Iftar is the evening meal consumed after breaking the Ramadan fast. Fast is broken at sunset by the Muslims who keep the fast during the holy month usually after the prayers. Iftar along with a religious ritual has emerged as a vibrant occasion to celebrate food.
The meals are taken two times a day i.e before sunrise which is called Sehri. It is a very simple and healthy meal that is consumed to ensure that the people who fast can sustain themselves throughout the day.
Roza is then broken with some water and dates. It is after this, that the people have a hearty meal. One is served an array of other dried fruits, colored and flavored sherbets, and milk along with a range of foods. Here are some of the best places in India for Iftar.
Old Delhi
Everything related to Iftar is located near Old Delhi. You will be amazed to see the fanfare that takes place around the area especially near the Jama Masjid. One really has to struggle to get a seat during Iftar and bookings are made in advance. Here are some of the best places in Delhi to have Iftar.
- Al Jawahar near Jama Masjid-Address: No.8, Jama Masjid Matia Mahal Road, Matia Mahal, Opp Gate No.1, Delhi 110006
- Karim's near Hazarat Nizamuddin-Address: Shop No.168/2, Hazrat Nizamuddin West, Near Dargah, Delhi 110016
- Kake Di Hatti in Chandni Chowk-Address: 654-55-56, Church Mission Road, Fatehpuri, Delhi 110006
- Ustad Moinuddin Kebabs in Chawri Bazar-Address: Lal Kuan, Gali Qasimjan, Chawri Bazar, Delhi
- Ashok & Ashok Meat Dhaba in Sadar Bazar-Address: 5826/42, Basti Harphool Singh, Deshraj Bhatia Marg, Sadar Bazaar, Delhi 110006
- Purani Dilli Restaurant of Okhla Zakir Nagar-Address: 371, Main Road, Zakir Nagar, Okhla, Delhi 110025
- Babu Ram Paranthe Wale at Paranthe Waali Gali-Address: 1984 -1985, Gali Parnthewali, Chandni Chowk, Delhi 110006
- Cool Point-Address: 973, Bazar Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid.
- Aslam Chicken Corner-Address: 540, Bazaar Matia Mahal, Jama Masjid.
- Changezi Chicken- Address: 2614, Churi Walan Jama Masjid, Delhi-06 and 3614, Netaji Subhash Marg, Daryaganj.
- Qureshi Kabab Corner- Address: Gate no. 1, Near Jama Masjid, Urdu Bazar, New Delhi, Delhi 110006
Mumbai
On any given night in Ramadan, Mohammed Ali Road, under the JJ Flyover in Mumbai is one of the most popular hangouts. It has foodies from around the city surrounding the area to search for some Iftar delights. The food forte here includes chicken, mutton, and beef dishes.
- Firoz Farsan-Address: 29, Khara Tank Road, Ajmer, Kumbharwada
- Shabbir’s Tawakkal Sweets-Address: Shop no. A1, 45, Husainyah Marg, Bori Mohalla, Bhendi Bazaar, Kumbharwada
- Imam Sharbatwala- Address:74, Khara Tank Road, Ajmer, Kumbharwada
- Suleman Usman Mithaiwala- Address: Shop No.67/69, Rogay Cottage Chowk, Old Cadell Road, opposite Dargah, Mahim West
- Baba Falooda- Address: 1-2, Bellview Mansion, LJ Cross Road, Lady Jamshedji Road, Mahim
- Surti 12 Handi-Address: Shop No. 2, Orchid CHSL, Salasar Garden, Hatkesh, Near GCC Club, Mira Bhayandar Road, Thane
- JJ Jalebi-Address: Shop No 8, Kismat Compound, Behram Baug Road, Patliputra, Jogeshwari West
Kolkata
Kolkata celebrates Ramadan all across the city and you can find Muslim shopkeepers sharing their meals with non-Muslims all the time. In fact, many eateries also host a special Iftar meal to lure people from all backgrounds.
Most people have their fruits and milk at their stores or offices before heading out for an Iftar meal. Food in Kolkata is not restricted to the classics of Iftar but includes puchka, muri and even mishti doi, rosogolla, machher jhol.
Arsalan, Park Circus
Address: Marina Garden Court, No. 191, 7 Point, Park St, Beniapukur, Kolkata, West Bengal 700014, Phone: 033 2284 8556
Aminia, Chitpur Road
Address: 6A, SN Banerjee Road, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087
Phone: 033 2265 1318
Ramzan street food carnival near Nakhoda Masjid
Address: Rabindra Sarani, Chowringhee North, Bow Barracks, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
Royal Indian Hotel, Bara Bazar
Address: 147, Rabindra Sarani, Bortola, Barabazar Market, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, Phone: 099033 69147
Haji Allaudin Sweet Shop, Chuna Gali
Address: 56, Phears Lane, Colootola St, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, Phone: 033 2237 7463
A local vendor right outside Haji Allaudin, Chuna Gali
Address: 56, Phears Lane, Colootola St, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073, Phone: 033 2237 7463
Adam's Kebab, Chuna Gali
Address: Phears Ln, Colootola St, Tiretti, Kolkata, West Bengal 700073
UP-Bihar, New Market
Address: 12, 13, 29, 30, 31, 32,S.S. Hogg Market Gate Misc. IIA (P) 245,, 11, Fenwick Bazar St, New Market Area, Dharmatala, Taltala, Kolkata, West Bengal 700087
Phone: 086976 51989
New Aliah Hotel, Bow Barracks
Address: 31, Bentinck St, Mission Row Extension, Esplanade, Chowringhee North, Bow Barracks, Kolkata, West Bengal 700072, Phone: 090733 31491
Hyderabad
Everything associated with Iftar is available in Hyderabad. Be it the delicious biryanis or the haleem that was once served to the Nizams here, Hyderabad is a city that offers cuisines that are worthy for a king and breaking the Ramadan fast. Here are some of the most popular eateries for Iftar:
Hyderbadi Biryani At Hotel Shadab, Charminar Address: 21-1-140-144, Near High Court, High Court Rd, Madina Circle, Charminar, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad, Telangana 500012 Timings: 5 am – 1 am Cost for two: Rs 850 approx Ramadan Specials At Hotel Nayaab, Charminar Address: Hotel Nayaab, Nayapul Road, Ghansi Bazaar, Hyderabad Timings: 4 am – 1 am Cost for two: Rs 400 approx The Infamous Haleem At Shah Ghouse, Charminar Address: Shah Ghouse, Shah Ali Banda Road, Opposit Green Garden Function Hall, Syed Ali Chabutra, Zohra Colony, Charminar, Hyderabad Timings: 12:30 pm – 12:30 am Cost for two: Rs 700 approx Sweet, Baked Ramadan Delicacies At Pista House, Charminar Address: Pista House, Etebar Chowk Crossroad, Kotla Alijah Road, Moghalpura, Charminar, Hyderabad Timings: 9 am – 11 pm Cost for two: Rs 300 approx Prince Hotel, Mehdipatnam Address: Prince Hotel, Opposite Vasan Eye Care Hospital, X Road, Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad Timing: 12 pm – 3 am Cost for two: Rs 400 approx Kabsa Laham Or Mutton Biryani At 4 Seasons, Tolichowki Address: 4 Seasons, 9-4-77/3/D/4/5/6, Yousuf Tekri Complex, Opposite RTA Office, Tolichowki, Hyderabad Timing: 12:30pm – 11:30pm Cost for two: Rs 900 Chicken Biryani At Shehzade Restaurant, Tolichowki Address: Shehzade Restaurant, Opposite Yousuf Tekri,Near RTA Office, Tolichowki, Hyderabad Timing: 11 am – 4 am Cost for two: Rs 700 approx Mutton Haleem At Pista House, Tolichowki Address: Pista House, Opposite R.T.A Office, Yousuf Tekri Complex, Tolichowki, Hyderabad Timing: 12 pm – 12 am Cost for two: Rs 550 approx
Bengaluru
Bengaluru or silicon Valley’ is a delight for any food lover and during the Ramadan months, it just offers something for everyone. The Iftar gourmet galore during Ramadan is spread all around the city offering a range of lip-smacking dishes.
- Mosque Road and MM Road, Frazer Town
- Koramangala
- Shivajinagar
- Albert Bakery, Frazer Town
- Tilak Nagar
- Rahmat Nagar
- Jhonson Market
- Empire Restaurants Across Bangalore
- Bilal Masjid, Bannerghatta Road
- Johnson Market
Srinagar
Iftar in Srinagar is all about celebrations with friends and family at shrines and places nearby mosques. Some of the most popular and visited places here include streets near the Hazratbal, the revered shrine.
The favorite Iftar meal here is its gastronomic delight halwa-parantha combination. These are not any regular parathas because they are fried deep and served with halwa made with pure ghee. Savory bread and sweets are available at local bakeries too.
7’s Cafe
Contact: Sangarmaal City Center, M a Road, Srinagar 190001
Ahdoos Hotel
Contact- Residency Road
Lucknow
Even today, Lucknow has some areas that serve traditional and sit-down Iftar meals while the others offer more contemporary restaurant themes and ideas.
But Lucknow is also very famous for its Iftar chaats. In particular, the fruit chaats along with dal and potato tikis are famous here. You can dig into desserts like kulfi, nihari, sheermal, paya, phirni, etc. Pakodas are fried out and served with doodh pheni. Areas around Akbari Gate and the Aishbagh Idgah are most frequently visited during Ramadan.
- Idris ki Biryani
- Tunday Kababi, Chowk, Near Patanala
- Hazrat Nizamuddin's phirni, Near Akbari Gate, Chowk; Naaz Cinema Road, AminabadRamzan 2015: 5 Energy-Boosting Foods for Suhoor
- Lucknow's kebabs, Near Akbari Gate, Chowk
- Haji Abdul Shakur, Near Akbari Gate, Chowk
- Wahid ki Biryani, Naaz Cinema Road, Aminabad Market
- Alamgir, Naaz Cinema Road, Aminabad Market
- Prakash Kulfi, Aminabad Market
- Dastarkhwan, Near UP Press Club, Hazratganj
- Open Air Restaurant, Near UP Press Club, Hazratganj
- Shekhawat, Qaiser Bagh Avenue, Oudh Gymkhana Club
