Last Ramadan, I watched a restaurant manager on Jumeirah Beach Road frantically ordering 300 Iftar menus on the third day of Ramadan. Rush printing, premium rates, stressed staff. The menus arrived on day 7. That's six days of lost revenue from an incomplete offering.
Here's what she told me: "I thought we could use last year's menus. But our chef changed the entire Iftar buffet, prices went up, and honestly, those old menus looked tired." Sound familiar?
Ramadan is the busiest season for Dubai restaurants. This year, with Ramadan expected to start around March 1st,, restaurants across JBR, Dubai Marina, Business Bay, and Deira are already planning their print materials. The question isn't whether you need new materials - it's what exactly you need and when to order it.
This guide covers everything restaurants actually print for Ramadan, with real pricing from our quotes and timing that won't leave you scrambling.
1. Iftar & Suhoor Menus: The Foundation
Your Ramadan menus aren't just informational - they're marketing. They set expectations, justify pricing, and help servers answer the same questions 50 times a night.
Iftar Menu Considerations
Most Dubai restaurants run buffet-style Iftar. Your menu needs to communicate:
- What's included in the buffet price (dates, soup, appetizers, mains, desserts, beverages)
- Pricing structure - adult price, children's pricing (usually 6-12 years), complimentary for under 6
- Timing - when the buffet starts and ends (usually sunset to 10pm)
- Special features - live cooking stations, traditional dishes, international options
- Booking requirements - whether reservations are needed (they should be)
The typical Iftar buffet in Dubai runs contact us for pricing per person depending on the venue. Your menu needs to justify that price point through presentation and content.
Real Example: JBR Beachfront Restaurant
One of our clients runs a 120-seat restaurant in JBR. Their Iftar buffet was contact us for pricing per person. They printed:
- 400 laminated A4 menus (displayed on buffet tables describing each station)
- 120 table tent cards with pricing and Ramadan timings
- Total cost: contact us for pricing for all materials
- Those menus helped them sell 2,847 Iftar covers in 29 nights
Suhoor Menu Strategy
Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) is different from Iftar. It's usually a la carte, runs from 11pm until Fajr prayer (around 4:30-5am), and attracts a different crowd - younger, social, often staying until dawn.
Your Suhoor menu should reflect this:
- A la carte pricing with shareable plates
- Traditional Arabic breakfast items alongside international options
- Shisha flavors (if you offer it)
- Desserts and Ramadan drinks (Jallab, Qamar Al Din)
- Clear last-order timing (usually 30-45 minutes before Fajr)
Menu Material Recommendations
2. Table Tent Cards: Your Silent Salespeople
Table tents are those folded cards sitting on every table. During Ramadan, they work overtime promoting:
- Iftar/Suhoor packages and pricing
- Ramadan special drinks (Jallab, Tamar Hindi, fresh juices)
- Daily specials or featured dishes
- Reservation requirements
- Special events (like live Oud music or Quranic recitation)
Tent Card Best Practices
After printing tent cards for 60+ restaurants, here's what works:
Size & Material
A5 size (148 x 210mm) folded in half works best. Big enough to read from across the table, small enough not to dominate the table setting.
Use 350 GSM paper minimum. 300 GSM tends to sag after a few days, especially in air-conditioned environments with humidity changes. 400 GSM stands perfectly upright.
Matte lamination is essential. It resists spills (inevitable with dates and water at Iftar), can be wiped down, and doesn't create glare under restaurant lighting.
Content Strategy for Tent Cards
Don't overwhelm the tent card. Pick one primary message per card:
- Card 1: Iftar buffet - Price, timing, what's included, booking number
- Card 2: Suhoor offering - Hours, special dishes, entertainment
- Card 3: Ramadan drinks - Traditional beverages with pricing
- Card 4: Special promotion - Family package, group discounts, etc.
You can rotate these throughout the month. Week 1-2 might push Iftar packages heavily. Week 3-4 shift focus to Suhoor and Eid bookings.
Tent Card Pricing
3. Window & Wall Posters: Stopping Foot Traffic
Your storefront needs to announce "We're doing Ramadan" before people even walk in. Especially important in malls and busy streets where competition is fierce.
What to Print
- Window clings - "Ramadan Kareem" greetings, Iftar/Suhoor timings, package pricing
- A3/A2 posters - Featured dishes, family packages, group bookings
- Outdoor banners - If you have external space, vinyl banners announcing Ramadan offerings
A restaurant in Dubai Marina told us their large window poster with "Iftar Buffet contact us for pricing" increased walk-in bookings by 40% compared to the previous year without signage.
Poster Printing Costs
4. Special Promotions & Vouchers
Ramadan is when restaurants run aggressive promotions. You'll need printed materials to support them:
Family Package Inserts
Many restaurants offer "Family of 4" or "Family of 6" packages at discounted rates. Print these as inserts that servers can hand to groups or include with the bill for return visits.
Group Booking Vouchers
For corporate Iftar bookings or large family gatherings, printed vouchers or confirmation cards add professionalism. It's the difference between "Yeah, we have your booking" and "Here's your confirmed reservation card for 15 guests on March 12th."
Loyalty Cards
Some cafes and restaurants run "Break your fast with us 10 times, get one free" promotions. You'll need loyalty cards printed and laminated.
Budget Tip: All-in-One Approach
For smaller restaurants (under 50 seats), consider a single A3 poster that covers everything: Iftar pricing, Suhoor timing, special dishes, and contact info. Print 10-15 copies for contact us for pricing total, and place them strategically rather than printing multiple smaller materials.
5. Timeline: When to Order Everything
For, Ramadan is expected to begin around March 1st (pending moon sighting). Here's the ordering timeline that works:
Early January - Menu Planning
Finalize your Iftar and Suhoor menus. Confirm pricing. Get chef approval. Write the menu copy.
Mid-January - Design Phase
Design your menus, tent cards, and posters. Get 2-3 rounds of feedback. Approve final designs. This takes longer than you think - plan 2-3 weeks.
Late January/Early February - Print Orders
Place all print orders. Standard turnaround is 5-7 working days. Rush printing is available but costs 30-50% more.
Mid-February - Quality Check
Receive all materials. Check for errors, color accuracy, and quality. Order reprints if needed - you still have time.
Late February - Setup
Install window clings, place tent cards, distribute menus to staff. Train servers on Ramadan offerings using the printed materials.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
From working with dozens of Dubai restaurants, these mistakes happen repeatedly:
- Ordering too late: Mid-February is panic time. Printers are slammed, rush fees kick in, and you compromise on quality.
- Forgetting Arabic text: Many of your Ramadan guests prefer reading Arabic. At minimum, have Arabic headers and pricing.
- Using cheap paper: Saving contact us for pricing on paper quality means replacing soggy, damaged menus after week one. False economy.
- Not ordering extras: Order 20-30% more than you think you need. Spills happen, items get damaged, business might be better than expected.
- Ignoring lamination: Unlaminated materials in a restaurant environment last days, not weeks. Lamination is essential.
- Overcomplicated designs: Your server needs to explain the menu quickly. Keep it clean, readable, and organized.
What goes into the price?
There's no one-size-fits-all answer here. A few things determine what you'll pay:
Key Pricing Factors
- Material Quality: Premium materials cost more but deliver superior results and durability
- Quantity: The more you order, the less each one costs plan ahead to maximize savings
- Finishing Options: Fancy finishes (lamination, spot UV, foil) look great but cost more
- Turnaround Time: Plan ahead to save. Need it tomorrow? That'll cost extra
- Design Complexity: More colors and complex designs = higher cost
- Size & Specifications: Bigger or custom sizes use more material
Not sure what you need?
That's fine most people aren't when they first reach out. Here's what usually happens: you tell us roughly what you're trying to achieve, we ask a few questions, and then we put together some options at different price points.
No obligation. If it works for you, great. If not, at least you'll have a better idea of what's involved.
Call: +971 56 978 6395 | Email: info@brandingblitz.com
That's less than the revenue from 10 Iftar buffet covers. ROI is straightforward.
Need Ramadan Print Materials for Your Restaurant?
We handle everything from menu design to printing and delivery. Contact us before February to avoid the rush and get the best rates for.
Get Your Quote Now
Atiya Naaz
Marketing Head, Branding Blitz
Atiya brings five years of hands on experience in the UAE printing and branding industry. Based in Abu Dhabi, she leads the marketing team at Branding Blitz, helping businesses across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and all emirates find the right print solutions for their branding needs. Her expertise spans corporate identity materials, exhibition printing, packaging design, and digital marketing strategy for the regional market.
Related Products
