Photo : BSS

DHAKA, March 16, 2026 (BSS) - Even in the closing days of the Holy month of 
Ramadan, the capital's traditional iftar markets in old Dhaka remain vibrant 
and bustling with shoppers.
 
Large crowds are gathering, particularly in the historic iftar markets of Old 
Dhaka, including Chawkbazar and the Sadarghat area where people are rushing 
to buy their favorite delicacies for iftar.

On Monday afternoon, a visit to several areas such as Ray Saheb Bazar, 
Laxmibazar, Banglabazar, Tanti Bazar, Sadarghat, Dholaikhal and Chawkbazar 
revealed rows of stalls displaying a wide variety of traditional foods. 
Vendors were seen busy serving customers and meeting the strong demand for 
iftar items.

The renowned iftar market at Chawkbazar has once again turned into a lively 
hub of culinary attractions.
 

Vendors there have arranged an impressive array of mouth-watering dishes, 
including beguni (fried eggplant), onion fritters, potato chops, kebabs, 
chicken roast, chana matha, spicy chicken fry, haleem, jilapi, a variety of 
sherbets, falooda, borhani, mutton roast, almond sherbet, doi bora, keema 
paratha, ghugni, laban and roasted quail, among many others.

Shoppers thronged the stalls, with many buying iftar for their families while 
others purchased food to share with friends and colleagues.

Businessman Raihan Uddin, who came to Chawkbazar to buy iftar, said he visits 
the market regularly. "I bring iftar from here almost every day. We have five 
employees in our shop and they all love the food from this market. Even some 
of our customers join us for iftar at the shop," he said, adding that the 
food from the area is popular among local traders and workers.

Another visitor, Md Belayet from Wari, said he came to buy special iftar 
items for his family as Ramadan approaches its final days. "The taste of 
Chawkbazar's iftar is unique. We especially enjoy the roasted quail and 
jilapi here. That's why we try to buy iftar from here every year," he said.

Mahmudul Islam, another customer, noted that the variety of food available in 
the market is one of its main attractions. "Although the price of some items 
seems a bit high, people still come here because of the taste and the long-
standing tradition. Today I came with friends to buy iftar together," he 
said.

Meanwhile, the iftar market at Sadarghat is also witnessing brisk business. 
Passengers traveling by river launches, day laborers and residents of nearby 
neighborhoods often purchase their iftar from this area. Alongside fried 
snacks and drinks, fruit stalls are also drawing significant crowds.

Abdul Matin, a customer at Sadarghat, said he regularly buys iftar from the 
area after work. "The prices here are relatively affordable and the items are 
easily available, so I prefer buying from here," he said.

Vendors in the Sadarghat area said sales rose noticeably during the final 
week of Ramadan due to the surge in launch passengers. From late afternoon 
until just before iftar, they remain extremely busy serving customers.

Abdul Kader, an iftar vendor at Chawkbazar, told BSS that sales typically 
pick up toward the end of Ramadan. "At the beginning of the month business is 
a bit slow, but in the last few days the number of customers has increased 
significantly. Now we are having good sales every day, especially during the 
hour before iftar," he said.

Another vendor in the Sadarghat area, Md Jasim Uddin, said the pressure of 
customers intensifies as iftar time approaches. "Sometimes it becomes 
difficult to manage the crowd, but we always try to provide quality food to 
our customers," he added.