Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi will host thousands of diners on the water’s edge during the holy month.
Few concepts are as sacred in Middle Eastern culture as the majlis and, in the capital, it’s being reimagined for Ramadan by Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi. Entitled Majlis by the Sea, this modern-day interpretation of what is traditionally defined as a place to exchange ideas and nurture connections will be the heart of the property’s Ramadan celebrations.
We’re told that, this time around, thousands of diners – up to 1,400 guests – will be welcomed at a unique location on the water’s edge in what promises to be Abu Dhabi’s most elevated Ramadan tent — an elegant new design, an expansive culinary journey, and comprehensive food waste management initiatives are in the works. Particularly favoured by bona fide foodies, the beloved tent will bring together a galaxy of culinary stars under one roof. The culinary journey will showcase exclusive pop-ups by Michelin-starred Talea by Antonio Guida and Hakkasan. Guests can also break their fast authentic Indian cuisine from Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi and contemporary Japanese Warayaki from the newly launched Strawfire.
The iftar experience, priced at AED 355 per person, will offer a refined feast from sunset to 8:30pm, while the suhoor service will extend from 10pm to 2am, featuring both à la carte options with a minimum spend of AED 200 and elaborate set menus for groups starting from AED 360. An immersive experience, The Majlis by the Sea features high arches, soft ambient lighting, and a neutral colour palette that exudes warmth and refinement. Furthermore, drawing inspiration from its predecessor, traditional seating is thoughtfully arranged to foster connections, extending to an open-air terrace where guests can enjoy striking views of the sea and city skyline. This seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces will allow guests to enjoy their Ramadan meals in an environment that feels both intimate and expansive.
With leftovers spiking during the holy month, Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi will continue its partnership with ReLoop to divert excess food waste from the hotel’s kitchens to a composting facility for use amongst local farms. Alongside this ongoing initiative, untouched food from The Majlis by the Sea will be redistributed by food waste initiative ne’ma for the first time in 2025. Both initiatives will ensure that the abundance of Ramadan reaches all members of the surrounding community, as Mandarin Oriental remains committed to setting a new standard in food waste reduction for luxury hospitality.
As for the individual restaurant offerings? Hakkasan will present a Michelin-starred Cantonese feast at AED 358 per person, while Talea by Antonio Guida will serve an Italian family-style iftar at AED 400 per person. Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi, meanwhile, will serve traditional Indian cuisine at AED 280 per person. Elsewhere, Strawfire by Ross Shonhan will create Japanese fusion experiences for iftar at AED 350 per person. Going beyond these culinary experiences will be Kids Palace, where the whole family will be welcomed for special movie nights, games, Ramadan crafts and more. To make a reservation, call +971 2 690 9000 or send an email to [email protected].
DSCVR: Majlis by the Sea. Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, West Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi. @mo_emiratespalace
