Eateries are keeping special hours for iftar and suhoor, or expanded menus, Ramadan specials and buffets.
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Between Feb. 28 and March 30, many Ottawa restaurants are catering to customers observing Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, prayer, and community for Muslims. Some eateries are staying open later for iftar, the meal eaten after sunset during which Muslims break their daily fast. Others will be open for suhoor, the pre-fast meal eaten before sunrise. Also, some restaurants will serve buffets, special menus or offer Ramadan takeout options.
Here are some of the choices for Ramadan dining.
Agha Restaurant Ottawa
1 Roydon Pl., 613-617-8333 aghaottawa.carrd.co
This Turkish restaurant will serve an iftar buffet each night during Ramadan, priced at $49.99 for adults and $29.99 for children six to 12.
Cheese and Olives Restaurant
1183 Hunt Club Rd., Unit 108, 613-521-6666, cheeseandolives.ca
This Mediterranean restaurant, which opened last fall and usually serves breakfasts and lunches from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m., will serve an Iftar buffet, charging $40 for adults and $20 for children from the ages of two to 10. Reservations are required. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during Ramadan, it will be open for suhoor from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Chocolats Favoris Kanata
449 Hazeldean Rd unit e-1, Kanata Ave. instagram.com/chocolatsfavoris_kanata
This dessert shop will be open till 1 a.m. daily during Ramadan. “Stop by for a sweet after Iftar,” says an Instagram post.
Dhruvees Restaurant
18 Beechwood Ave., unit 101, dhruvees.com
The Vanier restaurant will serve Sri Lankan and coastal Indian food for $44 and $54 per person. Featured dishes include Sri Lankan black beef curry, Sri Lankan crab and more.
Evening Update
Karahi Point
570 Kanata Ave, karahipoint.com
This restaurant in Kanata is hosting a Flavours of Pakistan Iftar Buffet on Sunday, March 2, at 4 p.m. The event supports Sakeenah Canada, a local organization providing shelter and resources for women in need. Guests can expect a traditional iftar spread featuring a variety of Pakistani dishes.
Khokha Eatery
605 Longfields Dr., Unit 13, khokhaeatery.com/
This Pakistani fusion restaurant in Barrhaven will offer two iftar packages, each priced at $20. One will feature chicken biryani while the other will include chicken pasta.
New Desi Zaiqa Restaurant
2121 Carling Ave., 613-981-1166, instagram.com/newdesizaiqarestaurant
Starting March 1, New Desi Zaiqa in Carlingwood Shopping Centre will serve an iftar buffet with more than 20 items including chicken karahi, mutton korma, chicken biryani, tandoori chicken, gulab jamun and more. The meal will be priced at $34.99 for adults and $17.99 for children 6 to 11. Prayer space will be available.
Pak India Restaurant
4025 Innes Rd., pakindiarestaurant.com
As in past years, this Pakistani restaurant in Orléans will serve an iftar buffet.
Phynicia Restaurant
605 Longfields Dr., phynicia.ca
This Lebanese eatery in Barrhaven will be open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and then for sukhoor from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Pita Bell Kabab
1696 Carling Ave., pitabellkabab.com
At this popular Turkish restaurant, reservations — best made several days ahead — are required for iftar meals and it will not be accepting walk-in customers.
River Lounge
2259 Prince Of Wales Dr., theriverlounge.com
This eatery inside the Ramada Hotel will hold a fundraising iftar event on March 15, raising money for relief in Gaza. Tickets are $50, here.
Royal Rooster Shawarma
3987 Riverside Dr., royalroostershawarma.ca
This Syrian restaurant has a special Ramadan menu and is open daily until midnight.
SemSem
2430 Bank St., semsem.ca
For Ramadan, this Middle Eastern bakery and restaurant in South Keys announced that it will serve brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday, with suhoor on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Shinwari BBQ & Pizza
34 Highbury Park Dr., Unit 3, alraheem.ca
Shinwari BBQ & Pizza in Nepean has Ramadan specials ranging from a $32.99 meal with a large pizza, samosas, and drinks to a $84.99 feast with kebabs, tandoori, naan, rice, salad, samosas, and a large pizza. Samosas are available by the dozen for $20.99, and combo deals include up to six cans of soda.
Sultan Ahmet Turkish Cuisine Ottawa
575 Bank St., sultanahmet.ca
The Turkish restaurant at the north end of the Glebe is planning to have a Ramadan buffet.
Tirkweka
473 Hazeldean Rd., Unit 9, 613-836-1777, tirweka.com
This Kanata restaurant is serving iftar meals throughout Ramadan with traditional dishes and appetizers, while weekends feature a late-night suhoor menu. Reservations are available.
3Cents Café
3-1940 Bank St., 3cents2.com
Originally “3cents2” on Bank Street, this Yemeni-Canadian coffee shop serves traditional Yemeni pan bread, sandwiches, crepes, chai Arabi, karak, coffee, tea, ice cream, foul (black beans), and liver. The café is open Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to midnight, Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
YRS: Golden Spoon Restaurant
2285C St. Laurent Blvd., Unit-C11, goldenspoonrestaurants.ca
The restaurant is offering South Asian meals to go that serve up to five people for $45 to $60, as well as snacks and suhoor platters.
Do you know of other restaurants in the Ottawa area with extended or updated hours for Ramadan? Let us know in the comments below or by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Ramadan restaurant hours” so we can update our list.
