The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Dubai

This blog post is all about the best breakfast and brunch spots in Dubai.

If you’ve followed me on social media for more than one week, you’ll know that I consider myself a brunch connoisseur.

And brunch in Dubai is a pretty big deal.

This usually involves bottomless drinks, and is something I highly recommend if you are visiting Dubai with a group.

It’s hard to know how good the avocado toast is after a few mimosas, so my list of the best brunch spots in Dubai is purely based on the food only and not the bottomless brunch experience.

I’ve put together some of my favourite Dubai brunch spots, from long-standing cafe institutions to beachside restaurants and neighbourhood gems.

If you’re looking for where to have brunch in Dubai, these are the places I’d recommend adding to your list.

RELATED Brunch Spots in Dubai blog posts to read:

If you want to see everything we got up to during our trip to Dubai, including the brunch spots in Dubai that we dined at ourselves, check out my Dubai travel vlog over on YouTube:

Table of Contents

The 11 Best Brunch Spots in Dubai

Dubai takes brunch very seriously, and honestly, I completely understand why.

Whether you’re after a relaxed breakfast with excellent coffee, a plate of eggs and avocado, or a much more glamorous weekend brunch, there are seemingly endless brunch spots in Dubai to choose from.

What I particularly love about Dubai’s café scene is that brunch doesn’t have to mean an enormous Friday afternoon affair.

Some of my favourite places are much more casual, where you can sit down with a good coffee, order something delicious and spend a couple of hours catching up with friends.

1. Eggspectation

Address: Roxy Cinema Building, Dubai

Eggspectation is one of my favourite recommendations if you’re looking for a classic brunch spot in Dubai where you know you’re going to leave feeling very well fed.

Located in JBR, it’s a particularly good option if you want somewhere central with a huge menu covering pretty much every brunch craving imaginable.

My shakshuka was exactly what I wanted from a lazy brunch: eggs cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce with plenty of flavour, while the club sandwich is a much more substantial option if you’re seriously hungry (like Steff).

What I like about Eggspectation is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. You can come here for something relatively healthy, go all-out with pancakes and French toast, or order one of the more substantial breakfast plates.

It’s also a good choice when you’re brunching with a group because there’s enough variety on the menu that everyone should find something they fancy.

If you’re looking for the best brunch in Dubai and want somewhere reliable rather than overly formal, Eggspectation is definitely worth trying. The JBR location also means you can combine brunch with a wander around the area afterwards, or head straight to the beach.

Eggspectation Dubai Brunch — *Brunch with a stunning view at Eggspectation in JBR!*

2. The Sum of Us

Address: Ground Floor, Burj Al Salam, 6th Street, Trade Centre, Dubai

The Sum of Us is one of the names I’d expect to see on any list of the best brunch spots in Dubai.

Located in the Burj Al Salam, this bakery, café and all-day dining spot has become something of a Dubai institution, particularly if you’re serious about your coffee and breakfast.

The cafe has a relaxed, slightly industrial feel and is known for its freshly baked bread, pastries, specialty coffee and generous breakfast menu.

The Big Brekkie is a particularly good choice if you’re hungry, while there are plenty of lighter options if you’re looking for something a little less substantial.

I think The Sum of Us is particularly good for a slow weekend brunch. It’s not trying to be a glamorous destination brunch, and that’s part of the appeal.

You’re here for good food, excellent coffee and that relaxed café atmosphere that makes you want to stay for another coffee after you’ve finished eating.

If you’re exploring brunch spots in Dubai and want somewhere that feels more like a proper neighbourhood café than a five-star hotel brunch, put this one towards the top of your list.

3. Cocoa Room

Address: Galleria Mall, Al Wasl Road, Dubai

If you have a sweet tooth, Cocoa Room is one of the Dubai brunch spots you need to know about.

This is the kind of place I’d recommend when you’re less interested in a sensible plate of eggs and more interested in making brunch a full-blown indulgence.

Cocoa Room has built its reputation around chocolate and dessert-led dishes, but there’s plenty more on the menu than just sweet treats. It’s a great place to come when you want brunch to feel a little bit different from the usual avocado toast and poached eggs.

The biggest draw, however, is obviously the chocolate.

If you’re anything like me, the dessert menu is going to require some serious self-control. Think rich, decadent creations that are designed to be shared, although I’m certainly not judging anyone who decides to keep their dessert to themselves.

I particularly like Cocoa Room for a fun brunch with friends because it feels more playful than some of the polished brunch restaurants around Dubai.

If you’re looking for where to eat brunch in Dubai and want something sweet, indulgent and a little different, this is one to bookmark.

4. Tom & Serg

Address: 15A Street, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai

Tom & Serg is one of the original names in Dubai’s modern café scene and remains one of my favourite recommendations for anyone searching for good brunch in Dubai.

Located in Al Quoz, this Melbourne-inspired café helped establish the city’s now-thriving specialty coffee culture and is still going strong more than a decade after opening.

The industrial warehouse-style interior gives Tom & Serg a much more relaxed feel than some of Dubai’s glitzier restaurants. This is somewhere I’d come when I actually want to sit down, eat a proper brunch and drink really good coffee rather than dress up for the occasion.

The menu is full of brunch favourites, with the Aussie Benedict and salted caramel French toast among the dishes that have developed something of a cult following.

For me, Tom & Serg is exactly what a great café should be: excellent food, excellent coffee and an atmosphere that doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard.

If you’re putting together a list of brunch spots in Dubai, I’d definitely include this one.

RELATED Brunch Spots in Dubai blog post to read: The Best Brunch and Breakfast Spots in Sydney by Area

5. Society Cafe & Lounge

Address: Jumeirah Street 1, Dubai

Society Café is one of my picks for anyone looking for a slightly more polished brunch spot in Dubai without going down the full-blown luxury hotel brunch route.

Located in Jumeirah, it’s a lovely option if you’re already exploring the area and want somewhere stylish for a leisurely breakfast or brunch.

The menu covers a mix of breakfast classics and more creative dishes, so there’s plenty to choose from whether you’re craving eggs, something sweet or a lighter brunch.

What I like about Society is that it feels sufficiently special for a weekend brunch but isn’t so formal that you feel like you need to make an occasion out of it.

The setting is another reason I’d recommend it. There’s a relaxed, sophisticated feel to the café that makes it particularly good for catching up with friends or having a long, lazy brunch rather than grabbing something quickly and leaving.

If you’re searching for the best brunch spots in Dubai and want somewhere that combines good food, coffee and a stylish setting, Society Café is well worth adding to your list.

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6. Koko Bay

Address: West Beach Palm, Jumeirah, Dubai

Koko Bay is a very different brunch experience from the casual cafés elsewhere on this list.

Located on Palm Jumeirah’s West Beach, this is the one I’d choose when I want brunch to feel like part of a proper Dubai day out.

This is a beach club, so you’re getting the whole package: beautiful surroundings, a relaxed holiday atmosphere, food, drinks and that unmistakable Palm Jumeirah setting.

It’s particularly good if you’re visiting Dubai and want to combine brunch with some time by the water rather than simply sitting inside a café.

Koko Bay has a more glamorous feel than somewhere like Tom & Serg or The Sum of Us, but that’s exactly what makes it worth including. Dubai does brunch in many different ways, and sometimes you want the full sunshine-and-palm-trees version.

I’d recommend Koko Bay if you’re looking for brunch in Dubai with a view or planning a special weekend meal. Just be aware that it’s more of a destination than a quick coffee-and-eggs stop, so I’d give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the setting.

7. Friends Avenue

Address: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Friends Avenue is another of the best brunch spots in Dubai for a relaxed, casual café experience.

The brand has several locations around Dubai, but its original reputation comes from creating that lovely combination of good food, speciality coffee and a comfortable, homely atmosphere.

The menu is broad enough to please just about everyone, with everything from eggs and breakfast plates to pancakes, sandwiches, salads and healthier options.

This is exactly the sort of menu I like for brunch because you can be in the mood for something indulgent one day and something lighter the next.

The café itself has that slightly quirky, Instagram-friendly look that Dubai does so well, but it doesn’t feel like style has been prioritised over the actual food.

If you’re looking for where to have brunch in Dubai without spending your Saturday at a huge hotel brunch, Friends Avenue is a great alternative.

8. Splendour Fields

Address: The Park, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Splendour Fields in Jumeirah Lakes Towers is one of the more relaxed Dubai brunch spots I’d recommend if you’re looking to escape the usual tourist-heavy areas.

Located at The Park in JLT, it’s surrounded by greenery and has a lovely neighbourhood feel.

The café’s menu is built around all-day dining, so you’ll find plenty of familiar brunch favourites alongside more substantial dishes.

It’s the sort of place where you can arrive hungry, order a coffee and settle in for a leisurely morning without feeling like you need to rush through your meal.

I particularly like this type of café when travelling because it gives you a chance to see another side of Dubai.

JLT is a residential and business district rather than one of the city’s obvious tourist attractions, so stopping here for brunch can easily become part of exploring a different neighbourhood.

If you’re looking for good brunch in Dubai with a relaxed atmosphere and don’t mind venturing away from the main tourist areas, Splendour Fields is worth checking out.

9. Hampstead Bakery and Cafe

Address: Fountain Views, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai

Hampstead Bakery & Café is a great option if your ideal brunch involves a good bakery counter, coffee and something comforting to eat.

Located in Downtown Dubai, it’s particularly convenient if you’re spending the day around the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.

As the name suggests, the bakery is a big part of the appeal. There are pastries and baked treats alongside the wider breakfast and café menu, making it an easy choice when you don’t necessarily want a huge brunch but still want something delicious.

I think this is one of the more versatile brunch spots in Dubai because you can pop in for a coffee and pastry or sit down for a proper meal.

It’s also a useful option if you’re staying around Downtown and want somewhere outside of the big hotel restaurants.

If you’re planning a day of sightseeing in Downtown Dubai, I’d happily pair a visit to Hampstead with your itinerary. Grab brunch, fuel up on coffee and then head out to explore the city.

10. Maison Mathis

Address: Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Arabian Ranches, Dubai

Maison Mathis is a lovely choice if you’re looking for something a little more European for your Dubai brunch.

Located in Arabian Ranches, it has a relaxed restaurant-and-café feel and is particularly popular with people living in the surrounding residential communities.

The menu is broad, covering breakfast classics alongside European-inspired dishes, so there’s plenty of choice whether you’re after eggs, something sweet, a sandwich or a larger meal.

It’s the kind of place that works just as well for a casual coffee as it does for a proper weekend brunch with friends.

What makes Maison Mathis particularly appealing is the setting. If you’re staying around Arabian Ranches or exploring the outer parts of Dubai, it’s a great alternative to travelling into Downtown simply to find somewhere good to eat.

For me, this is one of those brunch spots in Dubai worth remembering when you’re staying outside the main tourist areas.

11. Arrows and Sparrows Cafe

Address: A Street, Al Thanyah Third, Dubai

Last but certainly not least is Arrows & Sparrows, a popular café in Dubai’s Al Thanyah area and a great choice for anyone searching for the best brunch in Dubai.

It’s from the same founders behind Friends Avenue, so if you like that style of relaxed, food-focused café, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy this one too.

The menu is centred around hearty all-day breakfast and brunch dishes, with plenty of options for both sweet and savoury eaters.

It’s the sort of café where you can order a classic breakfast, go for something a little more adventurous or simply settle in with a good coffee and a pastry.

I also love the atmosphere here. It’s casual, welcoming and very much designed around the idea of spending time with friends over good food and coffee.

It doesn’t have the formality of a hotel brunch, which is exactly why I’d choose it for a relaxed weekend morning.

If you’re working your way through the best brunch spots in Dubai, Arrows & Sparrows is one I’d definitely add to the list, particularly if you’re staying around JLT or the surrounding neighbourhoods.

The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Dubai

Dubai really is a dream destination if you love brunch.

From casual neighbourhood cafés serving excellent coffee and eggs to glamorous beachside venues where brunch can easily turn into an entire afternoon, the city has an option for practically every mood.

My one big regret about my time in Dubai was that we had a backpacker budget, so we couldn’t make the most of all the brunch spots that were on offer.

But that means I have even more of a reason to go back in the future!

My biggest recommendation would be not to assume that Dubai brunch automatically means an expensive Friday feast.

Some of my favourite brunch spots in Dubai are much more casual, and places like Tom & Serg, The Sum of Us and Friends Avenue are perfect examples of the city’s fantastic café culture.

Whether you’re visiting Dubai for the first time or you’re a regular to the city, I hope this guide gives you a few new places to add to your food itinerary.

And if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably arrive with a list of three brunches planned and somehow leave having eaten your way through about seven.

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By Orlagh Shanks

Orlagh Shanks is the Editor of Orlagh Claire, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog.
After working in the PR & Influencer Marketing industry in New York City and London, Orlagh quit her job to travel Asia for 12 months and moved to Sydney, Australia where she is now a full-time travel blogger and content creator sharing travel tips and recommendations for all 30 of the countries she’s visited so far.

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