What makes Chennai’s iftar snack culture distinctive is its inclusivity. Residents from diverse backgrounds often queue up alongside those observing the fast, eager to sample the seasonal specialties. Historically, iftar offerings were simple and deeply local, sold in modest setups near mosques — bajji, masal vada, chicken 65, sharbat and nombu kanji prepared in small batches. Over the past decade, however, the culture has transformed into a full-fledged culinary showcase. Restaurants now curate elaborate Ramzan menus, introduce rotating iftar spreads, and even bring in specialist cooks from across the country to recreate regional delicacies.
Abid’s
The snack counter at Abid’s, Spurtank Road turns into a seasonal institution every Ramzan, eagerly awaited by its loyal patrons. Proprietor Abid Zahir curates a special line-up of North Malabar delights, including chicken chatti pathiri, chemeen undaputtu (prawn balls), kaipola (steamed banana cake) and the traditional sweet unnakai. For seafood lovers, the spread extends to calamari fritters, fish and chips, and crumb-fried prawns.
The haleem counter at Abid’s
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Special Arrangement
Among this year’s new launches are bun kebab, shawarma and the Turkish adana roll, adding a West Asian touch to the menu. Abid’s continues to draw crowds for its staples — fried chicken, samosas, cutlets, rolls and kebabs — along with hearty portions of mutton haleem and nombu kanji.
To order iftar snacks, call 9841284703.
Shiraz Art Cafe
At Shiraz Art Cafe, Ramzan takes on a Persian flavour with a specially curated iftar box featuring the home-style creations of home chef Nasrin Karimi. Priced at ₹599, the takeaway box includes rose sharbat, mutton kobideh kebab, mutton gilla biryani, mint dip, chicken chello kebab, brinjal chutney, onion raita and a fruit truffle for dessert.
Nazrin offers a balanced spread of grills, rice and refreshing sides.
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Special Arrangement
Orders must be pre-booked by 9am, with pick-up scheduled at 4.30pm from Nungambakkam. For bookings, call 9840572126.
Zaara Catering
Well-known wedding caterer Syed Suhail of Zaara Catering, who successfully organised the Iftar Mela last year, is expanding the concept this Ramzan with Daawat-e-Ramzan — a larger showcase of regional flavours from Hyderabad and Bengaluru. “We have 15 cooks from Hyderabad arriving in Chennai to prepare an elaborate iftar spread which includes a wide range of iftar snacks, seekh kebabs, biryanis, haleem and rich gravies. We’re also focussing on a variety of mutton dishes, and authentic Hyderabadi desserts will be prepared fresh and served on-site,” says Syed.
Daawat-e-Ramzan showcasesf regional flavours from Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
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VELANKANNI RAJ B
The event promises to bring the essence of Hyderabad’s Ramzan food culture to Chennai’s festive table.
Daawat-e-Ramzan is opposite Express Avenue, Royapettah from 4pm to 11pm. With limited seating, take away is recommended.
Samco
Launched in 1962 in Alwarpet, Hotel Samco has long been known for its pocket-friendly iftar offerings. This year, the restaurant has expanded its Ramzan specials by introducing an iftar buffet alongside its popular takeaway box. Sadique Aboobacker says the box serves two. It includes fruits, sherbet, dates, shawarma, mandi, nombu kanji, parotta, chicken curry, mutton samosa, mutton haleem, BBQ chicken and gulab jamun.
The takeaway iftar box is priced at ₹649, and will be available at all six outlets from 4pm to 7pm. The iftar buffet is priced at ₹849 and will be open from 6pm to 8pm. To pre-book call 9745528080.
The Kitchen by Chef Deepa
The Kitchen by Chef Deepa offers curated vegetarian iftar menu this season. The limited edition menu showcases flavourful dishes inspired by North Indian culinary traditions. Chef Deepa Arora specialises in Amritsari vegetarian cuisine, and the highlight of her menu includes dry fruit panjiri, Lawrence Road wali aloo tikki, Amritsari samosa chaat and wraps.
Dry fruit panjiri by chef Deepa
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Special Arrangement
The menu is available from 11am to 3pm and from 6pm to 11 pm. For pre-booking, call 9363544123.
Sahibs
Known for their signature biryanis, Sahibs has introduced specially curated iftar boxes this Ramzan, available in two sizes — serving three and serving five. The rotating menu features a range of popular chicken starters including chicken cutlet, breaded chicken balls, nuggets, samosas and rolls. Under the artisanal baked selection, they offer Korean cream buns, chicken sliders, creamy chicken sandwiches and chicken stuffed buns. Each iftar box includes fresh dates, nannari sharbath, a chicken starter, a baked chicken dish, chicken murtabak, grilled chicken, nombu kanji and nacho chips with salsa.
Sahibs will offers a rotating menu for their iftar box
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MOORTHY G
The box serving two is priced at ₹1,300, while the box serving five is priced at ₹2,500. For pre-bookings, call 8270266662.
Zaitoon
Zaitoon Restaurant offers an iftar box (₹690) with non-vegetarian snack, mutton biryani, chicken kizhi parotta, mutton haleem, dates, juice and nonbu kanji available at all their outlets in the city. Their iftar buffet, Ramadan Nights, this year has a street food theme, and they will present snacks from across the world. Live counters for snacks and desserts will be the highlight. Manakeesh lamb, chicken shashlik with zaatar bread, unnakai, kaipol and laban desserts will be among the highlights in their buffet spread.
Zaitoon presents street food from across the globe for iftar this year
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The Hindu
The buffet is on from 4pm to midnight, only at their Nungambakkam and Injambakkam outlets. For pre-booking, call 7092311113.
Sharief Bhai
Sharief Bhai, known for its authentic Dakhni flavours, has introduced its Ramzan iftar specials. For families looking to break their fast together, the restaurant offers a range of iftar boxes. The chicken iftar box (₹1,499, serves three) includes chicken dum biryani, chicken haleem, chicken 65, chicken kheema samosas, onion samosas, rose sharbat and gulab jamun. The mutton iftar box (₹1,999, serves three) features mutton dum biryani, mutton haleem, chicken 65, mutton kheema samosas, onion samosas, rose sharbat, gulab jamun and dates.
Priced at ₹1999, their mutton iftar box serves three.
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Special Arrangement
Also available is a mini iftar box (serves one), priced at ₹199 for chicken and ₹299 for mutton, which includes egg kheema roti, 100 g of haleem, onion samosas, dates and a water bottle. The specials are available at all Sharief Bhai outlets.
