Ramadan Kareem! Iftar Buffets and Specials Around Beijing
We are in the midst of Ramadan, and a big part of this holy month for Muslims in Beijing and around the world is the Iftar meal. Taking place after sundown, after the fast is broken with dates – hence why dates make a regular appearance in many of the meals on this list, as well as the lead image of this story – and light snacks before an evening prayer the tradition brings friends and family together for feasting after each day of fasting.
Here in Beijing, this is also a time when restaurants across town prepare special meals and buffets for the entire month of Ramadan. We’ve compiled a list of a few favorites and specials for those looking to mix it up for their Iftar dinner.
Turkish Feast
Turkish Feast is bringing back their Iftar set menu, available throughout March and April during Ramadan. For RMB 168/person, guests can enjoy fresh dates, a soup of the day, fresh garden salad, a rotating main course (see above for options), homemade dessert, plus choice of soft drink.
Turkish Feast (JinShang branch)
115, 1/F, JinShang Yuan, 20 Xinyuan Xili
朝阳区新东路金商愿1层115号
Contact: 010 6468 8321
Turkish Feast (Huamao branch)
1/F, Bldg 15, Huamao Zhongxin North Zone, 89 Jianguo Lu
朝阳区建国路89号华贸中心北区15号楼1层
Contact: 159 1105 9050
Al Safir
Perhaps the most popular of all the annual Iftar buffets in the capital, people keep coming back in droves to Al Safir's iteration of the nightly feast. Starting at 6.18pm every night until Apr 12, the buffet is priced at RMB 140/person and features 20 different salads, six main dishes, and dessert.
Al Safir Arabian Restaurant
6-12, Near Yangxin Ganxian Food Street, 35 Xiaoyun Lu Courtyard
朝阳区远洋新干线美食街35号6-12铺
Contact: 137 1783 3385
La Medina
All through March, Tunisian restaurant La Medina will be hosting their Iftar buffet from 6.30-8.30pm every night.
La Medina Restaurant
18 Liangmahe Nanlu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区亮马河南路18号
Contact: 010 8532 4523; 185 1992 7129
Khan Baba
Khan Baba's Sanlitun branch is hosting their Iftar buffet every night from 6.20-9pm. The price is RMB 98 for adults and RMB 50 for children under age 12.
Khan Baba Restaurant (Sanlitun branch)
2511, 5/F, Bldg 2 Sanlitun SOHO, 8 Gongti Beilu
朝阳区工人体育场北路8号院三里屯SOHO 2号楼5层2511号
Contact: 010 8527 0411; 157 1144 0263
Dastaan
Dastaan has three Iftar options this year. Along with a buffet every Saturday throughout Ramadan, the restaurant is offering a set meal for takeaway – complete with drink, salad, soup, main course, and dessert – as well as Haleem, a special lamb curry dish. See the posters below for details on the Iftar takeaway and Haleem specials.
Dastaan Indian Restaurant
3/F, Bldg 5 Sanlitun SOHO, 8 Gongti Beilu
朝阳区工人体育场北路8号三里屯SOHO 5号商场3层
Contact: 150 0135 8663
Little Lahore Courtyard
Little Lahore’s newest branch, Little Lahore Courtyard in Dongzhimen, is doing a special Iftar buffet every Friday throughout Ramadan. Along with a whole slew of Pakistani-style curries and snacks, they’ll also have two live stations: one for Chana Chaat and another for Doodh Patti (Lahori-style milk tea).
Courtyard by Little Lahore
47 Dongzhimenwai Outer Alley, Dongcheng District
东城区东直门外小街47号
Contact: 136 9119 6167
Punjabi
Punjabi is hosting an Iftar & Dinner buffet every Friday and Saturday, 6-9.30pm. If you can’t make it those days, you can also order special dishes from the menu any day of the week and get complimentary drinks and dates.
Punjabi Restaurant
1-30 Lucky Street, Chaoyang Gongyuan Xilu
朝阳区朝阳公园西路 好运街1-30号
Contact: 132 6915 8965
READ: 24 for '24: Beijing's Only Azerbaijani Restaurant – Maiden Tower
Images: Pixabay, the Beijingers, courtesy of the organizers