Food outlets, restaurants, hotels, cafes, juice bars and even roadside vendors are laughing all the way to the bank, thanks to Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims.
In fact, the online orders for iftar packs have risen by 20 to 50 percent, depending upon the popularity of the joint and delicacies on offer.
Most Muslim families prefer to order food online or opt for takeaways before the Maghrib prayer, catering to themselves, friends and extended families for breaking the fast. Naeem Patel of Moti Mahal restaurant, which has outlets on SG Highway and in the Walled City area, said, “We are receiving around 50 per cent more online orders during Ramadan. We have also introduced special packs for individuals and families, which include multiple items.”
He added, “We also offer customers the option to customise their own iftar meals, allowing them to order fewer items based on their preferences and budget rather than opting for larger meal packs. The peak ordering period is between 4 pm and 7 pm.” However, many diners have pointed out that the cost of food items at restaurants and eateries has risen in recent years due to inflation. This has particularly affected middle- and lower-middle-income groups, altering their ordering patterns.
Vishal Meni, owner of Kunal Restaurant on Ashram Road, told Mirror, “We have seen a 20 per cent jump in online sales, especially for desserts, milkshakes, cold coffee and snacks like samosas and aloo tikki, as well as ice creams. Many Muslim families also order vegetarian food packs from us.”
Ashram Road, noted, “Around iftar time, typically between 6 pm and 6:30 pm, we have observed a rise in the sales of items like cream fruit salad and milkshakes made with cashew-fig, dates and custard apple, as well as mosambi juice.”
Juhapura, a bustling food hub
While food trucks across the city experience a surge in visitors at night during Ramadan-drawing people from all communities-the food market in Juhapura stands out.
As the sun sets, Juhapura’s streets come alive with the aromas of sizzling delicacies, attracting food lovers from across Ahmedabad.
Ramadan effect of the largest Muslim neighbourhoods in Asia, Juhapura has transformed into a bustling food hub this Ramadan, with new outlets and special stalls offering a variety of flavours to satisfy every palate. Another major attraction this time is Hyderabadi Haleem, freshly served at a newly opened outlet in Juhapura. Known for its rich, meaty texture and unique blend of spices, this dish-alongside the world-famous Hyderabadi Biryani-has drawn long queues of eager food lovers.
Although Juhapura is widely recognised for its non-vegetarian delicacies, this Ramadan has also seen a rise in special vegetarian stalls. Vendors from different parts of Ahmedabad set up shop just before iftar, selling popular Gujarati snacks such as khaman, jalebis, and locha in abundance.