Ramadan is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar — a time of fasting, reflection, family, and extraordinary food. For Muslim Arabs living in the Netherlands, celebrating Ramadan abroad brings both joy and nostalgia. The long Dutch evenings and the distance from extended family make the month feel different — but one thing that doesn't have to change is the iftar table. With MnBaladna, everything you need for a perfect Arabic iftar is delivered to your door in as little as 30 minutes.

Building the Perfect Arabic Iftar Table

1. Breaking the Fast — Dates & Water

The Sunnah is to break fast with dates and water. High-quality Medjool, Ajwa, or Sukkari dates are available through MnBaladna from specialist date vendors. Stock up early in Ramadan — premium dates sell out quickly.

How you benefit:

• Order premium date boxes in advance to avoid Ramadan shortages.
• Share quality dates with family and neighbors as a Sunnah gift.

2. Soups

Harira (Moroccan), shorbat adas (lentil soup), and freekeh soup are Ramadan staples. Find all base ingredients — lentils, dried chickpeas, spice blends, and vermicelli — through Arabic grocery stores on the platform.

How you benefit:

• Buy bulk dry ingredients in week one to cover the full month.
• Order ready-made soup from Arabic restaurants when you don't have time to cook.

3. Salads & Mezze

Fattoush, tabbouleh, hummus, mutabbal, and labneh are must-haves at every iftar. Source fresh vegetables, quality tahini, pomegranate molasses, and olive oil through MnBaladna — or order ready-made mezze directly from Arabic restaurants.

How you benefit:

• Save time by ordering a mixed mezze platter on busy weeknights.
• Make it yourself on weekends using premium ingredients delivered to your door.

4. Main Dishes

Whether it's lamb mansaf, chicken maqluba, kofta bil-siniyah, or a Moroccan tagine, Arabic main courses for Ramadan require quality halal ingredients. Source your meats and specialty items from verified halal butchers and stores on the platform.

How you benefit:

• Order halal meat cuts 2–3 days before the weekend for fresh preparation.
• Request specific cuts for large gatherings — many vendors accommodate special orders.

5. Arabic Sweets

No iftar is complete without sweets. Qatayef, kunafa, basbousa, and maamoul are all available through Arabic pastry shops on MnBaladna. Many shops prepare special Ramadan boxes — order ahead.

How you benefit:

• Pre-order Ramadan sweet boxes for Eid and family gatherings.
• Surprise guests with fresh kunafa delivered on demand.

6. Arabic Ramadan Drinks

Qamar al-Din (apricot juice), tamarind juice, jallab, and fresh lemon with mint are Ramadan favorites. Look for these in liquid or concentrate form at Arabic grocery stores on the platform.

How you benefit:

• Stock up on drink concentrates in week one — they last the whole month.
• Fresh mint and lemons are available for same-day delivery for daily drinks.

Ramadan Shopping Timeline

• Week 1: Stock pantry staples — lentils, rice, spices, tahini, canned goods, and premium dates
• Weeks 2 & 3: Order fresh halal meats, vegetables, and dairy every few days via MnBaladna's 30-minute delivery
• Last 10 Nights: Pre-order Eid sweets, maamoul gift boxes, and specialty items for Laylat al-Qadr

Make This Ramadan Special

Living in the Netherlands doesn't mean compromising on the spirit or the food of Ramadan. Download MnBaladna on iOS or Android and browse our Ramadan collections. Ramadan Kareem from all of us at MnBaladna!