The ultimate guide to breakfast spots to check out in Abu Dhabi
From the perfect avo toast to acai bowls, smoked salmon bagels and more…
They say that the most important meal of the day is breakfast, so why not head out and enjoy a lovely breakfast at one of the many gorgeous cafes in Abu Dhabi? The capital has countless stunning cafes to choose from for any time of the day, but we have to admit that we are a sucker for a chic breakfast spot, and Abu Dhabi has many of them.
Here are some of the best places to check out for breakfast in Abu Dhabi.
Art House Abu Dhabi
View this post on Instagram
Art on the walls, art on the plates, art in their heart. This cafe is all about providing a passionate experience, and their breakfast offering is no different. They’ve got a humongous menu but their famous shakshoka is probably our pick of the brunch. If you’re looking for something even healthier, the mixed berries, acai and granola bowl is another crowd-pleaser.
Al Huwelat St, Bateen Area, Opp Al Bateen Villa No 15, 9am to 11pm, dishes from Dhs38. Tel: (02) 666 0175. @arthousecafead
Brunch & Cake
The breakfast fiesta known as Brunch & Cake has landed in Abu Dhabi, with the opening of the city’s very first outlet in the appropriately picturesque district of Marsa Al Bateen Marina. The Dubai locations have become breakfast date spots of note, with a joyful mix of aesthetics on the walls and on the palate. Exclusive Abu Dhabi bites include the New York cheesecake style ricotta pancakes, pepperoni pizza with chilli honey jam, deep fried pizza bites, and burrata toast. This is of course in addition to menu favourites from the other UAE locations.
Marsa Al Bateen Marina, Shop 9, Abu Dhabi. Sun to Wed 8am to 10pm, Thursdays and Saturdays 8am to 10.30pm. @brunchandcake
Somewhere
View this post on Instagram
The stunningly Instagrammable cafe with branches in Saudi and Dubai can now be found in Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. That’s right, you are now covered for a certifiable best breakfast in Abu Dhabi jam-packed with stunning dishes that are too pretty to eat and of course interiors to match.
Somewhere, Marina Mall, Al Kasir, Abu Dhabi, weekdays Sun to Thurs 12pm to 10pm, weekend Fri to Sat 12pm to 12am, now open. Tel: (0) 56 141 5517. @somewhere
Montauk Boutique Cafe & Restaurant
Montauk Boutique Cafe & Restaurant is a self-described ‘Hamptons-inspired’ experience. The concept was developed by Emirati owner and founder Chef Mariam Almansoori, and aims to provide the capital’s cafe connoisseurs with a new place to choose their favourite brews in uncontrived luxury. And it’s breakfast where this charming venue really shines. Items on the most important meal of the day menu include avocado, beetroot and cheese toasties; Turkish eggs with herb labneh; scrambled egg shakshuka; custard-soaked French toast; homemade granola with honey & berries; and cream cheese sesame bagels.
Al Bateen, open 10am to 10pm daily, @montaukabudhabi
Sanderson’s
This cafe is UAE-based culinary kingpin Sergio Lopez’s first solo venture in the capital and it’s blessed with that kind of class that goes right down to the marrow. The breakfast menu is filled with bright, innovative, devastatingly attractive taste-led experiences, such as cheesy moutabell (Dhs59), sweet potato breakfast pizza (Dhs59), B.E.L.T croissant (bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato) (Dhs59), tahini avo toast (Dhs59) and that’s just for smouldering starters.
Al Seef Compound, Behind Al Seef Village Mall, Khalifa Park Area, 8am to 8.30pm, from around Dhs57. Tel: (02) 222 1142. @wearesandersons
Things
View this post on Instagram
Pastries galore, coffee to boot, and a breakfast menu that would make any foodie’s heart melt. Things specialise in coffee and is a concept store that you will want to check out the next time you’re looking for Things to do in the capital – see what we did there?
Things, Al Mireef street, Khalifa City, open 8am to 10.30pm daily. @wearethings
Alkalime
If you’re after a healthy and homegrown spot for all your important breakfast gatherings, then look no further than Alkalime. This boho-chic venue is the perfect restaurant for those looking for a healthy start to the day that looks as good as it tastes. Their current winter and autumn feature a wide range of delicious egg-based dishes such as huevos rancheros, Dukkah eggs, and a delicious omelette. They also cater to keto and paleo diets.
Alkalime, Jacques Chirac St, Al Sa’Diyat Cultural, Cultural District, open daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (0)54 449 1547 @alkalime_uae
Pal Cafe
View this post on Instagram
Serving up a surfs-up attitude – and an all-day breakfast, Pal is the place that makes sure all your breakfast cravings are satisfied. From acai bowls to cheeky egg Benedict, and even shakshouka they have got us covered for a laid-back and beautiful breakfast spot to check out.
Pal Cafe, Al Mireef street Khalifa City, open Mon to Fri 6.30am to 11pm, Sat and Sun 7am to midnight. @palcafe.ae
Cave
Despite only having been open for a few months, the venue’s subterranean-style surrounds and audaciously-aesthetic menu items have proven to be powerful Gram magnets. The menu is boutique and busy with an authentic European flavour, presented in gallery-level gilding. For a full review of Cave, click here.
Al Qana, open daily 9am to midnight. @cave.tapas
Jones The Grocer
View this post on Instagram
A quintessential breakfast experience across the whole of the UAE belongs to none other than Jones The Grocer. This fantastic Australian restaurant is an ideal spot to enjoy the classic avo on toast or eggs Florentine. Alternatively, try out the egg in the hole, which is a delicious combination of cream cheese, a potato roasti, eggs, beef bacon, and avocado served with bois boudran in a bagel. Yum.
Various locations around Abu Dhabi. jonesthegrocer.com
1762
If you’re looking for a fun fact as well as a place to enjoy a gourmet breakfast, then this is the place for you. First, for a fun fact, the restaurant is named after the year that the sandwich was invented, 1762. Now onto the food – the food may not be the cheapest in town but the quality is high and the venue has a laidback vibe. Expect melted cheese croissants, salmon bagels, and muesli bowls.
1762, Al Ain Tower, Corniche, Abu Dhabi, daily 8am to 10pm. Tel: (0)4 255 1762. 1762.ae
Space
View this post on Instagram
Bright and intriguing, another cafe to hit the Al Qana scene. Space is chic, and calming and reminds us of a certain celeb’s house that is known for her double K initials. Sleek, is possibly the best word to use to describe the gorgeous venue. Decadent desserts, and scrumptious dishes for any meal time await.
Space, Al Qana, Sun to Thu 8am to 12am, Thu and Fri 8am to 1am. @spaceae
tashas café
A South African brand, every branch of tashas café is a little different, particularly with regard to the food offerings; each outlet has its own signature menu. The best breakfast sellers at their venue in Al Bateen include the creamed avo on toast and brioche French toast. Specialities at this Marina spot include Spanish eggs and the toasted sesame breakfast bun.
tashas café Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, 8am to 11pm weekdays, 8am to 12am weekends. Tel: (02) 445 0890. tashascafe.com
Cafe Arabia
View this post on Instagram
A former What’s On Award winner, the classic furnishings of Cafe Arabia make it feel like a second home. The breakfast menu features a vegan Arabian breakfast with foul medames, falafel, hummus and vegetables, English and American breakfasts, mueslis and porridge bowls, and a section of the menu dedicated to eggs, with dishes such as shakshouka and eggs benedict.
Mohammed bin Khalifa Street, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, daily from 8am to 11pm. Tel: (02) 643 9699. cafearabia.business.site
Cafe 302
Its slightly rustic feel and huge selection of products you can buy to take home, such as oils and jams, help this Abu Dhabi breakfast spot stand out from the crowd. They also have a whole host of delicious breakfast options, such as their full English breakfast Box.
Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, daily 6am to 11pm. Tel: (0)2 610 6666. rotana.com
Nolu’s
Californian cuisine meets Afghani cooking at this delightful restaurant. The popular eggs on French organic bread served with roast potatoes or fruit salad is among our favourite breakfast dishes in the capital. The menu has a breakfast bowls section with ingredients such as acai making an appearance, plus a toast section including a bagel with edamame.
Various locations around Abu Dhabi, daily 8am to 11pm. Tel: (02) 444 8080. facebook.com/nolusrestaurants
L’ETO
With branches scattered around Abu Dhabi, L’ETO is the perfect place to catch a quick and delicious bite as well as a pic or two for your Insta feed. Every branch of L’Eto is slightly different with accents and furniture for a unique feel. Their crepes and pancakes are a definite must-try.
Various locations around Abu Dhabi. letocaffe.ae
Images: Socials and supplied
