Ramadan is a special time in Indonesia, a month of fasting, reflection, and community. For you, it’s also a time to adapt and make the most of the unique opportunities this holy month brings. While some might think Ramadan is a slow period for food businesses, it doesn’t have to be. With the right strategies, you can not only avoid losses but also thrive during this time. Let’s talk about how you can make the most of Ramadan 2025.
Adjust Your Working Hours
During Ramadan in Indonesia, people’s eating habits change. The focus shifts to two main meals: suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) and iftar (the evening meal to break the fast). Many people look forward to iftar as a time to gather with family and friends. This means your busiest times will likely be in the evening.
Instead of operating during regular hours, consider shifting your focus to the evening. Open your doors a few hours before iftar and stay open late into the night. This way, you can cater to those who want to enjoy a meal after breaking their fast. Some customers might also be interested in a suhoor buffet, so you could consider opening early in the morning for a few hours to serve this meal.
By aligning your hours with your customers’ needs, you’ll be able to serve them better and make the most of this busy period.
Remove Alcohol and Introduce Special Ramadan Menus
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, and many people avoid alcohol during this month. To respect this, it’s a good idea to temporarily remove alcohol from your menu. Instead, focus on offering refreshing non-alcoholic drinks like es buah (fruit cocktail), sirup (syrup-based drinks), or teh tarik (pulled tea).
Another great way to attract customers is by introducing special Ramadan dishes. Think about creating an iftar buffet Ramadan with traditional favorites like opor ayam (chicken in coconut milk), rendang (spicy beef stew), kolak (sweet banana and coconut milk dessert), and soto ayam (chicken soup). You could also offer a suhoor buffet with lighter options like nasi goreng (fried rice), bubur ayam (chicken porridge), and martabak telur (stuffed pancake).
Seasonal menus not only attract customers but also show that you respect and celebrate the traditions of Ramadan.
Keep Your Customers Informed About Open Hours
One of the biggest challenges during Ramadan is making sure your customers know when you’re open. Many people assume that restaurants are closed or have limited hours during this time. To avoid confusion, clearly communicate your open hours.
You can do this by updating your social media pages, putting up signs outside your restaurant, and using tools like EasyEat to send SMS notifications to your customers. EasyEat’s SMS marketing feature lets you send messages about your iftar buffet Ramadan or suhoor buffet timings, special offers, and even reminders about reservations. This way, your customers will always know when they can visit you.
Use EasyEat to Manage Reservations
Ramadan is a busy time, and managing everything on your own can be overwhelming. This is where EasyEat can help. EasyEat is a tool that makes it easy for you to manage reservations, especially during peak times like Iftar and suhoor.
With EasyEat, your customers can book tables online, and you’ll know exactly how many people to expect. This helps you stay prepared and avoid overbooking or running out of food. Plus, EasyEat’s SMS feature lets you send reminders and updates to your customers, so they don’t forget their reservations.
If you’re fasting yourself, EasyEat can take some of the stress off your shoulders. It handles the details, so you can focus on serving your customers and observing Ramadan. You can let your staff also take a break and let them observe their fasts.
Some people think it’s easier to shut down during Ramadan, but that’s not always the best idea. With the right adjustments, you can keep your restaurant open and even see an increase in customers.
By offering special menus, adjusting your hours, and using tools like EasyEat, you can create a stress-free experience for yourself and a memorable one for your customers. Ramadan is a time of community and togetherness, and your restaurant can be a part of that.
FAQs
- What is the best time to open my restaurant during Ramadan in Indonesia?
The best time to open is during the evening for iftar and early morning for suhoor. These are the times when people are most likely to dine out. - Should I remove alcohol from my menu during Ramadan?
Yes, it’s a good idea to remove alcohol during Ramadan as many people avoid it during this holy month. - What dishes should I include in my iftar buffet Ramadan menu?
Include traditional dishes like opor ayam, rendang, kolak, and soto ayam. These are popular choices during Ramadan. - How can I let customers know about my open hours during Ramadan?
Use tools like EasyEat to send SMS updates, post on social media, and put up signs outside your restaurant. - Can EasyEat help me manage reservations during Ramadan?
Yes, EasyEat makes it easy to manage reservations and send reminders to your customers, so you can stay organized and stress-free.
Ramadan 2025 doesn’t have to be a challenging time for you. By making a few changes and using the right tools, you can avoid losses and even grow your business. Focus on serving your customers during iftar and suhoor, introduce special Ramadan dishes, and keep everyone informed about your open hours.
EasyEat can be your partner in making this Ramadan a success. It helps you manage reservations, send updates, and stay organized—so you can focus on what you do best: serving great food and creating a welcoming space for your community.
Ramadan is a time of opportunity and that’s why you should keep your eyes open and look for any kind of offers from EasyEat. Also, you should check out this Sharia-compliant loan offered by the FEAST. You don’t have to pay any interest on these loans.
