TL;DR: Non-Muslims may eat and drink in public, some venues open on slightly different hours, and knafeh is morally compulsory.
Fasting, Community & Kindness
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar and one of the 5 pillars of Islam. It commemorates the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) first Qur'anic revelation in 610 CE.
Healthy, able Muslims who are fasting eat nothing, drink nothing (even water), and refrain from smoking between the pre-dawn fajr and sunset maghrib prayers. The fast is broken nightly with dates, water, and a communal meal called iftar.
Ramadan 2026
Expected to begin 18 or 19 February 2026. The official start is confirmed by the UAE moon-sighting committee the night before.
Daylight Etiquette for Non-Fasters
Eating & Drinking
- Cafés, restaurants, and beach clubs are open
- Eating/drinking outside is legal, but stepping indoors shows respect
- Kids can snack anywhere, any time
Dress
Shoulders and knees covered in malls, mosques, and souks. Loose cotton beats Lycra.
Greeting
What to Say
"Ramadan Kareem" or "Ramadan Mubarak". Smile first; let a fasting friend offer the handshake.
Opening Hours & Tourist Rhythm
| What | During Ramadan |
|---|---|
| Malls & Theme Parks | Quiet mornings, open until 1-3am |
| Museums & Attractions | Tweaked schedules, check official sites |
| Roads & Taxis | Empty after lunch, jammed around 5pm |
Where to Break Fast
Iftar (Sunset Meal)
When the cannon's echo fades, the city splits into two nocturnal acts. Iftar comes first: some venues offer sprawling buffets with mezze, lamb ouzi, and dessert pyramids. Others serve set multi-course menus or their usual à-la-carte lineup in Ramadan-friendly portions.
Book Early
Sunset seats disappear fast. Reserve ahead for popular spots.
Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal)
A few hours later, kitchens reset for suhoor. Restaurants drop the lights, swap playlists for oud, and serve until 2-3am. The real magnet is the seasonal suhoor tent: a low-lit pavilion where families sink into cushions, friends trade backgammon victories, and shisha coils through the air.
Free Communal Iftars
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Caters 35,000 dinners daily with sectioned areas for families and solo diners. Free and open to all.
Must-Try Ramadan Treats
| Treat | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Luqaimat | Crispy dough balls drenched in date syrup. Best hot. |
| Atayef | Bite-sized pancakes with cheese, cream, or walnuts |
| Knafeh | Molten cheese under crispy buttered vermicelli |
| Jallab | Rosewater & date molasses over ice with pine nuts |
| Qamar al-Deen | Thick, velvety apricot nectar |
FAQs
✓ Yes
- Tourists can eat & drink (indoors preferred)
- Licensed venues serve alcohol as usual
- Beaches stay open for swimming & sunbathing
✗ Avoid
- Eating/drinking openly in front of fasting people
- Public drunkenness (that rule never sleeps)
- Revealing clothing in public spaces
Final Word
Ramadan doesn't close the UAE; it changes the rhythm. Sync your day to the sunset cannon, accept a free mosque meal, and bite into a late-night knafeh. You'll fly home fuller, in every sense, than you arrived.
