Giornotte Iftar at the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi

There are dining experiences in which all the elements come together to create an enduring memory, one that will be topic of conversation even for years ahead – and such is iftar at the Ritz-Carlton.

The location is new Abu Dhabi’s dream – directly across from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and on the waterfront of the Grand Canal.

And the premises are palatial, one of the world’s top-luxury hotels.

Your iftar is hosted at Giornotte restaurant, with both an extensive interior and an exterior terrace giving onto the hotel gardens and swimming pool, and the sea beyond.

As you enter the dining hall, you realize the immense space that has been dedicated to celebrating the end of the daily fast; and I cannot imagine just how special the Eid celebrations will be!

From the ornately decorated entrance, there are numerous delightful corners and multiple buffets.

And the Ritz-Carlton has perhaps best captured the variety of Abu Dhabi’s nationalities, in that the buffet spreads across international cuisines like no other I have experienced.

From the most traditional Emirati cuisine, presented at the highest level of refinement, including a platter of baby camel…

… as well as a live cooking station dedicated to beloved Emirati sweets!

To the other end of the global spectrum, where you find delectable French cheese…

…an entire station presenting Turkish delights of all flavors and textures…

…to yet another two platters of lamb – one the traditional Ouzi, and the other a Shami-style mensaf!

And I haven’t even covered a tenth of the buffet on offer!

Outside, a live grill is at work…

…and inside a carving station serves an entire leg of veal.

The immensity of the Ritz-Carlton iftar is mind-boggling, but keep in mind that they are feeding three hundred people, and so it is a happening place, filled with laughter and happy times together.

A talented musician provides a background of entertainment, but her music is so amazing and professional that a crowd gathers to admire her performance – @experimental_duo heralds from Armenia and are conservatory-level musicians.

It is impossible to give credit to how brilliantly the iftar was organized to bring together all elements in a masterful combination, in such an expert fashion that I believe all guests said: “Wow!” at least ten times during the evening!

And I haven’t even mentioned the section for Indian delicacies…

nor the North-African one!

And the desserts!

Imagine the size of a regular buffet at any other venue, the entire buffet… that would be just the dessert section at Giornotte’s iftar!

And all this within a serene and relaxed ambiance – a dignified and seamless dining experience, perfectly delivered, in exquisite surroundings.

As we prepare for Eid celebrations, I predict that the Ritz-Carlton will be delivering festivities of epic proportions, which will be remembered for years ahead by those fortunate enough to be in Abu Dhabi to experience it in person.

Overall, the iftar buffet presented at Giornotte restaurant was beyond impressive, in all elements, and especially the variety of all cuisines represented, and how such a large-scale operation retained a feeling of comfort and individual refinement for each guest – truly one of the world’s best.