Abid’s
Abid Zahid, the proprietor of Abid’s, has made elaborate arrangements for Iftar and Salah (prayer) this Ramzan. The buffet features flavours from Hyderabad, West Asia and Kerala, offering a variety of juices, snacks, kebabs, biryani, mandi, nombu kanji, and an assortment of desserts. New additions to this year’s menu include fried chicken, bun kebabs, and bun shawarma subs. “This year, I have introduced North Malabar Iftar delicacies such as chatti pathiri, kaipola, unnakkai, prawns [chemmeen] undaputt, and tender coconut pudding. Apart from this, we have mutton haleem and a selection of themed Iftar boxes,” says Abid.
Iftar buffet at Abid’s Spurtank in Chennai.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ravindran
Iftar buffet at Abid’s Spurtank in Chennai on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ravindran
The Ramadan food festival offers a diverse menu: Shaan-E-Hyderabad features traditional dishes from the Nizami heritage, including kheemay ki lukhmi, pathar ka gosht, pathar ka murgh, Hyderabadi dum biryani, khubani ka meetha, and dum chai. Aroma of Arabia brings the flavours of West Asia with dishes like fattoush (a tangy salad), Moroccan chicken kofta, escalope chicken (thin slices of meat pounded and crumb-fried with spices), tabaq mandi (a Saudi dish made with slow-cooked lamb and rice), kabsa (a fragrant rice dish served with mutton or chicken), hummus with pita bread, Arabian chicken, and chicken al-faham.
The Iftar buffet is available from 6:20pm to 7:50 pm for ₹800 and requires pre-booking. For reservations, call 9841284703. Abid’s mutton haleem will be available from March 13 at the Marina Mall food court on OMR. Free samples of haleem will be distributed on March 15 from 5pm to 7pm. Their Iftar value meal pack starts at ₹250. To book Iftar boxes, call 9841284703. A takeaway counter will offer snacks and haleem from 4pm onwards.
Zaraa Catering
Syed Suhail, who launched Zaara Catering a decade ago, has set up an exclusive Hyderabadi Iftar Mela, with his team of cooks preparing Hyderabadi dum biryani and other regional Ramzan snacks this year. “As I had the infrastructure and staff, I decided to organise an Iftar bazaar for the first time. Though I initially planned to run the mela from 4pm to 2am, due to the overwhelming crowd, we end up closing by 10pm. We are unable to handle the surge of over 4,000 customers per day, despite preparing more than 200 kilos of biryani and 50 kilos of haleem,” says Syed. The mela features a fixed menu that includes Hyderabadi dum biryani, mutton margh, pathar ka gosht, dum tandoor, chicken and mutton haleem (₹120 for 100 grams), shadiwala dum chicken, chicken tikka, and desserts. Due to space constraints for dining and parking, Syed plans to shift the venue to a larger location next year.
Iftar buffet at Zaara Catering, opp to EA mall, in Chennai on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ravindran
Iftar buffet at Zaara Catering, opp to EA mall., in Chennai.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ravindran
Iftar buffet at Zaara Catering, opp to EA mall., in Chennai on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ravindran
@Open grounds on GP Road, opposite to EA Mall, Royapettah. On till March 31, 4pm till stocks last. Take-away only. For booking, call 9840178366.
Buhari Mount Road
Due to popular demand, Buhari on Mount Road has introduced an Iftar buffet at its restaurant, The Mughal, on the first floor. Afzal Ahmed of Buhari says they will be serving an elaborate buffet from 6pm to 8.30pm. “As our seating capacity is limited to 70, we prefer pre-booking. Popular items include prawn 65, spring rolls, mutton samosas, and chicken kebabs. The buffet will also feature mutton biryani and parottas. Pastries, ice creams, and Persian cakes are among the crowd favourites. Apart from the buffet, we also offer Iftar meal boxes containing mutton biryani, mutton haleem, mutton samosa, chicken 65 roll, fruit salad, phirni, juice, water, and dates,” says Afzal.
Iftar buffet on the occasion of Ramzan month at Buhari restaurant, Mount Road in Chennai.
| Photo Credit:
Akhila Easwaran
Iftar buffet on the occasion of Ramzan month at Buhari restaurant, Mount Road in Chennai.
| Photo Credit:
Akhila Easwaran
Iftar buffet on the occasion of Ramzan month at Buhari restaurant, Mount Road in Chennai.
| Photo Credit:
Akhila Easwaran
To book your Iftar buffet and for Iftar take-away boxes (₹550), call: 7299901951. Take-away boxes will be available from 4pm onwards. Buffet will be served from 6 to 8.30pm.
Hatimys
This 10-year-old brand has become one of the most happening hubs during the Ramzan fasting days. While numerous eateries set up stalls on the pavement to sell non-vegetarian snacks, it was Mohammed Mustansir who pioneered the concept of offering a wide range of snacks at pocket-friendly prices. “We are primarily wedding caterers and launched Hatimys ten years ago. I introduced this street food culture by selling freshly-made snacks placed on tables just outside our restaurant. Soon, everyone followed suit, transforming Mannady’s food scene,” says Mohammed. “Our snacks are Bohri and Arabian-inspired, with slight tweaks to suit the South Indian palate. Prices start at ₹30. Every evening, we sell a wide range of snacks, including chicken goli kebab, chicken safari, mutton cheese balls, chicken cheese sandwiches, crispy chicken, mutton samosas, and Irani kaju rolls.” This year they have introduced coconut mango pudding and Lotus biscoff pudding.
Hatimys, George Town,takes only pre-orders for biryanis. Sales of snacks begins by 3.30 and goes on till stocks last, which is usually till 8 pm. For details, call 97909 52531
Zaitoon Signature
Zaitoon Signature’s Ramadan Nights is an ideal place to enjoy a range of Iftar snacks and desserts. “We have made arrangements for selling over 40 types of snacks, both vegetarian and non vegetarian during the fasting days with prices starting at ₹20 onwards. We specialise in Kerala snacks such as chatti pathiri, kaipola, unna kai, thari kanji and thread chicken. In our live counters, we will be showcasing bhuna ghost pav, chicken roast with nei pathiri, Manakish lamb and fried chicken with mac and cheese pasta. We also have Hyderabadi mutton haleem, samosa, shammi kebabs and different varieties of tea. Our Mohabbat ka sherbat, kunafa, mango kulfi, shahi tukra and kala jamun and milk shakes are best sellers,” says Shameer Hameedali, marketing head, Zaitoon Signature. Customers are handed trays as they arrive and can go around the various counters and choose. Mutton haleem is priced at ₹350 for 250 ml.
Dishes are on display at Zaitoon on L.B. Road, Adyar, in Chennai.
| Photo Credit:
M. Karunakaran
The Iftar snacks stall is open from 4pm till midnight until March 31 at Zaitoon Signature, Nungambakkam. Zaitoon Iftar boxes are priced at ₹590 is available across all their outlets, and has nombu kanji, assorted snacks, mutton biryani, parotta, haleem, dessert, juice and fruits. To book your slot, call 7092322223
Pick your box
Junior Kuppanna
Junior Kuppanna offers three types of Iftar boxes this year: mini, special, and family priced at ₹299, ₹499, and ₹1,099, respectively. The mini box includes dates, water, cut fruits, juice, Korean wings, chicken roll, boiled eggs, and mutton haleem. The special box, designed for two, additionally contains chicken 65, plain biryani, parotta with gravy, and bread halwa. The family box, meant for three, includes the same items as the special box but in larger portions. Available across all outlets. To pre-book, call 7540077749.
Samco
Iftar take away box.
| Photo Credit:
Chitradeepa Anantharam
Founded in 1962, Samco is known for its mutton samosas, mutton haleem and nombu kanji, which are especially popular during Ramzan. Priced at ₹575, the Iftar box includes mandi, shawarma, parotta with chicken curry, BBQ chicken, haleem, mutton samosa, kanji, gulab jamun, juice, water, dates, and fruits. Available at all outlets. To pre-book, call 8056249966.
Sahibs
Every year, Sahibs offers a South Indian-style family Iftar kit for nine days with different combinations. The kits come in sealed boxes suitable for either two people (₹1,500) or five people (₹3,000). Each box includes blue pea tea, cold coffee, cut fruits, nombu kanji with thovayal, idli with chicken kulambu, vadai, mutton samosa, juice, and ande ka meeta for dessert. The menu changes on a weekly basis. Pre-booking is required at least one day in advance. To order, call 8999266662.
Palm Shore
Iftar special food displayed at Palm Shore Hotel in Chennai.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ragu
They have curated an elaborate Middle Eastern cuisine-inspired Iftar meal box suitable for two. In addition to mutton haleem, kanji, and samosa, the box includes a chicken wrap, chicken lubnani, idiyappam, chicken biryani, yakhni biryani, dip, mayo, cut fruits, dates, and a sweet. Priced at ₹599, these boxes are available at all Palm Shore outlets in the city.
Grill Box
Their budget-friendly Iftar pack comes with a 10 percent discount for self-pickup. The kit includes chicken tikka biryani, chicken mini pizza, chicken momo, nombu kanji, mini veg rolls, a sweet, juice, water, and fruits. Priced at ₹399. To pre-book, call 9500128070.
Nombu kanji prepared for Iftaar.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ravindran
Published – March 12, 2025 03:45 pm IST
