Makkah, Aug 6(Arab News): Restaurants and cafes, during the busy month of Ramadan, are hoping to take advantage of the growing trend among Saudi families to have their iftar (breaking of the fast) and suhoor (starting of the fast) meals in restaurants.
Several eateries in Makkah have made extensive arrangements to receive as many customers as possible during the holy month.
They are keen to offer the best possible services at reasonable prices. Speaking to Arab News, many citizens said dishes at reasonable prices and the atmosphere are the major factors that attract them to these restaurants and cafes.
Hamza Burhan said Ramadan was special and this was reflected mainly in the iftar and suhoor parties outside his residential compound. “My family and I prefer to eat out. We enjoy the sweet Ramadan environment there,” he said.
Burhan noted that almost all restaurants and cafes were decorated to reflect the spirit of the holy month and have set up Ramadan tents with special décor.
“This attracts many families there to break their fast. It is also a major temptation for children to observe fasting if they know that they are eating their iftar or suhoor meals at a restaurant,” he said.
Lutfi Hussein, another citizen, said that it is a thrilling experience for him to go out to eat such meals.
“It is a significant factor as far as one who observes fasting is concerned. One who goes home just before iftar would be in a tense mood unlike another who is going out to a restaurant in a more relaxed frame of mind,” he said.
According to Hussein, those who go to have their iftar or suhoor meals at restaurants or cafes can also enjoy the company of other families.
Hanadi Saeed, a housewife, said it is very rare that she and her family eat at home.
“Most often we take iftar and suhoor meals together with our parents at restaurants and cafes. The main reason is that all the dishes suited to the holy month are available there. We test out these restaurants well before Ramadan to find about their menus for the holy month as well as their prices,” she said.
According to Saeed, there has been an agreement among members of her family to invite guests to have iftar and suhoor meals at these restaurants so that they can avoid the difficulties of cooking at home.
Dr. Rajab Barisali, consultant psychologist at Hera General Hospital, is of the view that having such meals outside the home is a positive thing and not at all negative.
“This brings about a change in our routine life and subsequently brings forth feelings of happiness to the entire family. This will also have a positive impact on our children as they experience both the benefits of observing fasting and recreation as well,” he said.
Tamer Omran, director of The Globe restaurant, said most families prefer to have their meals in the different atmosphere that exist at restaurants and cafes.
“Therefore, our management decided to put into action the idea of enabling our guests to take a trip inside the restaurant. Hence we have set up different zones. We have created a small village, which includes European and American sections in addition to Hijazi and Najdi zones with all having their distinctive features,” he said, adding that the restaurant offers iftar and suhoor buffet meals at reasonable prices ranging from SR43 to SR110.
Khaled Yamuq, director of the department for contacts and work improvement at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Makkah, said the hotel is offering different varieties of Ramadan dishes catering to the various tastes of customers from around the world.
“This has been made possible by ensuring the presence of a chain of international restaurants that offer excellent cuisines under the supervision of a number of leading chefs. The hotel’s restaurants have a menu of well known dishes from more than 15 major countries in the world,” he said, adding that the main banquet hall of the hotel has the capacity to accommodate more than 1,000 guests.