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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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
MATCH INFO
World Cup qualifier
Thailand 2 (Dangda 26', Panya 51')
UAE 1 (Mabkhout 45 2')
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HIJRA
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Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
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Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
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Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
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1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
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5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Score
Third Test, Day 2
New Zealand 274
Pakistan 139-3 (61 ov)
Pakistan trail by 135 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the innings
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
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Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
Specs
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Range: 400km
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Torque: 175Nm
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Director: Jordan Peele
Stars: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford
Four stars
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