Updated 4:30 p.m., March 7
Pakoras, chana chaat, fritters, and an iced lime and rose-flavored drink called Sirap Limau. They’re just a few of the Iftar appetizers and drinks that Cupertino resident Shaliza Kader Sultan will prepare for her family during Ramadan to break their fast at dusk — a menu that’s a nod to her Pakistani and Malaysian roots.
- Jump straight to: Where can I find Iftar and Suhoor meals and buffets near me?
As Ramadan begins on a crescent moon, Muslims around the world are observing this holy month of fasting, spirituality, and reflection. “It’s a time to actually slow down a little bit, and reflect, and concentrate on things like family bonding and spiritual growth,” Sultan said.
As a manager of the massive Bay Area Halal Foodies Facebook group — over 40,000 members and counting — and a volunteer for Halal Fest, which mounts huge celebrations of halal food in the Bay Area, Sultan plays a significant part in the halal food scene in the Bay Area throughout the year. But during Ramadan, her role is supercharged.
When the community is looking for restaurants open for Suhoor, the morning meal before dawn or special buffets available only during Ramadan, Sultan will be one of the first people to share that information with the community. And while spiritual growth is a big part of Ramadan, it’s also a month to appreciate the diverse food around us, whether it’s at home or at one of the Bay Area’s many restaurants, she said.
As a Ramadan tradition, dinners are a bit more special and different for Sultan and the family. “We do away with the tables and chairs and sit on the floor at home, picnic style,” she said — a simpler and more intimate style of dining that is common in Asian culture, she shared. On top of that, her son and husband will go above and beyond to try new recipes they find on YouTube to share with family and friends.
To add to the festivities, every year Sultan creates a Ramadan calendar counting down the days to Eid — complete with a small gift box for each day containing chocolates, a written prayer for her son to read and a random act of kindness for her son to perform that day.
Reflecting on her own childhood celebrating Ramadan in Malaysia — a predominantly Muslim country where festivities are a given — Sultan looks forward to putting up lights, decorating the house and cooking special meals for her family during this holy month. “I think it’s important to make an effort to make Ramadan special for my family, especially in a place where Muslims aren’t a majority,” she said.
Where can you join Iftar and Suhoor in the Bay Area?
One of the largest Suhoor events in California, HalalFest’s fourth annual Suhoor Fest — attended by over 7,000 people last year — will take place on Saturday, March 15, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Sunday at SABA Center in San José.
The event will feature over a dozen halal eateries, including Bay Area staples like El Halal Amigos and Zareen’s. Dessert, chai, coffee and vendors selling clothes including hijabs will also be available during this event.
In addition, Muslim Community Association, MCA Bay Area’s third annual Suhoor Night will take place on Friday, March 14, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday.
To join an Iftar during Ramadan, check out your local mosque or Muslim community center for more information. Note that some Iftars require registration in advance.
To experience Iftar or Suhoor at halal restaurants in the Bay Area, here are some of the venues offering special Iftar menus and open late for Suhoor during Ramadan:
Ramadan Iftar buffets and specials in the Bay Area
- Mehran Restaurant and Catering, Newark: Provides Iftar buffet Tuesdays to Sundays with a different menu every day. Call for reservations: 510-668-1111.
- Inchin’s Bamboo Garden, Dublin: Offering a special menu during Ramadan. Call for more information: 925-361-0927.
- The Ghurka’s Kitchen, Hayward: Discounts on the buffet menu are available during Ramadan.
- Habibiz, Fremont: Offering meals less than $10 during Ramadan. Call for more information: 415-761-3294.
- Bismillah Restaurant, Fremont: Offering promotions for large catering events. Call for more details: 510-713-1907.
- Mangal Turkish BBQ, Sunnyvale: Offering a buffet menu every night during Ramadan. Call for reservations: 408-747-1888.
- Lahori, San Jose: Offering a buffet menu every night during Ramadan.