attention will likely be squarely focused on the iftar spread, which is varying and most importantly, very tasty.
Food is offered buffet style, but the dishes there are smaller, which gives a sense of freshness to the many salads and dips on offer, from Arabic classics (don’t miss the super-smoky aubergine-tomato-chickpea moussaka) to modern Western (I loved the beetroot carpaccio with pears, blue cheese and candied pecans).
The hotel has an Eastern focus beyond those mangroves; there is a Chinese chef on hand to dish out dim sum dumplings from a large steamer, or crispy duck rolls and stir fries. There’s also a small date souk, where you can try different varieties of the sweet fruit, and a traditional tamarind juice seller.
By night, you won’t be able to make the most of the outdoor view, so get there early before digging in.
*Dh175 including juices. Iftar is served until 11pm. Call 02-6561000.
