The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is upon us, and if you’re fasting, you may be looking to take advantage of local iftar deals to celebrate its coming.
Here’s a roundup of establishments to help you wish your loved ones a hearty Ramadan Mubarak:
Nazif’s Grill
Nazif’s, one of Houston’s premier Turkish restaurants, is offering a colorful, healthy iftar buffet every day during Ramadan. The line-up features various hot and cold appetizers such as tabbouleh, ezme, falafel and shepherd salad as well as succulent kebabs and vegetarian entrees. Tune into Nazif’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates and special additional offerings.
Do Darya
Fans of Indian and Pakistani fare should head to Do Darya following their daily fast for iftar nibbles like fruit chaat, french fries, spring rolls and chocolate khajoor. After whetting your appetite with those snacks, stay on for the dinner buffet with options such as prawn tempura, beef biryani, mutton korma, dahl, naan and rice pudding. The restaurant is also offering patrons a designated namaz area and wudu facilities.
Tourão Brazilian Churrasqueria
If at the end of a long day of not eating, the only thing you’re craving is meat, more meat and a side of meat, Tourao has you covered. Its deceptively titled “three-course” Ramadan menu begins with a trip to the salad bar, which itself is composed of more than 50 hot and cold items. In round two, diners are given the choice of 11 different types of meat shaved tableside (shrimp, chicken parmesan, lamb chops, leg of lamb, filet mignon, top and bottom sirloin, ribeye, garlic beef, picanha and ribs). Finally, for the sweet coda to this sumptuous feast, tuck into some chocolate mousse or a slice of cheesecake.
Afghan Village
Chef Omar Yousafzi has curated an all-you-can-eat iftar spread that has all you would want after eight-plus hours sans food. Standout options include juicy skewered proteins, fluffy rice studded with nuts and dried fruit and savory botanical stews. Round out your repast with one of Afghan Village’s lovely fresh fruit juices or soothing green tea.
Bar BQ Village Halal Pakistani Restaurant
Despite offering one of the most reasonably-priced iftar buffets in town ($11/head), Bar BQ Village doesn’t skimp on the selection. Get the digestive juices flowing with a soothing glass of sharbat (a sweet, flowery elixir served chilled), and some pakoras and chaat before moving on to richer mains such as chicken tikka, beef korma, chicken or beef bihari, kabobs and biryani. Lastly, settle your stomach with a steaming cup of chai and some sooji halwa (semolina pudding).
Dandanah Cafe
Dandanah Cafe invites you to break fast with a buffet showcasing Egyptian and Mediterranean starters and mains including hummus, lamb stew and macaroni bashamel (pasta baked with ground beef in a bechamel sauce). What’s also on the buffet menu? Pizza. Reservations are suggested.
Chopan Kabob House
As its name suggests, this halal Afghani eatery’s iftar buffet most definitely involves its signature kabobs, but don’t overlook the mast ekhiar, a refreshing yogurt dip made with cucumber and mint leaves, or the lamb shank with brown basmati rice. Check social media for other celebratory Ramadan offerings, e.g., kids’ nights and live music.
Savoy Restaurant
While there may be no such thing as a free lunch, at the Savoy there is free iftar (while supplies last). In addition to this gratis perk, the restaurant is also preparing party trays for Ramadan as well as three single-serve and three family combination dinner deals featuring six different dishes (e.g., beef nihari, karahi goat, zeera rice, etc.), respectively. If you do the math (and we did), that amounts to 324 ways to enjoy iftar.
Tito’s Mediterranean Grill
At Tito’s you can enjoy a triptych of Ramadan specials in the form of three dinner “sets” available Monday through Thursday evenings. The “chicken set” comprises grilled chicken and melokhaiya soup; the “lamb set,” lamb shank and ades soup; and the “bechamel set”, grilled chicken, bechamel and harira soup. Still hungry? All dinner sets also come with rice, stuffed grape leaves, a side salad, stuffed zucchini and dessert.
Rannaghor – Kebab & Biryani House
This Ramadan, think inside the box with Rannaghor’s iftar deal. For just under a dozen bucks, you receive a box of Bengali treats with a beef samosa, a chicken spring roll, piaju (onion fritters), chola, beguni (breaded fried eggplant), dates and other fruits. Call the restaurant in advance to place your order.
Mai Colachi
Party Pakistani-style at the conclusion of the day’s fast at Sugar Land’s Mai Colachi, which is hosting a grand buffet with items like channa chat, pakora, samosas, mutton biryani, beef kabobs, chicken makhani handi, naan and rice. Accompanying these crave-worthy items and included in the price of the buffet are drinks such as fruit punch, shikanjabeen (lemonade made with mint and vinegar) and rooh afza (a staple Ramadan drink made of syrupy squash juice mixed with milk).
Pakwan House
Those seeking to honor iftar at home should consider picking up one of Pakwan’s handy Ramadan to-go packages, which are available in variations to fit every size household. The simplest iftar package ($6) includes channa chat, samosas, pakoras and dates, while the family package ($30) with all of the aforementioned plus four pieces of tandoori chicken, four pieces of malai boti, four kebabs and biryani rice, is perfect for the multigenerational clan.
