The Courtyard in Al Quoz just keeps getting better and better…

“Where shall we go for breakfast?”

Six seemingly innocent words that induce the kind of all out crazy debate usually reserved for world summits…

Hoping to capture hungry hearts is Cassette, the brand new breakfast beauty located in the unassuming Al Quoz Courtyard.

The neighbourhood-within-a-neighbourhood is already home to beloved theatre space The Courtyard Playhouse, and The Collective ­– a lovely little enclave of boutique shops including Tribe, Georges Of Dubai, and Boston Lane.

 

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Cassette is an impressive size for first-time restaurateur Haider Madani. To help with interior design Haider called in superstar design pros H2R Design. (These are the guys who helped design venues such as Parkers, Tom & Serg, and Symphony at Dubai Mall).

The result is really pleasing: metal beams have been painted mint; fun Middle-Eastern-inspired prints adorn the walls; there’s a long L-shaped coffee counter in one corner and plenty of breathing space between tables. Despite the size, they’ve managed to make Cassette feel very comfortable and inviting.


Gorgeous interiors courtesy of H2R Design

As the name suggests, music also plays a very big part at Cassette. Special ceiling foam helps to cushion the surround sound while the cafes playlists have been carefully curated.


Vinyls for sale at Cassette

The menu is extensive, serving brekkie favourites such as a classic Benedict (Dhs55), avocado smash (Dhs52), and French toast (Dhs44), along with a few Cassette signature twists including a no carb Benedict (Dhs65) and savoury waffle duck confit (Dhs78).

Meanwhile, coffee lovers will appreciate the use of Seven Fortunes’ beans – the local roastery of choice used at many of the best cafes around town.

On our Saturday morning visit – ­a mere five days fresh from opening – Cassette was full with large groups, couples, post-workout posse and locals, with almost everyone snapping pics. It’s no wonder Cassette has already been a hit on Instagram.


The Courtyard in Al Quoz remains one of Dubai’s hidden gems. But for how long?

We ordered the weekend breakfast special potato hash with chopped baby tomatoes, a few slivers of avo and two baked eggs. The sweet potato was cut in teeny cubes, charred ever so slightly and perfectly seasoned. A faultless dish.

A similar success, the avo smash (Dhs52), was a generous dollop of creamy avo on deliciously chewy bread, sprinkled with feta. We could have eaten triple the portion.


Smashing avo smash, anyone?

Our only gripe? Service was hit and miss. Menus had to be requested twice but the coffee arrived fast; main dishes arrived on time, but our sticky toffee dessert took well over 25 minutes. Arguably a bout of teething problems, but one they’ll need to address if they want to match up to the city’s big (brekkie) hitters.

Cassette, The Courtyard, Al Quoz, daily 8am to 6pm. Tel: (04) 3491966. @cassettedxb