A stunning beach and poolside setting with exceptional views of the sunset and a excellent food makes this one of the best Iftar venues in Abu Dhabi.
When you think of the Saadiyat Beach Club the iconic picture comes to mind of the wooden cabanas floating on the huge blue pool with the low slung clubhouse building in the background, there is no other venue that has this stunning look.
Located on the shores of Saadiyat Island, a veritable emblem of the tropical exoticism, combining the breathtaking beauty of unspoiled nature with a sophisticated contemporary design. The views offered by the club’s magnificent position are simply unmatched by any other venue.
We were over to try the Iftar Buffet and we were just blown away, the food was exceptional and the views of the setting sun added that extra magic to the evening.
With its breathtaking interior lavished with luxury, dark wooden and comfortable seating, Safina, creates the perfect, soothing setting for guests to enjoy dining and then outside, on the beautiful terrace the atmosphere is just as special with the fresh breeze and views of the pool and gardens beyond.
We are just in time to be seated and its time to break the fast, there is wide variety of dates and other dried fruits along with some of the classic Arabic juices, we loved the lemon mint and the Jallab, perfect to quench your thirst and set the tone for the evening.
The Food
Its a huge buffet with a selection of starters, salads, soups and desserts inside, then outside are the live grilling stations along with a good variety of Arabic, Indian and International dishes.
We get a platter of assorted spring rolls, kibbeh and fatayer which are fresh and crisp, there are two varieties of soup, a hearty mushroom soup and a flavorful lentil soup which was just amazing.
The central island features an extensive salad bar, there is a huge variety of Arabic and western salads all superbly presented and extremely flavorful, we sampled most of them and each had their own distinct flavor, the stuffed vine leaves and the feta salad were the highlights.
Outside, there is a huge variety grilled delicacies waiting, the shrimp is excellent and the lamb chops are just falling off the bone, we tried the chicken and beef kebabs and had to go back for more of those juicy chops, we just couldn’t resist.
Next we try the lamb biryani which was excellent, the thick cut potato wedges and the grilled veggies were excellent companions to the grilled meats and the lasagna was extremely flavorful. We loved the lemon fish and the roast chicken. The lamb kofta curry was another highlight.
Its time to try the magnificent Lamb Ouzi, the rice looked stunning covered with roasted nuts that added a nice crunch, the meat was absolutely melting and the flavors were just amazing making a fitting end to a delightful meal.
The Desserts
The dessert island is teeming with every possible Arabic dessert you can imagine and some we have never tired before so it was a real delight sampling each and savoring their unique taste. The Znoud El Sit and the Basbousa were divine, we loved the Cheese Qatayef which was a new one for us.
There are the classic Indian Gulab Jamun and a decadent home made kunafa along with a lovely Um Ali which was piping hot. The other notable desserts were the lemon meringue, cream caramel and the delightful mango mousse.
The Verdict
We have always been fans of the Saadiyat Beach Club, the venue with its sunning setting is just exceptional and the food definitely top quality. The ambiance is unmatched and combined with the great food makes it an unforgettable experience not to mention the very attractive pricing.
The place was completely full but the staff were able to maintain a superb level of service, very attentive and we not left wanting for anything all through the evening. They offered coffee and shisha after the meal which was lovely sitting in one of the cabanas by the pool, we just didn’t want to leave.
The Package
The Iftar Buffer at Safina takes place all through the Holy month of Ramadan from sundown to 8.30 PM and its priced at AED 199 per person including drinks.
The Contact
For reservations contact +971 02 656 3536 or email [email protected]
