In a country that contains myriad nationalities within its borders, it's no surprise that the breakfast options amount to more than just a cuppa and some toast.
Indeed, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in Dubai that go all out when it comes to helping you get the day started off right. So whether it's getting in your smashed avocado fix or indulging in some classic French toast, there's no shortage of places to try.
With that in mind, we've rounded up some of our favourite breakfast dishes, and where to find them, from across the city.
La Serre: L’avocat Benedicte de La Serre
If you can't choose between the eggs Benedict on a breakfast menu, or anything with avocado, you no longer have to. This French bistro's take on the humble eggs benny – the L’avocat Benedicte de La Serre – comes with two poached organic eggs on toasted Campaillou bread, served up with a hearty slathering of the green stuff.
Topped with veal bacon, smoked salmon, spinach or mushrooms, as well as a giant dollop of hollandaise, it's the perfect mix of a millennial's two favourite breakfast dishes and filling enough to have you firing on all engines for the rest of the day.
The price tag makes it once of the city's more expensive plates of eggs – but rest assured you're getting quality. Make sure you save room for dessert, too; the pastries at La Serre are some of the best in Dubai (try the Deauvillaise).
Price: Dh90
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai; (04) 528 3779; 7am-10pm, daily; laserre.com
Nightjar Coffee: Avo toast
It’s a simple, straightforward breakfast dish that comes with a poached egg and hazelnut caponata on a slice of sourdough bread. There are many avocado toasts out there, but this one stands out because of the way the eggs are made (yolks not too runny, whites not rubbery), the freshness of the bread and the quality of ingredients used.
Price: Dh52
Nightjar Coffee, Unit G62, Alserkal Avenue; 04 330 6635; 10am-7pm daily; nightjar.coffee
Kaak and Co by PK: PK Special Falafel
These aren’t your grandmother’s falafel.
Stuffed with stringy, melted cheese, these bites are larger than those you may be accustomed to. And for their price, they better be. While most spots sell a single falafel for Dh1, these go for almost Dh13 a pair. But you’ll still be getting your money’s worth as four of them will leave you feeling quite stuffed. Kaak and Co by PK have a number of other interesting takes on the menu for the breakfast favourite, including chilli-stuffed falafel. But it’s the PK Special that is truly a unique twist on the traditional deep-fried food.
Price: Dh12.60 for two
G10 Shorooq Community Centre, Mirdif; 04 557 1703; 9am-12am daily
Tashas: Brioche French toast
Pretty much everything on the breakfast menu at one of the UAE’s Tashas restaurants is a guaranteed win, but we always come back to the classic French toast. Served with a side of mixed berries or Italian cherry preserve and creme anglaise, the doorstop slices of fluffy brioche bread are deliciously indulgent, but worth every calorie. What’s a weekend without a treat anyway?
Price: Dh58
Tashas, various locations including Al Barsha, Al Jalila, Galleria, and Marina Mall in Dubai, and Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi; breakfast is served between 9am and 6pm; www.tashascafe.com
Cassette: sweet potato hash
These baked eggs almost veer into omelette territory, but manage to retain all the delicious breakfast goodness of two runny eggs. The dish is packed with pan-fried sweet potato cubes, red and yellow peppers, onion, Parmesan and cream cheese, and then topped with cherry tomatoes, avocado and feta. It is the kind of brunch dish that truly does keep you full until dinner time.
Order it with a long black, which always arrives perfectly brewed. The real bonus is that Cassette is one of a handful of places in the city that lets dogs inside. They are permitted to sit with you at tables in the cafe's The Courtyard seating, which are under cover and air conditioned, making it dog-friendly for the summer months. The cafe itself has super cool bistro-style interiors, with neutral furniture and mint green accents.
Price: Dh58
Cassette, The Courtyard, 4th Street, Al Quoz, Dubai; 04 349 1966; 8am-6pm, daily; cassette.ae
Saravana Bhavan: Masala dosa
This Indian vegetarian restaurant has branches around the world, and there’s a reason why it’s so famous: the food is simply that good.
Saravana Bhavan has a "dosa corner" section of the menu with everything ranging from a plain dosa (a crispy, savoury rice crepe) to a baby corn masala dosa. It’s honestly difficult to choose just one but start with a masala dosa, which will arrive on your table looking bigger than the plate. Served piping hot, with potato in the centre and helpings of chutney and sambar, this is a winner.
Classic dosas are gluten-free and dairy free, and a wonderful way to start the day.
Price: Dh12 for a masala dosa; most dosas are priced below Dh20.
Multiple branches in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah; www.saravanabhavan
Hot n Spicy: Halwa puri
This Pakistani / North Indian joint is known for its rolls and chicken handi curry, but every weekend it has a special breakfast menu, which includes halwa puri. The classic Pakistani breakfast dish serves fluffy puris – a type of deep-fried savoury bread – with sweet halwa (made from semolina), spicy channa (chickpeas) and a potato curry. This isn’t exactly the healthiest of breakfasts, but well worth a taste if you’re up for trying something new.
Price: Dh21
Branches in Barsha Heights, Business Bay and Jumeirah Lakes Towers; timings vary; 04 368 8508; www.hotnspicy.ae
Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant: The mini tiffin
There is nothing mini about this dish, and it isn't served in a tiffin, either. It's a platter featuring the best South Indian breakfast dishes in slightly smaller portions. You get a masala dosa, vada, button idlis dunked in sambar, upma and a sweet dish. It all comes piping hot, jam-packed full of flavour and you can wash it all down with a complimentary tea or filter coffee. It's a humble and pocket-friendly breakfast option and, if you indulge late morning, there will be no need for lunch.
Price: Dh18.50
Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant, various locations across Abu Dhabi and Dubai; www.sangeethaveg.com
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Read more:
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From Pickl to Bareburger: where to find the best burgers in Dubai
7 of the best breakfasts in Abu Dhabi: from vegan pancakes to moreish manakeesh
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