What to eat during Ramadan
Food Editor
Emily Lambe
Ramadan is a time for reflection and gathering with family and friends. After a long day of fasting, dig into a nourishing meal with our time-saving recipes and easy snacks. We've also hand-picked the best recipes for celebrating Eid al-Fitr including sharing dishes and indulgent desserts. Keep reading to learn more about the meaning of Ramadan and when Ramadan begins.

What is Ramadan?
In Islam, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim Calendar commemorating the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. This holy month is marked by a period of fasting, prayer, community, and celebration by Muslims worldwide. Muslims typically fast from dawn to sunset during this period, abstaining from all food and drink. People for whom fasting would be a hardship, however, like pregnant women and those who are ill, are exempt from fasting. Muslims will commonly have a meal just before dawn called Suhoor and share an evening meal after sunset called Iftar.

When is Ramadan?
The beginning of Ramadan changes every year because the Islamic Calendar follows the phases of the moon. As a result, Ramadan begins 10 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar. This year, 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Friday, 28 February and conclude on the evening of Sunday, 30 March.

What to eat to break your fast
At sunset, those observing Ramadan may break their fast with a small snack like fruit and water. Dates, like these hand-selected, exceptionally plump Medjool Dates with Stones, are a popular choice. Why not take this simple treat up a notch with our stuffed dates recipe, filled with wholesome seeded nut butter or velvety smooth hazelnut crème, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt? A handful of nuts, like our Natural King Walnut Halves or this Collection Midnight Beauty Raisins and Cashews mix, provides a great boost of protein. For a light treat, these sun-ripened figs or our succulent dried apricots will do the trick.

Iftar meal ideas
Iftar is the time to break your fast and dig into an evening feast. After a day of fasting, make sure you’re hydrating by drinking water and getting your nutrients by packing in protein using halal meat or other protein sources. For an easy dinner, stack shredded chicken on top of a light tabbouleh salad with creamy labneh yogurt dip. Or prep your dinner ahead of time with our fragrant chicken korma or gently spiced lentil dal. Simply throw your ingredients into a slow cooker and dinner will be ready in time for sunset. For something speedy, pile hearty beef koftas on top of our soft Flame Baked Roti, ready in just 20 minutes.

What to eat for Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is a day of celebration and community with family and friends. Kick off the festivities with a bowl of luxury loaded houmous and sharing dishes like crispy veggie pakoras and tender lamb paratha. A batch of smothered hot honey chicken wings or juicy chipotle chicken thighs are real crowd-pleasers, especially paired with a za’atar-roasted cauliflower, kale and chickpea salad or roasted carrots with garlic tahini yogurt and pistachio dukkah. Double up this chicken pilaf recipe to feed a crowd, or try this bejewelled rice for a celebratory side. Guests will love digging into these spiced meatballs, seasoned with a sprinkle of ras el hanout and paired with a cooling labneh and a crunchy, brightening slaw. Finish your feast with a decadent dessert, like this rich and creamy pistachio cheesecake or these elegant white chocolate tiramisu pots topped with succulent raspberries.

Celebrating Ramadan and Eid with M&S
Our M&S Foodhall is home to everything you need to celebrate in style. From top-quality ingredients to thoughtful gifts, we’ve got your Ramadan and Eid essentials sorted. Treat loved ones to our Collection Baklava Selection – handcrafted by skilled bakers, each piece is made of 32 layers of delicate filo pastry. These melt-in-the-mouth Swiss Chocolates also make a great gift with a selection of the smoothest white, milk and dark chocolate. And nothing goes better with a cup of tea than our Belgian Milk, Dark & White Chocolate Luxury Biscuits with a range of flavours from salted caramel to hazelnut praline.
Published 2.17.2025
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