Observing Ramadan this year? Here are some of the best halal and vegan spots for iftar in London

London, England 07 March 2023: The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is nearly here, which means Ramadan is upon us. Falling on either Wednesday 22 or Thursday 23 March, depending on the sightings of the moon by religious officials, billions of Muslims across the world will abstain from food and drink from dawn till dusk. The annual one-month observance focuses on spiritual reflection, prayer, doing good deeds as well as spending time with family and friends.

Once dusk has arrived, it is time for iftar; the evening meal to break the fast, also known in some cultures as roze, futoor and afur. While many will be at home dining with their loved ones, the inevitable moment will arrive where one runs out of new meal ideas or won’t make it home on time.

To prepare for this, Visit London rounds up the top 10 halal, as well as vegan, spots for iftar. From traditional Middle Eastern and Asian dishes to sweet treats and snacks to settle your cravings, you might even catch some inspiration for Eid.

IMAD’S SYRIAN KITCHEN

For most Muslims, the first few days of Ramadan is spent trying to ease themselves in. So, start light with Imad’s Syrian Kitchen in the heart of Soho. Staple Levant dishes such as Baba Ghanoj, hummus and falafel are sure to help anyone get through their first few days of fasting.

COCOCHAN

While we have you in London’s West End, pop over to Bond Street for some Pan Asian cuisine at Cocochan. Providing you with a gastronomical tour through Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indian and Vietnamese cuisines, those breaking their fasts will be spoilt for choice with an array of light dishes such as dim sum, sushi and tempura.

ROTI KING

Sticking with the theme of Asian cuisine, we hop over to Battersea Power Station for Roti King’s Malaysian dishes. Known for its freshly made roti canai, this place is ideal for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans with meals catering for all.

THE HALAL GUYS

Have the cravings already kicked in? We’ve got you covered with The Halal Guys in Earls Court. From gyro rice platters to the classic kebab wrap, you will leave this place ready to take on the next fasting day. And don’t forget to try their famous homemade sauces!

AL KAHF

Tucked away in the alleyways of Whitechapel, you will find a hidden gem - Al Kahf. A Somali restaurant that serves a diverse range of traditional dishes from tender meats with rice and pastas, as well as anjero; typically considered a pancake in the western world.

FILLI CAFE

We find ourselves back in the West End for Filli Cafe. Having opened in Covent Garden just last year, the cafe offers a great space to catch up with family and friends over some chai and light snacks.

ZAMAN RESTAURANT

As one of the finest halal dining options on our list, iftar is sure to be an experience at Zaman restaurant in Kensington. From Europe to the Middle East, to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, this place has it all with their diverse range of options.

JAM DELISH

We’re showing some love for our vegan Muslims at Jam Delish. The independent family-owned Caribbean vegan restaurant in Islington serves all your favourite dishes from the islands. We’re talking goat curry, jerk plantain, saltfish you name it.

WHIPPED LONDON

It wouldn’t be iftar without the sweet treats. Enjoy a slice of the big apple with Whipped London’s New York style baked cheesecakes. Taking 10 hours to prepare by their Michelin trained bakers, their desserts are sure to go down a treat. Available in the lively Brixton Village, you will soon find them in Covent Garden…watch this space!

BUBALA

Looking for more vegan options? Try Soho’s Bubala (or even their Spitalfields location). Taking inspiration from the Middle East, their menu provides bold and flavoursome textures without the worry of it being halal or not!

Laura Citron, CEO at Visit London said: “Ramadan perfectly captures the spirit of London. It is all about reflection, community and charity. One of my favourite things about London is the diversity of the city, our list only captures a snippet of what the city has to offer for iftar. There are hundreds of places people can choose to break their fast in London, so we encourage everyone to go out there and explore what the community has to offer.”

P.S: So, you have your Iftar plans sorted and now looking for some Eid desserts – look no further than The Hummingbird Bakery’s Eid collection. Prepare for a sweet treat with their limited-edition date cakes and cupcakes. Do hurry as you have until 22^nd April to collect or order online from one of their five bakeries in London.