DUBAI : IFTAR AT VILLA ROTANA HOTEL

After attending 3 previews of Iftar buffet offerings from various premier hotels in Dubai in less than a month, during this year’s holy season of Ramadan, and considering there’s only few days left before Eid, I thought I had enough. Fortunately, I gave a nod to the invitation sent by Moka Cafe at Villa Rotana through our fellow UAE-based blogger and friend, Carla of www.myyellowbells.blogspot.com.  It was absolutely different gastronomic experience!

LOCATION

Conveniently located at Business Bay area, along Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, Moka Cafe at Villa Rotana Hotel is one of the countless dining places here in UAE that offers Iftar and Suhoor at affordable and reasonable rates.

I love the “starry, starry night”-set design of Moka Cafe at Villa Rotana.

AMBIANCE

Simple yet elegant. Modern infused with traditional. Moka Cafe was decorated with warm, blue lights and cut-out stars amidst the Victorian-like windows and panels, rendering the mood of dining underneath a constellation! It’s a beautiful dining place to gather friends and families, keeping the Ramadan spirit and tradition alive.

Speaking of friends, our fellow-blogger, Sheila of www.abandme.com, brought her, GaladrielTheBear to meet my very own, GeloTheBear for the first time. The two have been charming Instagram followers; gladly they’ve finally met over friendly Iftar dinner-date in Villa Rotana!

@gelothebear x @galadrielthebear at @villarotana (follow them on Instagram!)

VARIETY 

Over our casual and friendly conversation during dinner, Lakshmi from Villa Rotana mentioned that the Iftar menu particularly for the entrees, varies from day to day. I believe it’s a smart and logical approach to convert ordinary diners to regular patrons. People who break their fast during Iftar, and those in-house-guests of the hotel who want to experience Iftar at Moka Cafe will surely enjoy different courses nightly and will never be bored with repetitive dishes. Expectedly, some of the staples and classic starters remain present on the spread. From cold and hot mezze, to main dishes and dessert choices, they offer a good variety of local or traditional Arabic cuisine with a few favourite international dishes.

Meet my starter plate.  Can’t go wrong with hummus and babaganoush!

Pasta with pink sauce, Seafood thermidore, Beef stroganoff, Sautéed vegetables.

Everything on that plate was delicious! I bet, even kids will love the creamy sauce of Seafood thermidore and the tender beef strips in Beef stroganoff. Highly recommended for you to try!

AFFORDABILITY

Rates of Iftar buffet and Suhoor at Villa Rotana are highly competitive with other hotel-restaurants in Dubai, in fact even more affordable and reasonable. Originally priced at 139 AED per person for Iftar buffet, inclusive of fresh fruit drinks and beverages, they now reduced it to half of its cost! Super good deal if you ask me. Know more about their rates and how to reserve table for Iftar and Eid celebrations via their website through www.rotanatimes.com.

And then, the dessert spread!!!

From freshly cut and sliced tropical fruits, to local desserts, and that Levantine cheese pastry soaked in sweet sugar-based syrup called, Kunafah, the dessert spread of Moka Cafe doesn’t disappoint!

Kunafah! Kunafah! Kunafah! hehehe!

My dessert plate! Yum, yum, yum!

Overall, I found Iftar buffet from Moka Cafe at Villa Rotana as one of the must-try-dining experiences in Dubai. Great-tasting food, pleasant ambiance, and service par excellence!

Special thanks to Lakshmi of Villa Rotana for the invitation!

The bears who are currently charming Instagram buddies enjoyed too!

And of course, the night was made extra-special in the presence of my blogger-friends (from left to right), Sheila of www.abandme.com, Carla of www.myyellowbells.blogspot.com, and Kenneth of www.kennethsurat.com

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Timings for Iftar is from sunset to 11:00 pm and Suhoor is from 1:00 am to 4:00 am | For more details and reservations, call +971 4 321 6111 | email : villa.hotel@rotana.com

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