- Ramadan 2027 is expected to start around 8 February 2027, subject to the moon sighting. Iftar bookings start two to three weeks earlier.
- Most requests arrive on WhatsApp, often for groups of 6 to 20, with questions about the menu, prayer area and price per person.
- Confirm the day before and on the day, with the exact Maghrib time: arrivals must happen before sunset.
- A waitlist on WhatsApp turns late cancellations into full tables.
Why iftar is different from any other service
A normal dinner service spreads arrivals over three hours. Iftar concentrates them into fifteen minutes before sunset. A group that arrives ten minutes late breaks its fast in the car. A table that stays empty cannot be resold, because everyone else has already eaten.
That is why iftar bookings need more confirmation, not less, and why WhatsApp, where guests actually reply, is the right channel.
The questions every guest asks
| Question | What the agent answers |
|---|---|
| Price per person | Set menu or buffet price, children’s price, what is included |
| Menu | Dates, soup, mains, desserts; vegetarian options |
| Group size | Maximum per table, private area for large groups |
| Prayer area | Whether a prayer space is available after iftar |
| Timing | Arrival time before Maghrib, how long the table is kept |
| Suhoor | Whether you open late, and the suhoor menu |
The confirmation sequence
- At booking: summary with date, guests, price, arrival time before Maghrib, location pin.
- The day before: confirm with a one-word reply, adjust the headcount.
- Three hours before sunset: short reminder with the arrival time and parking.
- When a table is cancelled: offer it to the waitlist immediately.
- The day after: thank you, review link, and a suhoor or Eid offer for those who opted in.
Deposits for large groups
For groups above eight, many restaurants ask for a deposit. A payment link sent in the conversation, with a clear cancellation deadline, reduces no-shows without adding phone calls. The agent sends it, the team confirms receipt.
Timing your messages around the fast
Do not send reminders during the last hour before iftar, when people are driving home or preparing. Late morning and early afternoon work best. After Taraweeh is a good time for suhoor offers. Our guide to Ramadan marketing in the Gulf and the best time to send in the Gulf go into detail.
Booking confirmations are utility messages; Ramadan offers are marketing and need consent (WhatsApp Business policy). For the complete restaurant setup, see WhatsApp for restaurants in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Sources: WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy
Frequently asked questions
When should restaurants open iftar bookings?
Two to three weeks before Ramadan. Large groups and corporate iftars book early; weekend evenings fill first.
How do you reduce iftar no-shows?
Confirm the day before and three hours before sunset, ask for a deposit for large groups, and run a WhatsApp waitlist to refill cancelled tables.
Can an AI agent take iftar bookings?
Yes. It answers menu and price questions, checks availability, books the table and sends reminders with the exact Maghrib time. Special requests go to the team.
When should Ramadan messages be sent?
Late morning or early afternoon for bookings and reminders; after Taraweeh for suhoor. Avoid the last hour before iftar.