Iftar out is one of Ramadan's loveliest customs: the whole family together, and nobody standing in the kitchen since the afternoon. But Ramadan iftar in Saudi Arabia at a restaurant is not like an ordinary dinner, because everyone arrives within the same half hour, everyone is hungry and thirsty, and the food has to be in front of you at the call to prayer, not a quarter of an hour later. So we have put together a practical checklist to help you choose a suitable restaurant for your family, whichever restaurant it is.
Ramadan iftar out in Saudi Arabia: what is different?
- One rush at one moment: on normal days people come over several hours, but in Ramadan most bookings are just before maghrib.
- Pressure on the kitchen: every table wants its food at the same minute.
- The road: streets before iftar are usually busy, and a delay matters here.
- Fasting: someone who has fasted does not want to wait, nor to start with heavy food.
The checklist: 10 questions before you choose
1. Book early, and confirmed
Book well in advance, especially for a large group or at the weekend. Most importantly, make sure the booking is actually confirmed, by message or call, not just a request that was sent.
2. When will the food be on the table?
Ask the restaurant plainly: are dates, water and soup set out before the call to prayer? Can you order in advance so the food is ready at maghrib? This is the most important question on the whole list.
3. Maghrib time and the road
Maghrib time changes every day and differs from city to city, so check your city's time that day, leave early and think about parking. Arriving a quarter of an hour before the call to prayer keeps everyone calm.
4. Family seating and privacy
Many restaurants in Saudi Arabia have family seating, so ask about it if it matters to you. Ask for a quiet table with enough room for the children, and if you need a high chair, say so when you book.
5. Prayer
Ask: is there a prayer space at the restaurant or a mosque nearby? Many people break their fast with dates and water, pray maghrib and come back to eat, so keep that in mind. And if you want to make taraweeh, count the time.
6. Does the menu suit someone fasting?
Look for a restaurant with a hot soup and light choices, not only heavy food, and check that water and drinks arrive quickly.
7. Buffet or from the menu?
| Buffet | From the menu | |
|---|---|---|
| Advantage | Everything ready at the call to prayer | You choose what your family likes |
| Drawback | It can get crowded around the food | You need to order ahead so you do not wait |
| Suits | Large groups and mixed tastes | A small family that knows what it wants |
8. Are the prices clear from the start?
Ask before booking about the price of the buffet or the menu, children's prices if any, and any service charge. Clarity at the start is better than surprises at the bill.
9. Children and elderly guests
Are there stairs? Is the place noisy? Is the table away from the toilets and walkways? Small details, but they matter for grandparents and children.
10. Outdoor seating and the weather
If the restaurant has outdoor seating, ask about it, and keep in mind that February nights can be a little cold depending on your city, so bring a jacket for the children. If someone in the family is bothered by smoking, ask where the seating is in relation to it.
Before booking and on the day
| Before booking | On the day of iftar |
|---|---|
| Fix the number and ages | Check maghrib time in your city |
| Ask about food at the call to prayer | Leave early and allow for parking |
| Ask about family seating and prayer | Keep the restaurant's number with you |
| Know the prices from the start | Start with dates, water and soup, gently |
Quick questions
How far ahead should I book? There is no fixed number, but the earlier the better, especially for large groups and at the weekend.
When should I arrive? About a quarter of an hour before the call to prayer, so you can sit, order and have your dates and water calmly.
Is iftar out suitable for children? Of course, but choose a restaurant with space and family seating, and ask about simple dishes that suit them, such as grills and rice.
And if you would rather stay home?
A comfortable alternative: have iftar delivered at a time you set before maghrib. Leave enough margin for the road, keep your phone by you for the driver, and set the table before the food arrives.
Rokn Warda in Al Khobar
If you are in Al Khobar or the Eastern Province and want an Egyptian iftar, Rokn Warda restaurant is on Al Yarmouk Street in the Al Olaya district of Al Khobar, with a spacious family dining room and outdoor seating by the fountain, and an Egyptian menu: lentil soup, orzo soup, the salad buffet, charcoal grills, casseroles and mahshi. You can:
- Book a table from the booking page, noting the occasion or a high chair in the notes.
- Order from the menu, choosing "at a time I choose" so the food reaches you before maghrib in Al Khobar or Dammam.
- Send a gathering or company iftar request from the events page.
Our Ramadan hours and iftar dishes will be announced before the month on the site and WhatsApp, and you are welcome to ask us any question from the list above. It is all on the Ramadan with Rokn Warda page. To choose the dishes, read the best Egyptian dishes for Ramadan iftar, and for a big gathering Egyptian food for big Ramadan gatherings.
