Iftar evening shopping list

An Iftar evening needs more than ingredients for the main meal. You also need enough bowls, plates, glasses, serving equipment and preparation supplies to break the fast smoothly and serve everyone without delays. Plan quantities from your confirmed guest count, then add a small buffer for breakage, spills and seconds. Keep drinks chilled, prepare separate allergen labels, and make sure hot dishes can stay warm while guests begin with dates, fruit, bread and soup.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 70
Buffet tablesqty 3
Reception desk
Clothing rack

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 75
Soup bowlsqty 75
Dessert platesqty 75
Glassesqty 100
Cupsqty 70
Forksqty 80
Knivesqty 80
Spoonsqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 12
Water jugsqty 10
Thermos flasksqty 6

Catering

Bain-marie traysqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving trays with lidsqty 4
Table runnersqty 10
Napkinsqty 150
Groceries
- Medjool dates - 5 kilogram
- Dried apricots - 2 kilograms
- Chickpeas - 3 kilograms
- Red lentils - 3 kilograms
- Onions - 5 kilograms
- Garlic - 8 bulbs
- Winter carrots - 4 kilogram
- Celery - 2 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 5 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 4 kilogram
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Courgettes - 3 kilograms
- Eggplants - 3 kilogram
- Spinach - 2 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Coriander - 8 bunches
- Parsley - 8 bunches
- Mint - 6 bunches
- Lemons - 5 kilograms
- Limes - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 5 kilograms
- Bananas - 4 kilogram
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Melons - 4 pieces
- Chicken breast - 8 kilogram
- Ground beef - 5 kilogram
- Beef stew meat - 7 kilogram
- Basmati rice - 8 kilograms
- Couscous - 4 kilograms
- Potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Diced tomatoes - 12 cans
- Tomato puree - 8 tubes
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Vegetable broth - 12 liters
- Chicken broth - 8 liters
- Olive oil - 5 liters
- Sunflower oil - 3 liters
- Salt - 1 kilogram
- Black pepper - 250 grams
- Cumin - 250 grams
- Turmeric - 250 gram
- Paprika powder - 250 gram
- Cinnamon - 150 grams
- Ginger powder - 150 grams
- Chili powder - 100 gram
- Harissa - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 liter
- Garlic sauce - 2 liters
- Ketchup - 2 liters
- Turkish bread - 12 pieces
- Pita bread - 100 pieces
- Puff pastry - 20 sheets
- Feta - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 3 kilograms
- Raisins - 2 kilograms
- Almonds - 2 kilograms
- Walnuts - 2 kilograms
- Baklava - 6 kilograms
- Yogurt - 6 kilogram
- Honey - 2 kilograms
- Vanilla pudding - 5 liters
- Cream - 3 liter
- Sugar - 4 kilogram
- Coffee - 2 kilograms
- Black tea - 3 boxes
- Herbal tea - 3 boxes
- Fresh mint tea - 12 bunches
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Water - 60 liters
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 8 liters
- Mango Juice - 8 liters
- Lemon syrup - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 20 kilograms
- Coffee filters - 2 packs
- Tea filters - 2 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Liquid dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Disinfectant spray - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Hand gel - 3 bottles
- Aluminum trays - 80 pieces
- Storage containers - 30 pieces
- Freezer bags - 2 packs
- Labels - 2 packs
- Napkins - 150 pieces

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring jugsqty 3
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 4
Cling filmqty 3

Equipment

Hot platesqty 4
Kettlesqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Microphone
Speakerqty 2

Decorations

Table décorqty 10
Buntingqty 8
Name badgesqty 70
Menusqty 12

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 6
LED lanternsqty 8

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Hand soap dispensersqty 3
Glovesqty 12

Tips

Plan one dinner plate, soup bowl, dessert plate, glass, cup, fork, knife and spoon per guest, plus 10% extra. For 40 guests, that means 44 of each item where possible.
Provide at least one serving spoon or utensil per dish, and add extra platters and trays for bread, dates, fruit, salads and desserts. Covered serving trays are useful if food must travel from the kitchen.
Allow one water jug for every 8–10 guests and keep additional glasses nearby. For 40 guests, prepare at least four jugs and 44 glasses rather than relying on one shared refill point.
For hot food, arrange enough bain-marie trays or hot plates to hold every main dish and soup container at serving time. Check access to kettles and thermos flasks before guests arrive, especially if hot drinks are served after the meal.
Buy kitchen consumables as well as food: keep at least one roll of cling film and aluminum foil, several cutting boards and chef’s knives, and enough napkins for two per guest. Set aside separate serving tools for dishes with allergens.

Frequently asked questions

How many plates and bowls do I need for an Iftar evening?: Plan one dinner plate, soup bowl and dessert plate per guest, then add 10% extra. For 40 guests, prepare 44 dinner plates, 44 soup bowls and 44 dessert plates.
How many glasses and cups are needed for Iftar?: Use one glass and one cup per guest, with 10% spare. For 40 people, that is 44 glasses and 44 cups, plus four to five water jugs for refills.
How much serving equipment should I buy for an Iftar buffet?: Provide at least one serving spoon or utensil for every dish, and one serving platter or tray for each food group that needs its own container. Confirm the final menu before shopping so every dish has suitable equipment.
When should I buy fresh produce for an Iftar evening?: Buy fresh vegetables, fruit, herbs and bread on the day before or the day of the event, depending on storage space. Collect delicate produce as close to serving time as possible, then wash and cut it before guests arrive.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.