Fresh harees is served in portions that often sell out quickly, luqaimat drizzled with date syrup are prepared in batches, and regag bread is made fresh on the spot.
If you’re planning a short Ramadan road trip this weekend, Al Dhaid is worth a visit. Just about 1.5 hours from Dubai, the town lets you combine prayer, heritage, and traditional food for a relaxed evening. With the newly opened Souq Sharia’t and the modern glass-domed Al Nasr Mosque, Al Dhaid now offers a simple yet complete iftar experience.
Drive to Al Dhaid in the afternoon and perform Asr prayer at Al Nasr Mosque. The newly opened mosque features a large glass dome that fills the prayer hall with natural light, creating an open, serene atmosphere, especially in the late afternoon as worshippers start to arrive.
After Asr, visit Al Dhaid Fort or other nearby heritage sites. The fort is just a short drive away and provides a window into the region’s history. The peaceful surroundings make it easy to explore at a relaxed pace.
As sunset approaches, many return to Al Nasr Mosque for Maghrib prayer. Parking is well-organised and convenient. On my visit during the second day of Ramadan, the mosque was lively but not overcrowded.
From the mosque, Souq Sharia’t is just a five-minute drive away.
Stepping into the souq, the atmosphere shifts. Long corridors stretch ahead, framed by arches and thick columns. Sand-coloured walls, stone flooring, and heavy wooden doors with metal studs evoke the charm of a bygone era.
The souq doesn’t resemble a modern mall. Instead, it feels like stepping into a carefully restored traditional marketplace, the kind you might imagine in historic Emirati trading towns.
The market hosts around 34 shops, where visitors can explore jalabiya and abaya stores, oud and bakhoor outlets, coffee houses, and grocery-style shops reminiscent of old neighbourhood baqalas.
At the heart of the souq is an open courtyard. Majlis-style cafés with traditional seating invite families and friends to gather, while children wander between shops and elders enjoy tea and conversation.
During Ramadan, the true highlight is the food.
Several Emirati households prepare homemade dishes and bring them to the souq to sell, creating a personal, community-driven iftar experience. Fresh harees is served in portions that often sell out quickly, luqaimat drizzled with date syrup are prepared in batches, and regag bread is made on the spot. Other traditional items are available in limited quantities, adding a sense of anticipation to the evening.
Ahmed, a visitor from Sharjah, said he came with his family after hearing about the market: “We wanted something different from the usual mall iftar. This feels more local,” he said, carrying takeaway boxes.
Another visitor called it a balanced outing: “It’s peaceful. You can pray, walk around, and eat in one place. It’s simple.”
By the time I arrived after Maghrib, families were buying food, sitting in the courtyard, and strolling through the corridors. The market was lively, yet comfortably relaxed.
What sets Al Dhaid apart now is the complete experience it offers. In a single evening, you can pray in a newly opened mosque with a striking dome, explore a historic fort, and stroll through a heritage-style souq that feels deeply rooted in tradition.
There are no loud screens or crowded food courts—just arches, wooden doors, and the calm rhythm of families preparing for iftar.
For residents seeking to avoid packed malls this Ramadan, a road trip to Al Dhaid provides a refreshingly different iftar experience, blending the charm of the past with the comforts of the present.
