An iftar always begins with ambition. At 2 PM, you’re confident. By 3 PM, the kitchen has humbled you. The frozen chicken is staring back with quiet accusation. You briefly consider “something simple,” then remember that in Egypt, “simple iftar” still involves five courses, three breads, and at least one aunt auditing the absence of molokhia.

The good news: iftar doesn’t have to be homemade to feel thoughtful. It just has to feel considered. The real skill lies in what you outsource, what you plate strategically, and how convincingly you imply you’ve been cooking all day instead of tracking deliveries like a stockbroker.

Think of this as curation, not surrender. A way to keep the warmth of hosting without turning your kitchen into a forensic investigation — and without spending Maghrib negotiating with hot oil.

Starters

Starters are not about variety. They’re about optics and pacing. You want the table to look generous the second people sit down, and you want everyone to stop acting like they haven’t eaten since 2019. This is the part you outsource with confidence, then plate like you’ve been calmly “assembling” all afternoon.

Sambousak Sobhy Kaber

Sobhy Kaber

Kobeba

Carlo’s

Spring Rolls

Peking

Mixed Mezze Platters (Hummus/Pickles/Tahina)

Qasr El Kababgi

Wara’ Enab

Abdelwahab

Soups & Drinks

This category is your host insurance policy. Soup slows people down, warms them up, and makes the whole iftar feel proper, even if everything else arrived in delivery bags. Drinks do the opposite: they make the table look intentional. Pour everything into real glasses, use a jug, add ice, and suddenly nobody is asking questions. This is where you win.

Lentil Soup

Tamara

Lesan Asfour Soup

House of Zizi

Carob & Hibiscus

Lychee

Main Courses

Mains are where you either look like you hosted, or like you panicked. The trick is choosing dishes that hold up, travel well, and still feel like a real Ramadan table once they’re plated. This is not the moment to prove anything about yourself. Outsource the heavy lifting, focus on balance, and serve like you’re used to doing this. If the mains land well, everyone will assume the rest of the night was effortless too.

Molokhia

Hadramot Antar

Meammar Rice

Seekh Mashwy

Mombar

El Dahan

Hamam Mahshi

Hekayet Hamam

Mixed Grill

Tante

Potato Casserole

7agogah

Desserts

Dessert is your closing statement. It’s the part people talk about on the group chat after they leave and the part that gets you invited to host again (whether you want that or not). Keep it classic, keep it trusted, and serve it like it’s the grand finale.

Kunafa

Simonds

Om Ali

La Poire

Basbousa

Mandarine Koueidar

Previous Article Egyptian Deli Concept Fino is Now Open in New Cairo
Next Article This Sohour Spot in New Cairo Serves Fool & Ta'meya With Truffle

This Sohour Spot in New Cairo Serves Fool & Ta'meya With Truffle