How do we survive Ramadam in Dubai next week.?

Question

I've read a few conflicting things on how Ramadam will affect us in Dubai next week on the food and drink side.

Are we not allowed to eat or drink anything during the day?

Not even water?

What's the score with breakfast? I've just seen we can't eat anything untill around 7pm at night which seems very difficult or can we eat breakfast and then nothing until 7pm?

What happens to small children? Are they not allowed to drink in the baking hot sun when out and about?
I see it's a very religeous thing but i can't see how it works in pratice for non muslims, do we just starve all day long?

How does it affect us eating out and about as well as in the hotel, in the Souks for example?

I'm starting to think we're made a huge and expensive mistake by going to Dubai at this time.

We are there from wednesday for 8 days at a top hotel with it's own restaurants, i think we have 4 or 5 to chose from.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Unless you are muslim yourself you won't be expected to take part in Ramadan...

See this extract from a website about Dubai:

You should also consider whether you would like to visit during the Muslim holy month of Ramadam. During Ramadan (the exact dates move forward by approximately 11 days each year), Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. Visitors are requested not to eat, drink or smoke in public places during this time. Most restaurants are closed during the day, although you will generally be served food in your hotel, either in your room or in a secluded area of the hotel. In general, the sale of alcohol is prohibited during Ramadan, however alcohol is served in some emirates after sunset.

Despite these restrictions, there are certain advantages in visiting the UAE during at this time. You may be able to obtain discount rates on some hotels and once the daily fast is broken (by the iftar meal after sunset) the streets are a hive of activity which lends a carnival atmosphere to the towns.

Answer 2

Hi

Okay, please only pay attention to this answer. I am a Chef working in Jumeirah Beach Hotel. I start my day at 08.30 and work until 22.00. During these hours I serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. All the restaurants serve food, not alcohol. In some places, the restaurant may be curtained off to the public to avoid offending the locals, but there will definitely be food.

Please do not worry, Dubai is an amazing place and you will have a great time.

The only time that you SHOULD NOT eat, drink etc is if you are at the public beach or walking down the street, or in a mall. Now shops in malls are open until approx 23.00 every day so you would not even need to go during the day if you didn't want to.

Staying in the Royal Mirage, you will probably just want to stay there all day using the pools and private hotel beach, so you will have access to whatever restaurants that the hotel has.

Hope this will put your mind at rest.............

Answer 3

Being residing in the same country and a non-muslim let me tell you, it is right that you can not eat, drink (water or what so ever) smoke etc in the public place, however you can do all these in private; confine yourself to a room/flat etc and no body will stop you eating or drinking, and the restauratns or all other catering services will be closed during the fasting hours but in the evening all the hotels will be open (after breaking of fast), hopes this helps you.
Kids are allowed to eat and drink during fasting hours.

Answer 4

Essentiallly, you are not allowed to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. However, Dubai is more relaxed than than most other Middle Eastern countries. It's unlikely that you will get served food and drink in public during daylight. However, your hotel is likely to make allowances if you are not Muslim. When you do eat and drink, just do so discreetly and privately; do not eat and drink in public.

Answer 5

This is very goodt news. I always choose Dubai for spending my vacations. Every year, I am very excited for visiting in Dubai. Prior visiting Dubai, I collect whole information about the events in Dubai from CHERRYPICK DUBAI which is very helpful in making my tour more memorable and joyful.

Answer 6

You can eat all of your meals in the hotel as normal. Eating in public is not allowed. Children who are below the age of puberty are exempt from the restrictions. Thee are only 4 days left of Ramadan when you arrive, then it is Eid. Holiday time. Your kids will enjoy it Have Fun!

Answer 7

whats your probleme ? from nothing you make a big issue , just enjoy visiting dubai , you are not oblige to eat in the street , actualy ,if you are well educated its not a good behaviour to do so ,its a queen education .i dont respect persones like you , whow made jugement before knowing the reality , you seem to be asking questions but i can see behind it the blame you are taking on this place and on all muslime country , just enjoy your f holiday and let things as you find them ,your citizen are staying in dubai since years and i never heard them complaining ,so be educated in the street with a full stomach and take a lot of pictures,,,

Answer 8

Iam amuslim my self you can stop eating and drinking for the whole day .But if you can't you could eat at your room without being seeing by other people

Answer 9

it's going to be over in a week, but you cant eat and drink, but in day time, not allowed in the public places, but after sunset you are quite free to show up the burgers in your hand.

Answer 10

i'm in kuwait from the u.s. and ramadan is almost over. you cannot drink, eat or smoke even chew gum outside if a cop catches you they will take you to jail until its over. i think you did make a mistake to go during ramadan, i was there like 3 weeks ago and it was awesome i stayed in the executive suite in the holiday inn where are you staying?