Chef Mama's Moroccan Iftar at Medley Restaurant in Pullman Dubai DeiraCity Centre

Ramadan is drawing near and is expected to begin in barely a couple of weeks from now. Although we have Filipino Muslim brothers back home, I never really knew anything about Ramadan, except for them having to fast and pray for the whole month. And I, being a Catholic and a first-timer in the UAE, am very much excited to finally get to witness and have a first-hand experience of Ramadan.

I only knew of Ramadan as having to fast for hours until sundown, when everyone then gets to go to prayer, break their fast, and eat. It was only until I got an invite for a pre-Ramadan Iftar (Arabic term for breakfast; the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset) that I knew that breaking the fast would also mean having a feast, an extravagant feast I must add, and that almost all hotels and restaurants here offer sumptuous and lavish feasts for Iftar.

With Chef Mama, the lady behind Medley's sumptuous Moroccan Iftar

Cherry and I were honored to grace Medley Restaurant's special Moroccan Ramadan Iftar by Chef Mama at Pullman Dubai Deira City Center a couple of weeks back. We were already captivated by the mouth-watering dishes that were beautifully presented as we were ushered to our seats.

Like any traditional Arabic buffet, spreads of Arabic salads, greens, cheese, hot and cold mezze, and appetizers are present.

Nuts, dried fruits, and dates also fill each corner of the buffet sections.

There's an extensive choice of mains from curries, mixed grills, and lamb ouzi to hammour and prawn, and vegetarian couscous.

I had a taste of these gorgeous dates plus some appetizers and mains. The tangy and cheesy stuffed tomato and the savory pastry, which was more like a chicken pie, stood out in my appetizers plate. The shrimps and mixed grill were undebiably delicious, but I must say that the lamb ouzi won my heart and my tummy! Haha! :p

Aside from the starters and mains, there's also a bakery section where you can enjoy an assortment of oven-fresh bread and pizza.

There were a lot more dishes served in the Iftar. Everything was impressively styled making each such an eye candy! Just like the desserts which were divided into two sections.

The first one is where a selection of international desserts and fresh fruits are situated. It is also where the beverages are stationed.

The second one is the Arabic dessert spread. Situated in a section of the restaurant where there's an empty room filled with elegantly-styled Arabic desserts, this, for me, is the star of the Iftar. The strawberries hanging from an artificial tree next to the chocolate fountain, the Arabic lanterns, plus the hanging lights definitely made this section a sight to behold!

I first got to try baklava during our dhow cruise and I've come to love it since then, with its sweet layers of filo filled with chopped nuts held together with honey, and I was so glad that Medley's version didn't disappoint.

Just right beside the Arabic desserts section is a lovely setting where guests can stay for some shisha or some nuts and tea.

It is also where two talented ladies offer free mehndi, which of course we didn't miss. Cherry and I totally felt the Arabic vibe with our lovely henna tattoos! :D

We definitely had a great night. I, for one, surely enjoyed my first Iftar experience! So if you're looking for a place for your nightly Iftar this Ramadan, make sure to include Medley Restaurant in Pullaman Deira City Center in your list and enjoy a wide variety of pan-Arabic dishes with a Moroccan twist!

Discount Alert!!!

Book before the 5th of June and pay only AED 115.00/person instead of AED 155.00.

Children 6-12 years old get to indulge for only AED 70.00 and 6 years and below are complimentary!
Click HERE to book now!

For details about the Iftar menu, click HERE.

For updates about Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre, you can visit and like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PullmanDubaiDCC, or follow them on Instagram: @pullmandubaidcc or Twitter: @PullmanDCCDubai. You can also visit their website at http://pullman-dubai-deiracitycentre.com/en.

MEDLEY, Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre
Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre
P.O. Box 61871, Deira, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel : +971 (4) 294 1222 Fax : +971 (4) 295 4444
Nearest Metro Station: Deira City Centre (Red Line)

We were guests at the Moroccan Iftar at Medley and our meal was complimentary, but as always, this post is sincerely written and all views and opinions are my own.