Ramadan begins this week. Observed worldwide, it’s a month-long period of reflection and prayer for the global Muslim community. Including where to eat iftar in London, the Ramadan Lights, plus events and celebrations, these are the best things to do in London for Ramadan 2026.
Many muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan by fasting from sunrise, breaking the fast with an iftar meal at sunset. Expected to begin on 17 February and end on 18 March in 2026 (exact dates and timings depend on the sighting of the crescent moon), Ramadan will be followed by Eid-al-Fitr celebrations.
Across London, many Ramadan events will take place throughout the months of February and March, including decorative displays, an interfaith art exhibition, run clubs, and plenty of fast-breaking iftar feasts. As the holy month comes to an end, Eid celebrations begin, which in London include prayer, creative workshops, live performances, fireworks and food.
This is what to do in London for Ramadan in 2026.
Things to do in London for Ramadan 2026
See the Ramadan Lights in Central London
For the forth year, the Ramadan Lights are back in central London. The bulbs will light up in unison at 5pm every evening, and sparkle until 5am every morning – the timings are designed to reflect that of Ramadan’s iftar and suhoor meals, when fasts are broken everyday (iftar) and after which they begin (suhoor). Alongside Islamic-inspired geometric patterns, a large, stand-out light display will wish passersby a ‘Happy Ramadan’ from switch-on until the end of Ramadan, when the greeting will change to ‘Happy Eid’ on 18 March (until 24 March). When the aerial Ramadan Lights first shone in London’s West End in 2023, they were a first – not only for central London, but for the centre of any western city. Find them on Coventry Street, which connects Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square – and long may they last.
Shop at the Ramadan Souk 2026
There’s a Ramadan Souk coming to East London, and it’s the place to pick up varied Ramadan and Eid gifts (for loved ones, or for yourself). Held at Royal Regency, close to Manor Park station, 75 vendors will be showcasing their goods, ranging from freshly ground spices to modest wear. Pick up oud by Aimara, baked goods by Rihla, floral art from Samba Creations, skincare by Nurify Skin, and handmade pieces by Art by Shaf. There’s also a bouncy castle to keep kids entertained as you shop.
Take part in a run through central London with the Ramadan Run Club
Runners of all levels and all faiths are invited to join in with the Ramadan Run Club (RRC), which will take place across London throughout the holy month. The RRC was created by the Ramadan Tent Project to encourage those seeking to stay active during the holy month, but also to build a sense of community. Runs cover varying routes, ending at places including Battersea Arts Centre and 22 Bishopsgate, and all runners are guaranteed a seat at an Open Iftar table (more information below) to feast with friends old and new.
Visit the interfaith Shared Light exhibition
Rooh-E-Bhag (Soul of the Garden) (2025) – Mohamad Aaqib Anvarmia
Inside Zedwell Hotel Piccadilly Circus, a new art exhibition spearheaded by the Aziz Foundation is asking visitors to slow down and consider the values that are central to both Ramadan and to us all, as neighbours, friends, families, different cultures – humans. A (free-to-submit) open call asked for artists of all faiths, backgrounds and experience to submit their work, and will culminate in the interfaith exhibition, curated by London-based artist and composer Raheel Khan, and running from 13 February to 22 March. Pictured above is Rooh-E-Bhag – Soul of the Garden (2025) by Mohamad Aaqib Anvarmia, a piece inspired by the garden, a place of balance, growth and care, to reflect the spirit of Ramadan, as well as the universal experiences of patience and renewal. No piece of art at the exhibition is on sale, but each is hung for visitors to appreciate – via both the work and the stories behind them, accessed via a QR code.
Where To Eat Iftar in London 2026: The Best Iftar Meals In London
Open Iftar
Open Iftar 2025 at Guildhall, London – Credit Acacia Diana
The very special and unique Open Iftar was created by Ramadan Tent Project to bring people together for iftar across the UK. It was started by a group of students at SOAS University who were living alone and wanted to celebrate Ramadan with friends, and has developed into an annual community iftar in locations as unique as they are impressive – such as King’s College Cambridge, Brighton Dome, and the Silverstone Circuit. In 2026 – the 13th year of Open Iftar – London locations will include Banqueting House (20 February), Soho Theatre (22 February), the National Gallery (6 March) and Trafalgar Square (16 March). More than one million people have been a part of it so far; meals are provided by local caterers and are usually announced on the day, but expect anything from Lebanese grills to Moroccan tagines or Pakistani biryani.
InterContinental London Park Lane
Would it be iftar without shorba (a red lentil soup) and falafel? British-Jordanian chef, Ayesha Kalaji doesn’t think so, so she’s collaborated with Mayfair’s InterContinental London Park lane to curate an iftar menu featuring all of this alongside mains like lamb chops with spiced rice, raisins and pine nuts; whole grilled seabass; and makmoura, a confit chicken with a kunafa pastry, strained yoghurt, pomegranate and Aleppo chilli. Served at The Wellington Lounge, the menu may sound somewhat traditional, but chef Kalaji intends to surprise, too. End your evening with her pink mahleb tuile or baklava.
London’s Iftar Food Trail
Photo Credit: Ed Reeves
Launching on the 16 February, ‘Ramadan Delights’, London’s Iftar Food Trail, is back for its second year. Organised by the Aziz Foundation, the team behind London’s Ramadan Lights, it gives Londoners the opportunity to eat their way around the city come sundown. Restaurants taking part with special iftar menus for 2026 include: a three-course iftar with Medjool dates, Moroccan mint tea, mezze and kunefe at 1 Leicester Square Rooftop Restaurant; iftar-friendly dishes at Market Place Food Hall in Leicester Square (halal pizza slices from Bread Ahead, gyros from Hide & Greek’s, brownie baklava with rose milk soft serve at Soft Serve Society’s), and more – plus discounts at other venues across London.
Chargal Mayfair
One of London’s most exciting new openings, Chargals holds court with Park Chinois, Novikov and Annabel’s in the Berkeley Street/Berkeley Park area of London’s Mayfair. It’s no surprise that this restaurant, the latest venture from Serdar Demir – the restaurateur behind The Mantl in Knightsbridge – has proven a quick success, and this Ramadan he’s set to take the menu even further. Inspired by Turkey’s popular grill and mezze dishes, this three-course iftar feast starts with flatbreads and is accompanied by hummus, muhammara, cacık, then followed by the grill: taouk, shish and Adana, plus seafood and plant-based options. End the evening with a choice of dessert, like milk kadayıf with hazelnut or chocolate sorbet with fennel pollen and olive oil.
Imad Alarnab’s Ramadan supper clubs, Salamlik, Somerset House
Imad Alarnab’s Ramadan supperclubs – timed for iftar and held within Salamlik, the private dining space at Aram by Imad inside Somerset House – start with homemade lemonade and Damascus iced tea before moving into mezze and main dishes inspired by Syria, Jordan, Cyprus, Turkey and beyond. Main plates, like mnazeleh (chickpeas and aubergine with cumin, red peppers and tomato) and mudakhan ghanam, (slow-roasted lamb shoulder with fragrant rice and cashews) are followed by a crisp filo pastry with pistachio ice cream and glaze. With just three iftar supper clubs taking place, book early to secure your place this Ramadan. A percentage of all ticket sales will be donated to charities including Action Syria and Choose Love.
Little Baobab
Peckham-born Senegalese restaurant Little Baobab moved into Africa House in 2024. According to Kadim Mane, who founded the restaurant and remains head chef, “There were very few, if any, Senegalese restaurants in London. I decided I wanted to change that whilst sharing my passion for my country’s roots”. This Ramadan, once a week, they’ll host an iftar buffet inspired by West African flavours like fish fataya, lamb thiou and jollof rice alongside hot drinks including clove-spiced coffee and traditional Ataya tea. Fifteen per cent of sales will be donated to Institut Mame Dabakh, a Senegalese organisation supporting orphans and other young children with education and housing.
Villa Mamas
Celebrating Khaleeji culture and heritage, chef Roaya Saleh pays homage to the Gulf in a special home-food style Ramadan menu at her Bahrani restaurant, Villa Mamas. The iftar menu starts with sharing plates like kibbeh and warak enab, before moving onto main dishes including slow-braised lamb shank with rice, and a Persian-style rice with chicken and saffron. Soft drinks served alongside the menu include iced hibiscus karkade and the very fun Vimto slushy. Outside of London, Vila Mamas has popular restaurants in Bahrain, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, the latter two finding themselves in the 2026 Michelin Guide – testament to its quality and authenticity.
Bombay Bustle
Samyukta Nair and Pernia Qureshi are joining forces at Bombay Bustle this Ramadan. Pernia, a fashion entrepreneur has recently released a cookbook – Ammi’s Kitchen – inspired by her grandmother’s cooking, and has teamed up with Samyukta’s expertise (she’s founder of both Bombay Bustle and Jamavar), to showcase a menu celebrating the tastes and traditions of Rampur, a city in northern India. Expect fruit chaat and dates followed by mutton seekh kebabs, yakhni pulao, and paneer pasanda, among other dishes. End the evening with firni, a sweet rice pudding with cardamom.
Ta’mini Lebanese Bakery
The iftar at this family-run Lebanese bakery, founded by husband-and-wife duo Ali and Nermin, will be served at both its Bloomsbury (70 Marchmont St, London WC1N 1AB) and Kensington (15 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4LF) spots. ‘Ta’mini’ means ‘feed me’ in Arabic, and across Ramadan the couple will be whipping up a menu of dates, lentil soup, pita, fatoush, mamakish and wraps, followed by kunafa kaak.
The Mayfair Chippy
Mayfair’s favourite fish ‘n’ chip joint, The Mayfair Chippy, has developed a special iftar menu. Why would a fish and chip shop offer iftar? Because a large number of the restaurant’s clientele celebrate Ramadan. The Mayfair Chippie’s iftar menu has been developed in collaboration with The Mayfair Chippy’s Saudi Partners, Alidara Real Estate, ahead of its expansion into Saudi Arabia (spring/summer 2026) and features restaurant classics – like fried cod or haddock goujons, handcut chips and mushy peas with tartare sauce or HP gravy – alongside seasonal specials like the Middle Eastern Shepherd’s Pie, comprising braised lamb shoulder with apricot, sumac spiced potato, smoked cheddar, seasonal greens and molasses gravy. Dessert (halawiyat) includes glazed lemon tart, milk chocolate mousse, and sea salt and caramel truffles.
Coya Mayfair
Coya Mayfair has curated a halal-certified, iftar set-menu featuring their restaurant favourites alongside new dishes that will be served only during Ramadan: lomo saltado, a beef stir fry with sweetcorn rice and crispy potato; lamb ribs miso with a tamarind glaze and buckwheat; and the ever-so-tempting pistachio tres leches cake, made with salted pistachio praline and served with vanilla ice cream. The iftar menu will be served everyday from sunset until 7.30pm, alongside non-alcoholic cocktails.
Lead image: Open Iftar at Royal Albert Hall, previous years
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