Ramadan evenings in Abu Dhabi

Live cooking, sheesha under the stars, Arabic music... Ramadan tents have it all


Hilton Abu Dhabi

It's a tradition to head for the city's most popular Ramadan tent in the capital — the Layali Hiltonia Ramadan Café. Situated at the Hiltonia beach, overlooking the Arabian Gulf, the café serves all the traditional Arabic delights under the warm canopy of a tent.

There's live cooking and sheesha under the stars and the hotel claims this tent usually attracts a crowd of as many as 1,500 to 2,000 guests each time. The entrance to Layali is free and it is open from sunset to the early hours of the morning.

Sheraton Abu Dhabi Resort & Towers

There's an atmosphere of festivity at the Ramadan village in this hotel. Called the Layali el Helmiyya, the village, comprising a number of sections, is situated on the lawns of the hotel's resort and swimming pool area.

Popular recorded Arabic numbers are played during the breaks taken by the oud player. Traditional tents feature different Arabic food items. Every Dh50 spent at this tent entitles the person to win two round-trip tickets to any of the Qatar Airways destinations around the world.

Hotel InterContinental Abu Dhabi

This hotel's traditional Ramadan outlet, the Al Siran Tent, is located at the hotel's picturesque Marina, and remains open from 7pm until 2am on weekdays and until 3am on weekends. Multi-flavoured sheesha, hot and cold beverages, snacks, baked breads, sweets and typical Ramadan dishes are all to be found in this tent.

Sands Hotel, Abu Dhabi

This hotel's tent, a typical '1001 Nights Ramadan Tent', is situated on the hotel's rooftop. Savour the fresh breeze even as you enjoy delicious savouries, including barbecue dishes, shawarma, Arabic mezzeh and traditional Arabic sweets to satisfy your appetite during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Don't forget the sheesha stacked with a choice of tobacco flavours. More than 10 flavours are available every night. You can also listen to the divine music of the oud player and taste freshly cooked Arabic bread.

Beach Rotana Hotel & Towers, Abu Dhabi

The Zaeem Village, the Ramadan tent at this hotel, captures the true spirit of Ramadan. Apart from the wide array of Arabic delicacies and fruit juice cocktails, there's hubbly bubbly in a range of special flavours.

An oud player sets the mood, as people play cards and backgammon. Every Dh50 spent here entitles the person to win a trip for four persons to Euro Disney France. A weekly raffle draw is held every Saturday for a chance to win an airline ticket to any of Gulf Air's online destinations.

Le Meridien Abu Dhabi

This hotel creates an ambience to stir up memories of the Andalusian period by setting up the Al Hambra tent. Here, visitors can indulge in a number of Arabic dishes such as hommous, foul mesdames, balila and many more. Traditional hot and cold Ramadan drinks such as tea, coffee, sahlab, helba and karkade are also served. The oud player livens up the evening with his performance.

Novotel Centre Hotel

This Ramadan, the Novotel, in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club, is operating a Ramadan tent on the terrace of the Golf Club. Open for Iftar and Suhoor, guests can stroll in at any time after sunset to enjoy a typical Ramadan snack, coffee and sheesha. This tent is also available for private functions.

Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi

It's literally sheesha under the stars at this Ramadan tent. Located on the rooftop of the hotel, providing a spectacular view of the city, this tent is open from 8pm until 2am. Every night, a sumptuous array of traditional Arabic snacks and drinks along with an extensive selection of sheesha flavours is available beside a Roman-style rooftop swimming pool.