What’s On lists new contenders for the best breakfast in Dubai, including Frioul Bistro De Luxe, Ultra Brasserie, Life N One and The Scene.

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– New cafes
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Breakfast is so hot right now – check out these new morning meals.

Frioul Bistro De Luxe
For sheer tranquility Frioul Bistro De Luxe at the Madinat – winner of two hats in The Black Hat Guide – is hard to beat in Dubai, and that’s why its decision to start serving breakfast makes perfect sense. This peaceful spot on the Madinat waterfront gets dappled sunshine on its terrace, making it a blissful location to work your way through a big cafetieres of coffee (four cups for Dhs20 is a bargain), nibble on warm pastries or sip a healthy juice such as kale, beetroot, and ginger.

We tried a potato rosti, with half a grilled tomato and a fried duck egg on top. Small, yes, but enough, and not overpriced at Dhs45. Two perfectly poached eggs on sourdough with mushrooms was simple and tasty. The toasted granola with yoghurt and honey, while the bircher muesli, sweetened with agave syrup, screamed goodness. 

A basket of mini pastries contained a pain au chocolat, pain au raisin, brioche, plain croissant and an almond croissant, and came with two pots of refreshingly unusual jam: grapefruit and ginger, and strawberry and cinnamon.

On a practical level, this breakfast, served from 8am to noon, is convenient. At that time of the morning, the Madinat car park is empty so you can park right by the barrier, walk back up the ramp, and you’re there in 20 seconds.

Souk Madinat, Dubai, Sat to Wed 8am to 1am, Thur to Sat 8am to 3am. Tel: (04) 5670011. Taxi: Souk Madinat. frioulbistrodeluxe.com 

Frioul Bistro de Luxe

Ultra Brasserie
Even though it’s hidden in Marina Plaza, around the back of the Marina Mall, behind the H&M store on level G (be patient, you’ll find it eventually) Ultra Brasserie has already garnered a loyal band of breakfast fans. 

With a branch in Emaar Square, Ultra – winner of one hat in The Black Hat Guide – has expanded in the Marina, serving up a similar menu of healthy dishes. The dish everyone’s talking about – quite rightly – is the smashed avocado with poached eggs, ricotta, and dukka lime salsa on a slice of toasted bloomer (Dhs40). The zest of the lime woke up the avocado, the eggs were perfectly runny and the bread was nicely toasted. For anybody who’s had an early morning workout, the massive chicken and mushroom omelette was a power breakfast of the highest order. The terrace has about eight tables, with big umbrellas for shade. Views of the marina are partially obscured by Pier 7, while in the other direction, there’s a building site. But no matter. The service is friendly, the food is tasty and quick to come, and the coffee from Raw is excellent.

Marina Plaza, Dubai Marina, daily 7am to 10pm. Tel: (04) 2775644. Metro: Dubai Marina. ultra.ae 

Ultra Brasserie

Other new brekkie spots to try:

Chikalicious
Not to be filed in the ‘healthy eating’ category, the new brekkie menu at Chikalicious in The Village Mall, Jumeirah, has French toast and pancakes. Look out for the Dough’ssant Benedict: poached egg, a slice of turkey and Hollandaise sauce, served on top of their famous croissant/donut hybrid.
Village Mall, Jumeirah 1, Dubai, Sat to Wed 10am to 11pm, Thur and Fri 10am to midnight. Tel: (04) 3444700. Taxi: Village Mall. facebook.com/chikaliciousme

Chikalicious

Carluccio’s on The Beach
Here’s one for the early birds out there: the new Carluccio’s on The Beach in JBR opens at 8am every day. The pastries will still be warm at that time of the day.
The Beach Opposite JBR, Dubai Marina, Sun to Wed 8am to midnight, Thur to Sat 8am to 2am. Tel: (0)4 5520802. Metro: Dubai Marina. carluccios.com

Courtyard
The newly-reopened Manzil Hotel in Downtown serves breakfast at its shady Courtyard restaurant.
vida-hotels.com

Angelina Parisian
Following on from its successful opening in The Dubai Mall, Angelina Parisian tearoom is now open down the road in Mall Of The Emirates.
facebook.com/Angelinadxb

Angelina

The Scene
Located in Pier 7, The Scene has started serving good old fashioned British breakfasts.
Pier 7, Dubai Marina, Dubai, daily 10am to 2am. Tel: (04) 4222328. Metro: JLT. facebook.com/TheSceneDubai

Life N One
The new wellness centre in Jumeirah 1, is an all vegan café serving up breakfast.
facebook.com/LifeNOneDubai

life n one

Chez Amy’s
This is a new cosy café in Jumeirah Park Pavilion offering healthy brekkie with gluten-free options. Loui’s Restaurant & Café has opened here too, serving breakfast from 7am.
facebook.com/chezamysdubai