The Ramadan Night Life!
One of the aspects of Dhaka life we complain about is that we, Dhakaites, have nothing to do in Dhaka! Ironically, there is so much to do in the month of Ramadan, especially when the city is scheduled to call it a day. As soon as Taraweeh prayers end late into the night, places like Nazira Bazar and Gulshan begin to fill up with people ready to eat more, mingle and maybe do a little bit of shopping. In fact, we at the Star Weekend are calling it the Ramadan Night Life, where sehri get togethers are organised!
What started off as a facebook check in from a few friends, became one of the biggest trends Dhaka people have followed. A couple of years ago the sehri trend started off at the famous Al Razzak restaurant. People from different parts of the city visit Nazira Bazar to dine with friends and family. Al Razzak, and similar places around, are packed with foodies lining up outside. Places like Nazimuddin Road and Chak Bazar bring out their festive mood with Nanna Biriyani, Mamun Biriyani, Bismillah Kabab etc. “After 1 pm, you will see horrible traffic right where Nazimuddin Road begins," says Gafarullah, manager of Nanna Biriyani. "This happens because of the sehri rush. Ramadan is our busiest month and we even hire extra people to manage the extra work!”
Areas in newer part of the city, like Uttara, Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi have caught up with the sehri hype as well. One restaurant that is brimming with people is Nandos. This Portuguese restaurant serves sehri in Gulshan, Banani and Dhanmondi. With their irresistible sehri offers, Nandos has introduced a new dimension to the sehri menu other than the regular Biriyani or Tehari. “It's a lot less hassle than going to old Dhaka," says Sadaf, a regular at Nandos sehri customer. "You can sit here for quite a while which is fun when eating sehri with friends.”
The whole sehri fiesta not only just serves as a place to eat, but it brings out the festivity of Ramadan. After sehri, people are seen hanging out in places such as Hatirjhil, Rabindra Sharabar or TSC, enjoying Dhaka at night.
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