Where to go for a Ramadan Iftar feast

Ronan Doyle
10 hours ago
5 min read

Muslim or not, anyone who’s ever attended an iftar dinner won’t wonder why UNESCO added the Ramadan fast-breaking meal to their list of intangible cultural heritage, alongside the Mediterranean diet and the French baguette. It’s everything we love about food - hungry people coming together to share plates piled high.

With almost half of Ireland’s growing Muslim population living in Dublin city and suburbs, there’s never been a better time to experience the broad array of cuisines and cultures this growing diaspora is gifting us. And while going without food from sunrise to sunset will surely help build up an appetite, you don't need to partake in the fast to experience the joys of iftar – as the first entry on this list puts it, “you don’t need to share a religion to share a meal”...

(Ramadan runs through to March 19^th this year, so you've got nine more days to get involved)

Shaku Maku, Rathmines

That spirit of shared experience sums up the joy of Shaku Maku, who’ve leaned hard into the cross-community potential of iftar (and have been booked out constantly because of it - plan this one in advance). They’re charging €30 on weekdays or €35 on weekends for an all-you-can-eat Palestinian buffet, and with the never-misses quality here we tend to eat a lot. Ramadan-specific desserts and jalab, a fruit syrup we don't see nearly enough of in Dublin, are all the more reason to rush in to this one. Between huge spreads of mezze, rice-stuffed veggies and okra stew, this one makes for a particularly good pick for vegetarians too. Book online.

Zouq, Blanchardstown

Outside of the more-than-half of the Muslim population that’s Irish, Pakistanis make up the biggest group here by far, and there’s plenty of places that cater to their specific tastes. Zouq in Blanchardstown is one of the best (and best value), with a €25.99 buffet serving up samosa and pakora starters, biryani and karahi mains, and plenty of chai and kheer to finish. With kids welcome at half the adult price, it’s an ideal family pick. Book by phone on 01 8128714.

Sofra, Liffey Street Upper

Get a taste of Turkish iftar with Sofra’s set menu for €35. The chilli oil-slicked çorba soup to start still lingers in our memory, and the ample appetite it whets will be needed to get you through their mixed grill platter and the many mezzes it comes with. The only downside is you’ll have no room left for our beloved içli köfte – but a couple to take away for breakfast the next day never hurt anyone. Book by phone on 01 5586902.

Ruchii, Blackrock

Given its aim to represent the full culinary diversity of India, it’s no surprise Blackrock’s Ruchii have wheeled out an iftar special, taking in some of the Persian-influenced tastes of the country’s northeast, where the majority of the Muslim population is concentrated. The €25 a head set menu starts with dates and mango lassi before taking you through a platter of tikka and seekh kebab, thick mutton curry and saffron-scented chicken biryani mains, and a choice of dessert. Book by phone on 01 4444432.

Southern Spices, Sandyford

Muslims in India may be most commonly associated with Northern states’ foods, but there’s a rich heritage down south too, from maritime Arab trade – who better to celebrate it than Southern Spices. The Sandyford spot is offering a €24.95 prepared platter with plenty to eat your way through - dates and grapes to start; royal chicken biryani, chicken 65, lamb kofta, and cucumber raita to follow; and bread halwa to finish. Book by phone on 0877117707.

Mehfil, Blanchardstown

A hyper-localised Indian iftar tradition is Hyderabadi haleem - whole bubbling cauldrons of which fill the city’s streets with scents all through Ramadam, and even do a bustling trade in worldwide exports. But no need to file an order - the meat and lentil stew is the centrepiece of Mehfil’s special for €22.99, also including a chaat starter, saffron syrup-soaked dough ball dessert and the rose cordial Rooh Afza to drink. Book by phone on 0870373889.

Rotana, Parnell Street and Temple Bar

We’d worried Rotana’s shuttering of their original Portobello site last year was a bad sign, but it seems like they were just reallocating resources to the heart of the action. The long-time Lebanese grill has just set up shop in Temple Bar right beside the Central Bank building. Their iftar experience (just the à la carte with a bit more of a buzz) is running in both locations with dates on the door. Book by phone on 018148751.

Moenjo, Rathmines

Billing itself a tribute to the ancient Indus Valley civilisation that shaped much of Pakistan’s Sindh province’s culinary traditions, Moenjo opened in Rathmines early last month. Their €25 iftar buffet starts with sweet spiced bowls of fruit chai alongside more of that Rooh Afza, before taking in piles of pakoras and samosas, vats of karahi and biryani (though not the specialty Sindhi variety with spuds and plums – you’ll need to go à la carte for that), and finishing up on kheer and chai.

Dada, South William Street

Chebbakia is one standout reason to make a beeline for South William Street and Moroccan mainstay Dada – the sweet sesame pastry is a classic iftar treat across the Maghreb. At €39, the set menu here is the priciest we’ve found but one of the punchiest too, with earthy harira soup, nutrient-dense sellou, and honey-drenched baklawa bulking up the choice of any tagine or couscous. Book online.

Le Gazin, Dorset Street

Across the other side of Africa you’ll find Somalian food – we have that now on the other side of the city too. Dorset Street’s Le Gazin aren’t doing any specific set menu or specials for iftar, but the complimentary dates and spiced tea they’re offering across Ramadan are great tops and tails to the menu of samosas and suqaars that define the unique fusion cuisine of this maritime nation.

Afanti, Cavendish Row

Unique fusion cuisine again in the form of Ireland’s first Uyghur restaurant Afanti, an ode to the Sino-Turkic influences that shaped the food of this Chinese Muslim minority – given the intense ongoing efforts to stamp out such distinctions, it’s a culture worth celebrating. There’s no Ramadan specials but plenty to explore à la carte. Samsa, manti and kawap all deliciously showcase the Silk Road synergies, and adventurous eaters should make right for the spicy bean jelly and salted milk tea.

Al Khair, South Circular Road

Starting out as a community canteen for the Dublin Mosque’s underserved congregation all the way back in 1985, Al Khair opened to the wider public in 2007 and has done stellar IYKYK trade ever since. They’re running daily iftar specials alongside their regular à la carte menu of Indian and Pakistani classics – the €1.80 samosas are the stuff of legend, but everything here is exceptional value. Book by phone on 014535087.