Cafe 302

You may be surprised to find a relaxing, chilled-out breakfast cafe on bustling Hamdan Bin Mohammed Street – we certainly were – but that’s exactly what you’ll discover in Cafe 302. With hanging greenery, fancy kitchenware for sale and a menu that will please even the pickiest epicurean, this café is a great spot for breakfast (or any meal, really). Coffee lovers are particularly well catered for with Cafe 302’s signature ‘Kyoto style’ cold brew. It’s distilled for 10 to 24 hours to give it a robust, yet crisp, flavour, and it comes in a screw-top bottle so you can enjoy it on the go. Late sleepers take note though: breakfast is only served until 11am.

Location: Al Maha Arjaan By Rotana, Hamdan Bin Mohammed St, Al Danah

Phone: 02 610 6666

Cafe Arabia

One of the capital’s cosiest breakfast nooks, Cafe Arabia is housed in a converted villa and is furnished with plush armchairs and couches. True to its name, the kitchen crafts delicious Arabic favourites like foul medames, falafel and shakshouka (of both the baked and scrambled varieties), as well as western egg dishes with subtle eastern twists. If you prefer to break your fast with something sweet, try the French toast smothered in berries and huge dollops of fresh cream. Breakfast is served late into the afternoon, and some dishes are available all day.

Location: 15th St, Al Mushrif (opposite Umm Al Emarat Park)

Phone: 02 643 9699

Jim’s Kitchen Table

Pull up a chair to Jim’s Kitchen Table and join us for breakfast – at any time of the day. Although this restaurant is a bit of a slog out of the city centre, the food is definitely worth a morning drive out to Masdar City. The menu is packed with hearty favourites like breakfast burritos, omelettes and three kinds of eggs benedict, as well as pancakes and French toast. Whatever you order, be sure to get a side of the maple and thyme beef bacon. It’s so incredible delicious that you won’t even miss the pork. Vegetarians and those with gluten sensitivities are also well catered for here. 

Location: Siemens Bldg, Masdar City

Phone: 02 491 9401

Jones the Grocer

A firm Aussie favourite, Jones has five locations across the capital, meaning you’re never very far away from a great cup of coffee and a tasty morning treat. While we mourn the loss of the breakfast muffin burger, the revamped menu is still full of delightful breakfast options, which includes everything from a traditional English breakfast and hearty egg dishes, to the incredibly decadent tiramisu French toast. There is also a specials menu that changes every few weeks, so there’s always something new to try. Breakfast is served until noon during the week and until 4pm on weekends.

Five Locations: Al Mamoura, Al Raha, Al Muneera, Khalidiya and Etihad Headquarters

Website: jonesthegrocer.com

Nolu’s

Although a bit pricier than the other breakfast places listed here, a morning meal at Nolu’s is worth every dirham. Serving up a fusion of Californian and Afghani cuisine, the menu boasts healthy dishes like organic scrambles, breakfast burritios and cold-pressed juices, as well as heartier offerings like steak and eggs the Afghani way. The coffee is also top-notch. We suggest trying the cinnamon latte.  The best part about breakfast at Nolu’s, however, is the Afghani chutney. Anything savoury off the menu is best enjoyed drenched in this sweet-yet-spicy condiment. We’re crossing our fingers that they’ll start selling it by the gallon.

Two Locations: The Galleria, Al Falah St, Al Maryah Island; and Al Bandar Marina

Website: nolusrestaurants.com