Where to dine this Ramadaan?

THOBILE MAZIBUKO thobile.mazibuko@inl.co.za

ALHAMDULILLAH! Ramadaan is almost here.

This year, Ramadaan starts on March 22 and will end on Thursday, April 20.

Ramadaan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. After Ramadaan, they start with Eid celebrations, where they cook a storm, feasting on their favourite dishes. However, with the load shedding in South Africa, not everyone will get a chance to cook. And if you are one of those, here’s where you can dine this Ramadaan.

Johannesburg

The Raj

If you want to experience Indian cuisine, visit The Raj in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton. Owned by Dr Arun Jairath, The Raj is a restaurant that not only serves a traditional North Indian menu but offers Indian-style pizza, pies and ice cream. They pride themselves on their aromatic spices imported from India, hand-picked herbs, self-grown organic. Some of the must-try dishes on their menu include chicken tikka, samoosas, murgh shahi korma, dahl gosh, machli pepper fry, fish Malabar, matar mushroom and paneer shimla mirch. For desserts they have rice kheer, gulab jamun, kulfi and gajar halwa. The Raj is open from 9am until 8pm. For bookings: (011) 783 1521.

SPICY curry from The Raj. | Instagram

Istanbul Kebab

If you’re looking for Middle East food and the best kebabs in town, then Istanbul Kebab is the place to be. With several branches in Melrose and Suninghill, this restaurant offers well-balanced Turkish and Mediterranean Halal food. Some of the best dishes on their menu include Ali Nazik kebab, beef Iskender, falafel, lahmmacun and beyti sarma kebab. For desserts, they have revani, sutlac, trilece and kunefe. For bookimgs, email: manager@ istanbulkebab.co.za

KEBABS from Istanbul Kebab. | istanbulkebab.co.za.

MiHa Eatery

Situated in Melrose, MiHa is a certified Halaal restaurant offering a variety of cuisines, including Middle Eastern, South African and vegetarian. Some of its famous dishes include Ribeye on the bone, MiHa Signature Portuguese Prawns, Cauliflower Steak and MiHa Signature Sushi. Although it is a non-alcoholic restaurant, they still offer tasty mocktails, freezochinos and smoothies. For bookings, email: yasin@ miha.co.za.

Durban

The Address

Situated in Morningside, The Address prides itself as the talk of the town. Besides their everyday menu, they have a special Friday buffet after Jumma. The buffet consists of chicken biryani, dhal and rice, soji, papad, salad and spiced sour milk. Adults pay R120, and children under 10 years only pay R50. Call 031 303 8822 for bookings.

Durban Tikka

The name speaks for itself. Durban Tikka is known for serving the best tikka in eThekwini. Their menu includes halwa puri, chicken shawarma, and chicken biryani. For bookings: 074 836 4421.

Cape Town

Saray

Situated on the V&A Waterfront, Saray brings authentic Turkish food to Cape Town. For groups of more than 15 people, they have a special menu called The Turkish Family Feast. It includes tavuk sote (a saucy chicken dish cooked with fresh vegetables topped with cheese served with fresh bread), and Kurdish kavurma (a beef, baby onion and mushroom delight served with bread). A R1 000 deposit has to be paid in advance to secure the booking. Call 066 4303391 or 082 868 4210 to make a reservation.

PLATTER from Saray. | saray.co.za.

TASTY breakfast from Bo-Kaap Deli.