Iftar dining gains popularity in Kashmir as restaurants embrace new cultural shift
Srinagar, Mar 18: Kashmir has traditionally been a place where eating out was reserved for rare occasions. For generations, Iftar in Kashmir remained a private affair. Families preferred home-cooked meals, and restaurants were not a frequent choice for social gatherings. For generations, Iftar in Kashmir has been an intimate affair, a meal shared at home with family, steeped in tradition and warmth. However, in recent years, a noticeable shift has emerged—more people are choosing to break their fast outside, in restaurants and cafes, embracing a new cultural trend that reflects evolving lifestyles and social dynamics. This could also be due to a gradual increase in working professionals—especially women—and a new generation eager to explore different culinary experiences with good ambience.
For many young working professionals, eating out Iftar is a matter of convenience and a sort of relaxation from household chores. Ishfan Khan, a young working man in Srinagar who finishes his office shift close to Iftar time, finds it more practical to break his fast at a restaurant with his colleagues as commute would take the iftar time. "The fact that restaurants are providing a good experience of eating out iftar gives you the peace and relaxation one needs at the end of the day without any extra hassle,” he said.
Similarly, some families are finding that dining out offers a stress-free experience. Even though the number of people doing this on an everyday basis is very less. Occasionally, eating iftar out is slowly becoming a norm. As the trend of dining out continues to grow in Kashmir, restaurants across Srinagar are embracing the shift by curating special Iftar platters that cater to diverse tastes. From middle eastern inspired feasts to traditional South Asian delicacies, the evolving food scene reflects a broader cultural transformation in the region.
In the past, many restaurants in downtown Srinagar, known as Sher-e-Khaas, remained closed at day time during Ramadan —some out of respect for fasting traditions and others due to low business activity during the day. In Fact those who did open in the day, used to have large curtains drawn to avoid catching attention in Ramadan. However, in recent years, this trend has shifted. More downtown restaurants now remain open during Ramadan, offering a variety of Iftar platters with dates and fresh drinks as complimentary additions. The famous Khayam chowk can be seen lit with many barbeque restaurants during Iftar time and around the Nowhatta market, where the grand mosque Jamia Masjid is located, people often break their fast inside the mosque and a good amount of crowd is witnessed.
A taste of Middle Eastern cuisines in Srinagar
In restaurants cum cafes in upper town areas like Rajbagh, Sanat Nagar and around Lalchowk as well considerable rise in Middle Eastern cuisines can be seen such as special Turkish or Lebanese platters for Iftar, offering a unique culinary experience. "Our Iftar menu features dishes such as hummus, muhammara, tabbouleh, chicken shish kebab, pita bread, and baklava for desserts. Thus offering a mix of local and international tastes which attracts diverse customers" said a local restaurant owner, who runs a successful restaurant business in an uptown area.
Locals recommend for people who prefer traditional flavors, Kashmiri, Indian and South Asian cuisines, restaurants located along the scenic Boulevard road, some even with a rooftop view of Dal Lake, provides a good dining experience. One can find curated special Iftar platters featuring biryani, tikkas, kebabs and other south Asian flavorful dishes.
This change signifies growing business opportunities and an increasing demand for diverse dining experiences in the heart of the city. As per the local residents of Srinagar, restaurants are doing good business during Ramadan, with people now more open to the idea of eating iftars outside with families and friends.
The Broader Cultural Shift
The rise of Iftar dining in Kashmir is about more than just food—it reflects broader societal changes. The increasing number of working professionals, especially women, and an urban approach to lifestyle of the new generation has contributed to a growing preference for dining out. Additionally, the influence of global food trends and the appeal of convenience over labor-intensive home cooking have shaped a new Iftar culture in the region.
This slight culture shift mirrors the vibrant after iftar culture seen in Middle Eastern countries like Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia, where restaurants, cafes, and markets remain open late into the night. In these places, families, including women and children, frequently dine out for Iftar, dinner, and even Suhoor or Sehri, enjoying a safe and welcoming public space. Srinagar’s evolving food scene suggests that Kashmiris, too, are slowly but gradually embracing this lifestyle—turning Ramadan nights into moments of social gathering, culinary exploration, and cultural transformation.
While one may argue that many still cherish the intimacy of home-cooked Iftar meals, the growing popularity of eating out is an undeniable sign of shift in the valley be it for convenience, socializing, or the love of diverse flavors, breaking fast beyond home is slowly becoming a celebrated part of modern Ramadan in Kashmir.
