Ramadan Dining and Wellness 2020 | Self-Isolation

“Ramadan is time to empty your stomach to feed your soul.” Unknown

Ramadan 2020 will be like no other. The COVID-19 restrictions sees mosques closed to worshippers, meetings of extended family prohibited, iftar and suhour tents cancelled and no grand buffets. The Ramadan moon-sighting committee will meet (virtually) tonight after Maghreb prayer with the Holy Month likely to begin tomorrow (24th April) subject to the sighting of the moon tonight.

Hotels and restaurants are still offering households the opportunity to break their fast together with special iftar menus delivered to your door. If you are fasting this Ramadan it’s important to include nutrient-rich, energy boasting food in your diet. Meal planning is more important this year as we are facing social distancing and daily movement restrictions. Fitness and wellness are equally important to keep the mind and body active. Here’s some restaurants offering iftar deliveries in Abu Dhabi and some wellness ideas.

Iftar Dine-in Deliveries

Anantara Eastern Mangroves – This Ramadan, Anantara Eastern Mangroves is making it easier for families to spend time together with Iftar and Suhoor menus available for home delivery and collection. Both menus include hot and cold mezze options with traditional dishes such as tabbouleh, moutabel, falafel and kibbeh alongside a selection of juices, soups, grilled favourites shish taouk and kofta as well as desserts including mahalabia and tiramisu. Iftar offerings include lamb shank tagine, chicken maklouba and fish salona while a selection of saj and wraps can be ordered for Suhoor – see the full menu HERE

Cost: Individual dishes start from AED 28. The Iftar set menu starts at AED 250 for 2 people. Iftar is available for pick up from the hotel lobby from 5pm to 8pm. Suhoor is available for delivery from 10pm to 2am (Suhoor minimum spend AED 150, delivery time depends on location). Telephone 02 656 1182 or 056 188 7700 to place your order.

Beach Rotana – Chef Abu Halab and his team from Al Shorfa Lounge located at the Beach Rotana have created an Iftar menu for take-away and delivery. Traditional favourites and the finest treats take centre stage in the menu with dates, fruit and Ramadan juices along with a selection of cold and hot Mezzeh and a daily changing menu – download the full menu HERE

Cost: Hot & cold mezzeh AED 25 per dish, Iftar menu AED 95 per person including jallab juice and dates. Telephone 02 697 9027 to order for take-away or delivery (minimum order for delivery by Beach Rotana is AED 200). Members of the Rotana Rewards programme get an exclusive 25% off on the Iftar menu (minimum order for delivery AED 200 after discount).

COYA Abu Dhabi – Indulge in a Peruvian inspired Iftar menu available throughout Ramadan, a specially created menu that offers diners twelve authentic dishes from Peru. Start your feast with Datiles Sukkari (dates) and Edamame followed by a choice of soup and five appetisers to share including Papa Y Pollo (grilled chicken, bell pepper, huayro potato and botija olive) and Maki Roll de Aguacate (shitake, aji limo, avocado, quinoa and black sesame). Choose from five main courses such as Arroz Nikkei (Chilean sea bass, rice, lime and chilli) or Costillas de Res (beef ribs, sesame, aji limo and spring onion). Finish with a kunafa inspired dessert of Tortell de Nata Maracuya (passion fruit cremeux, puff pastry, coconut ice cream, konafa and pistachios)

Cost: The COYA Abu Dhabi 12-dish set menu is AED 199 per person. The Iftar menu must be pre-ordered two-hours prior to required delivery time. Telephone 02 306 7000 to place your order or use the Deliveroo App.

Emirates Palace – Enjoy the spirit of Ramadan with an Emirates Palace gourmet from the comfort of your home. Gather everyone in your household to delight in the Middle Eastern and international flavours with the menu that’s designed for four or more diners. Start with lentil soup followed by hot and cold mezzeh and mains such as shish taouk, Arabic mixed grill and vegetable salona. Finish your indulgent feast with the traditional Om Ali or Date Pudding – see the full menu HERE

Cost: AED 245 per person (minimum order of four guests). Iftar delivery available daily from 5pm to 9 pm. For reservations email restaurants@emiratespalace.ae or telephone 02 690 7999.

Nectar Juice Bar – Nectar, the popular homegrown juice bar, is offering a Ramadan menu with such delights as mango chia muhalabieh (milk pudding), hot or cold organic Chai Karak, sticky toffee date cake as well as delicious Ramadan hampers filled with healthy treats.

Telephone: 02 444 1119 to order – customer pick up available from Nectar branches at Bodytree Studios and Saadiyat Island. Order via Deliveroo or Zomato. For Saadiyat delivery telephone 02 657 5816

Rosewood Abu Dhabi – Break your fast with flavours of the Middle East with the Rosewood Abu Dhabi’s family iftar menu. Dine in the comfort of your home with the exclusive menu that includes dates and dry figs and traditional Ramadan juices and a mouth-watering selection of dishes such as lamb harira soup, hot and cold mezzeh along with main courses of kousa, waraq enab, chicken biryani and vegetable salona. Strawberry lemon tartlet and hazelnut dacquoise cake are the perfect sweet treats to end the meal – see the full menu HERE

Cost: AED 199 per couple. Orders can be placed via Deliveroo.ae and CraveUAE.ae starting from 24 April 2020 onwards.

Tamba – Enjoy an Indian inspired Iftar meal delivered to your door from Tamba. Tuck into signature dishes such as samosas, lamb kebabs, chicken biryani followed by caramelised banana toffee cake (see full menu below).

Cost: AED 300/600 for two/four people. Available daily from 12 noon until 11pm. Telephone 02 672 8888 or order via Zomato and Deliveroo.

Ramadan Wellness

Gyms maybe closed but there is plenty of digital content to keep you healthy, fit and motivated throughout the Holy Month.

Cobra Fitness – Join Mat and the Cobra Fitness crew on YouTube for their Ramadan 30 DAY FITNESS CHALLENGE. There will be daily workouts along with tips and tricks to get you fit at home using household essentials. There’s an added bonus as one lucky person can win an EXCLUSIVE pack of training essentials from Hard Knox Fight Gear – to be in with a chance of winning you just need to participate, interact, like and comment on the videos as much as possible – click HERE to subscribe to their YouTube channel and get started of your fitness journey.

Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa – Treat yourself to a home facial courtesy of a recipe shared by Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa. The easy face mask recipe (see below) uses only three kitchen ingredients, combine an egg white, lemon juice and honey together and apply to your face to firm and nourish the skin as well as tightening pores and treating blackheads. Having tried it, I can confirm it was quick and easy to make and left my skin feeling great.

The Hot House UAE – Take some time for mindfulness via meditation to create awareness of sensations, emotions, breathing and find a connection from within. Visit The Hot House UAE on Instagram to join in the online class via the AT HOME highlight. You will also find a variety of yoga classes from different instructors to continue your practice at home.

The Studio – Two special online Ramadan workshops are available at The Studio next month. The Ramadan Full Moon Cleansing workshop will take place on Thursday 7th May, a self-healing evening that allow you to harness the healing power of a Full Moon during the holy month. On Friday 15th May a Ramadan Full Chakra Healing will be available – for more information visit The Studio website HERE