An iftar to remember at Dusit Thani Hotel

Iftars in the UAE are often a lavish affair reflecting the region’s rich culinary fare. But ending your fast at the Dusit Thani Hotel’s buffet is a different experience: A great view of the city from the 24th floor combined with a range of international delights makes it an iftar to remember.

You can end your fast the traditional way, with one of the five types of dates – including a local organic variety – and a glass of traditional Ramadan juice like Jallab (dates) or Kamer Al Deen (apricot).

Next you can move to the soup section, like I did. I opted for the good old lentil and a colourful beef goulash, seasoned with paprika and other spices the Central European way. I enjoyed every spoonful with a hot mezzeh – from fried kibbehs to falafels and spring rolls to pakodas (batter-fried veggies).

Hot pastas

You could also dig into one of the three types of pasta – ravioli, farfalle and spaghetti from the live pasta station or bite into a hot shawarma, but I preferred the salads.

The spread featured a huge selection of Arabic starters including hummus and moutabel, but international items like Thai asparagus and enoki rolls with beef pastrami and baby spinach and smoked salmon salad with capers caught my attention. The minced chicken with roasted rice flavoured with Thai herbs, smacked of lemon grass and tasted great.

If you also happen to see the cheese quiches on the salad bar, do grab a few. You wouldn’t have eaten a pastry crust like that.