And, for some, that means the chance to try out new locations as they break their fast – or simply join in this special season.
Entering the lavish lobby confirms that you have landed somewhere a bit special, even by Dubai’s luxury standards. But if you can tear yourself away from the palatial setting with its sweeping twin staircases and tempting sofas, the Astor Ballroom beckons.
In spite of the surroundings, however, iftar at this landmark hotel close to Dubai Canal, is a sensible and, some might say, restrained affair.
The St Regis Dubai doesn’t embellish the sense of occasional with an over-the-top buffet, rather a selection that ticks many boxes with quality and style in mind over endless choice.
With food waste a hot topic, the St Regis chefs provide a spread that satisfies and indulges but stops short of unecessary excess.
Salads are plentiful but not over-facing, with mussels and baby octopus lifting the bar here beyond simple leaves. That said, you can assemble something basic or fill up on a variety of combinations.
One thing the Astor Ballroom does that is different to other iftar venues is present its food around the edge of a central island.
While this works if other people are prepared to queue politely and not cut in – which generally is the case in this type of establishment.
When the crowds did thin out, an eye-catching desserts display was drawing phone camera attention.
Headliners here included artistic individual cakes, bite-size mousses and tarts, and rich sticky date pudding and umm ali, plus an epic kunafa popular enough to require regular refills.
Before then, pushing our savoury buttons were a mix of regular iftar crowd-pleasers such as mixed grills - great lamb kofta - and butter chicken alongside less frequent iftar stars.
Also vying for attention were sometimes over-looked local dishes such as chicken makbous (a moreish meat and rice combination) and wheat-based lamb harees.
Succulent lamb okra stew exhibited star quality, as did the cheese rokkakat bundles and yummy yoghurt and meat dumplings (joshpara) in the Ottoman-originated dish shish barak.
DETAILS:
IFTAR at The Astor Ballroom, St Regis Dubai, is from sunset until 9pm daily.
IT costs AED235 per person.
FOR more information and to book call 04 435 5555 or visit www.stregisdubai.com