Ramadan Iftar is one of the busiest and most profitable seasons for coffee shops, hotels, and restaurants as customers seek convenient and high-quality meals for Iftar and Suhoor.
Operators face challenges such as high demand, labor shortages, and maintaining food consistency, especially with traditional dishes like Sambosa, Kebbah, and ready meals.
This guide provides actionable strategies to optimize menus, streamline operations, implement profitable pricing, and attract more customers during Ramadan.
Understanding the Ramadan Demand
During Ramadan, coffee shops, hotels, and restaurants struggle with high demand, overburdened kitchen staff, and inconsistent quality in traditional dishes.
Fluctuating demand leads to increased waste, while sourcing authentic ingredients in bulk remains a challenge, making it difficult to ensure a seamless iftar and suhoor experience
What to include in Iftar menu ?
Frozen Appetizers
Soup & Starters
Main Course
Suhoor Essentials
Desserts
Beverages
Pricing Strategies for Iftar & Suhoor Menus
Calculate total food cost per person (e.g., SAR 30 per meal).
Add a 30%-50% profit margin to cover labor, utilities, and service costs.
Final price = SAR 45 – SAR 60 per person.
📌 Example Iftar Set Menu (SAR 55-75 per person)
Starter: Lentil Soup + 3 pcs Sambosa or Kebbah
Main: Chicken Mandi or Lamb Ouzi
Side: Hummus & Arabic Salad
Dessert: Kunafa
Drink: Jallab or Karak Tea
📌 Example Suhoor Set Menu (SAR 45-65 per person)
Starter: Foul Medames + Cheese Fatayer
Main: Shakshuka with Arabic Bread
Side: Labneh with Olives
Drink: Arabic Coffee or Sahlab
Marketing Strategies to Boost Iftar & Suhoor Sales
Online Pre-Orders
Combining convenience with luxury packaging creates high demand! Offer a beautifully curated Iftar Box filled with pre-packed gourmet Ramadan favorites, perfect for corporate clients, families, and hotels seeking ready-to-serve meals.
🌙 Premium Box Includes:
3 pcs Sambosa (meat, cheese, vegetable)
2 pcs Kebbah (beef & chicken)
Mini Manakish (cheese & zaatar)
Fresh Dates & Arabic Coffee Shot
Jallab or Amar Al Deen Juice
Themed Ramadan Iftar Nights (Weekly Specials)
Why It Works: Adding excitement through themed iftar nights encourages repeat visits!. Introduce weekly Ramadan iftar themes featuring rotating regional cuisines to keep your offerings fresh and engaging.
🌙 Example of Themed Iftar Menus:
- Levantine Night: Falafel, Sambosa, Kibbeh, Lamb Ouzi, Kunafa.
- Gulf Night: Chicken Mandi, Lentil Soup, Karak Tea, Saffron Cake.
- Moroccan Night: Harira Soup, Chicken Tagine, Dates, Mint Tea.
Conclusion
Ramadan is a key opportunity for cafés, restaurants, and hotels to boost revenue and customer loyalty. Success lies in efficient operations, a well-curated menu, and seamless service. By offering pre-made frozen options like Sambosa and Kebbah, implementing smart pricing, and creating unique dining experiences, you can stand out in a competitive market.
With the right tools, streamlined kitchen workflow, and engaging promotions, your venue can become the go-to spot for Iftar and Suhoor.
