4 fine dining London restaurants to visit for Iftar during Ramadan

We are in the throes of Ramadan, which means for 30 days, practicing Muslims will be observing a fast from morning to evening. This is the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, and commemorates the moment that the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad. This daily fast ends with a grand meal, called Iftar. And many fine dining restaurants across London have launched special menus and activations to help anyone observing Ramadan to enjoy a grand Iftar meal. 

Here, we list the best fine dining restaurants in London to visit for Iftar this Ramadan.InterContinental London Park Lane x Ayesha Kalaji, Mayfair

This Ramadan, InterContinental London Park Lane has collaborated with award-winning Jordanian chef Ayesha Kalaji on a new Iftar menu. Set in the elegant surrounds of the Wellington Lounge and Arch Bar, guests are invited to take a seat with friends and family to enjoy a fragrant feast of delicately spiced plates. Begin with a choice of comforting shorba and savoury mezzes, ranging from Moroccan lentil soup and creamy hummus topped with smoked tomato and date confiture; to labneh with sweet Urfa chilli onions; and a seasonal Somerset fattoush salad. 

The sharing-style feast continues with a range of colourful mains, including slow-cooked lamb ouzi on a bed of minted rice, nuts and raisins; a whole grilled seabass with braised cannellini beans; and a signature mixed grill with beef kofta, merguez sausage and spiced tandoori chicken. Ensure room for afters and relish in a choice of traditional desserts, from sweet treats of Arabian rice pudding infused with rose water and saffron; to a modern baklava cheesecake laced with pistachio, walnut and rose syrup.Villa Mamas, Chelsea

Bahraini restaurant, Villa Mamas in Chelsea, will be welcoming guests for Iftar with a special three-course Ramadan menu featuring chef Roaya Saleh’s comforting dishes made with love and heritage. Start with hand-rolled warak enab, crispy sambosas, or Jirish kibbeh before choosing from hearty mains like Bahraini chicken machbous, slow-braised lamb shank, or Persian-style chicken tahchin. End on a sweet note with Um Ali, Muhalabia, or saffron-infused Elgaimat with ice cream.COYA, Mayfair

COYA Mayfair is offering an exclusive Iftar set menu for a refined and flavourful way to break the Ramadan fast. Thoughtfully crafted to honour the sacred period of Ramadan, this limited-edition menu is designed to be shared with family or friends. Guests can enjoy appetizers including gyoza de res, tacos de shiitake, and baos con res wagyu, before dining on mains such as slow cooked beef brisket with purple corn glazed crispy shimeji mushrooms, lamb ribs or corn fed baby chicken. Finish the dining experience with COYA’s signature dessert to share, perfectly complemented by refreshing non-alcoholic cocktails. UBA, Shoreditch

If you’d like to celebrate Ramadan the pan-Asian way, head over to UBA for the restaurant’s halal menu. Taking influence from the bustling streets and aromatic alleys of some of Asia’s most vibrant cities, from Hong Kong to Hanoi to Kyoto, Singapore and Bangkok, expect fragrant plates with theatrical twists. Hero dishes include rock shrimp tempura with seaweed furikake and kimchi garlic mayo; Korean crispy fried chicken with sesame and lime; salmon belly with teriyaki, wasabi and zuma salad; chicken xiolong bao; and beef hirata with tonkatsu sauce and mustard mayo.

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