Food & Drink
Dubai's best breakfast spots
Tue, September 13, 2022
Experience the best start to your day at these foodie hotspots in the city.
Experience the best start to your day at these foodie hotspots in the city.
Instagrammable finds
Feast with all your senses at these picture-perfect spots
Brunch & Cake
Cassette
Kulture House
Bageri Form
Scandinavian pastries take pride of place at this homegrown Dubai Design District spot which prides itself on its authentic Danish pastries, rustic loafs and Swedish cinnamon and cardamom buns. And, although you might come for its coffee and cakes, you should sample its selection of sweet and savoury breakfast staples from topped tartines to rich eggs. Excellent coffee adds to the draw.
Vibe Cafe
EL&N Dubai
It's short for 'eat, live and nourish' and the Dubai outpost of El&n, a cafe that first found fame in London, lives up to its name. Striking pink interiors, floral flourishes and neon slogans along with pretty plating make this eatery a social media sensation. Try drinks such as the rose-flavoured Turkish Delight hot chocolate, or nibble on chicken and pink waffles, and piled-high burgers.
Bungalo34
It's secluded setting, looking out on an endless expanse of blue sea, instantly evokes holiday vibes, but that's just one of the reasons to visit this all-day spot at the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa. Helmed by restaurateur Natasha Sideris, the breakfast menu entices with recipes like a The Sunrise which layers an oat crumble, coconut cream and pineapple chips. Or opt for a decadent egg and lobster Benedict, alongside croissants, fruit and cheese platters. The casual yet chic space comes complete with changing booths for swimmers and an artisanal boutique. Book a prime table located in the soft sand on the beach.
Healthy options
Savour balanced eats and wholesome treats
SEVA
Bounty Beets
100 Café
The brainchild of local entrepreneur Asma Hilal Lootah, 100 Café embraces the healthy living ethos of idyllic The Hundred Wellness Centre, where it is located. Nourishing, plant-based dishes and juices that are free from dairy, refined sugar and gluten are still incredibly tasty. The spirulina-sprinkled Blue Moon Oats, acai bowls and fluffy pancakes shouldn't be missed while seasonal brunch specials are always a delight.
Comptoir 102
Nette at Matcha Club
Urth Caffe
A taste of America comes to Dubai's City Walk at Urth Caffe, known for its organic coffee and health-conscious plates. In keeping with the Los Angeles lifestyle, although portions are generous, the restaurant is happy to customise and swap ingredients, and adapt dishes to vegan and gluten-free diets. Regulars rave about brioche French toast, buttermilk pancakes and Belgian waffles, though the flavourful burrito and full English breakfast shouldn't be missed either.
A touch of spice
Bold flavours to start the day off on the right note
Maiz Tacos
Mexican flavours abound in Maiz Tacos' breakfast offerings, available at their Dubai Hills Estate outpost from 8am till midday on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. What could be better than starting your day with Luma Makhlouf's generous plateful of Chimmichuri-topped steak and egg tacos, an Impossible burrito or Chipotle corn guacamole on brioche with perfectly poached eggs? These are just a few of the options, with sweet offerings like dulce de leche caramel corn pancakes, and a cinnamon banana French toast with chocolate crumble and hazelnuts winning items too. The addition of crayons and Babycinos for little ones makes this a family-friendly choice that's hard to beat.
Arabian Tea House
Raju Omlet
For an 'egg-cellent' value-for-money breakfast filled with Indian street food flavours, Raju Omlet hits the spot. At this no-frills venue, you can't go wrong with a cheerful combination of fresh eggs and slow-cooked ginger tea. Start your day at one of the four locations, conveniently spread across Dubai in Karama, Business Bay, Al Quoz and Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Try the popular gravy omelette, a typical burji – Indian-style scrambled eggs – or lay low on spice with a hearty egg roll, made in a generously-layered paratha bread. Eggs for breakfast doesn't get better than this.
Bombay Bungalow
Intricate interiors, delicate spicing and a spectacular beachside setting are just three of the reasons regulars love Bombay Bungalow at The Beach opposite JBR. The popular Indian eatery has an in-demand breakfast menu that's on offer between 8am and 12pm. Flavourful, well-priced choices include a South Indian set featuring a dosa or uttapam with chutneys, and a North Indian option with paratha, potato curry and yoghurt with complimentary juice and fruit. Or try a bit of everything and go a la carte.
Yava
They're known for their sumptuous Turkish breakfast spread, with cheeses, cold cuts, jams and honey served alongside freshly-prepared eggs and warm bread, but this popular Wasl 51 restaurant has plenty of other morning treats that you can indulge in. Sit outdoors in cooler weather or get cosy in the Arabesque interiors, before tucking into everything from eggs Benedict and avocado toast to a simit bagel with egg, beef bacon and feta.
Sirali
Karak House
Set beside the towering Burj Khalifa, Karak House is a contemporary Emirati eatery popular for its trendy vibe and fusion menu of hot drinks and breakfast treats. Its namesake spiced tea loved by locals – comes in all kinds of flavours. While the restaurant's eclectic menu features international dishes such as avocado toast and Nutella french toast, that doesn't discount their flavourful foul medames (fava bean dip) or crispy asida waffles topped with dates.
Streetery Food Hall
Looking for something out of the ordinary? How about opting for an Asian-inspired morning spread? Start your day at Jumeirah Lakes Towers favourite Streetery, and dive into Congee rice porridge, spicy Thai omelettes topped with Sriracha, eggs with roti, Malay Kaya coconut jam toast or Asian pancakes with pandan jam among other tasty treats. Wash it all down with Teh Tarik spiced milk tea, or cool off with Oliang Thai iced coffee.
Special settings
Stunning vistas will elevate your morning meals
AURA Skypool
DRIFT Beach
The Farm
Harvest & Co.
Ensconced in the leafy oasis of Dubai Garden Centre, farm-to-table Harvest & Co. contrasts the industrial palette of its Al Quoz surroundings with a homely vibe. The lively farm-style open kitchen serves up seasonal and carefully-composed comfort eats. You'll enjoy the wholesome scrambled eggs seasoned with herbs, or the rich chocolate porridge which indulgently pairs dark Valrhona with black cherries, whipped bananas and vanilla cream.
Wabi Sabi
Bistro Des Arts
Mondoux
If you fancy French fare then Mondoux, with two beautiful outposts on Dubai Creek Harbour and The Beach opposite JBR, should be your first port of call for breakfast. Specialities include freshly-baked pastries – the avocado filled croissant gives you the best of both breakfast and carb worlds – with acai bowls, rich hot chocolate and smooth coffee sweetening the offer. A play area for little ones and pretty vistas complete the package.
SĀN
For breakfasts combined with a soul-reviving seaside setting, SĀN at Palm West Beach's The Club, is the place to be. A modern sanctuary inspired by ancient nature-focused philosophies, SĀN is serious about starting the day with a filling meal. Laze by the water and indulge in freshly-baked goods, exotic fruit platters and eggs as you like – poached with greens, scrambled with cheese or fried with baked beans – among many other delicious selections.
Carine
Book a terrace table offering sweeping views of the lush green Emirates Golf Course and you'll know you've started your morning right. Chef Izu's ode to his French wife sees the flakiest of patisserie – don't miss his signature almond croissants – teamed with a special blend blueberry cruffin coffee served during the weekend-only breakfast seating, from 9am till 12:30pm. Feast on feather-light crepes, eggs of every variety (we recommend the veal bacon and hazelnut Shakshuka), among other temptations at this delightful, light-filled venue.
Hip hangouts
Tom & Serg
11 Woodfire
Lana Lusa
This picturesque neighbourhood-style restaurant can be found in the chic Four Seasons Private Residences Dubai at Jumeirah. The venue features a pretty outdoor terrace with views of Dubai Canal and a menu highlighting traditional Portuguese dishes, elevated to a high standard. Service at Lana Lusa is knowledgeable and friendly, while dishes sing with authentic flavours. The décor transports you straight to Portugal, with a lot of input from the nation's artists – including colourful ceramic plates from Barcelos, and copper light fixtures and cork-fashioned menus from Porto decorating the interiors. Lana Lusa also has a vendor spot at Time Out Market Dubai.
Flat 12
Friends Avenue Cafe
Common Grounds
Family favourites
Harrie's Pancakes
Mitts and Trays
The Lighthouse
Zaroob
Reform Social Grill
Jones The Grocer
LDC Kitchen + Coffee
Ka’ak Al Manara Bakery & Café
If you're looking for a satisfying spread of Lebanese breakfast dishes, then Ka'ak Al Manara Bakery & Cafe on Al Wasl Road will tick all your boxes. Chef Fares Chahine has cooked up a menu that is not only served all day from 8am, but features highlights including Ejjeh egg bites, sunny side eggs with crispy beef awerma and shakshuka with Bulghari cheese. You will also of course find freshly baked breads, dips and a fragrant affogato coffee too.
Mama'esh
Visitors and residents alike love Hussam Hasan El Batta's Palestinian bakery Mama'esh. Regulars find any excuse to feast on their variety of topped fatayer and manaeesh – which are baked in an authentic stone oven. Order al la carte and feast on Nabulsi cheese, shakshuka eggs and sujuk sausages, or opt for their all-day breakfast platter that let you graze on all their top sellers for a bargain price,