How a humble courtyard iftar outshines Dubai's flashiest tents

Breaking bread and building bridges: SMCCU’s heritage iftar keeps winning hearts over hype

- Mazhar Farooqui

One of Dubai's most memorable iftars isn’t at a luxury buffet or served in a grand hotel hall. it’s shared cross-legged on a carpet, beneath the stars, in a historic courtyard where the food is traditional and the conversations are transformative — an experience that lingers long after the last cup of gahwa is poured.

Each evening during Ramadan, as five-star hotels across the city compete with elaborate buffets and dazzling ambiance, a more grounded and authentic experience unfolds in the heart of Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. Inside a 150-year-old wind tower, the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) hosts an iftar that continues to hold its own, and, for many, surpasses the city’s glitzier options.

Long before the call to Maghrib prayer echoes through the alleyways, scores of guests from across the globe settle cross-legged on carpets, shoulder-to-shoulder, in a courtyard packed with people and stories. The seating is simple: traditional cushions, low tables, lanterns, and retro décor that transports visitors back in time. The atmosphere is immersive.