Every day should start with a good breakfast – particularly when you’re on holiday!
The good news for lovers of the morning meal is that Abu Dhabi has a huge variety of breakfast spots. There’s everything from healthy eating joints to inspired international buffets to help you kickstart your day and stave off hunger.
Whether you’re heading to the beach or have a back-to-back day of sightseeing ahead of you, our list of the best places to get breakfast in Abu Dhabi will ensure that you don’t go hungry.
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1. Jones the Grocer
Jones the Grocer serves up a range of healthy – and not-so-healthy – breakfast grub across the city of Abu Dhabi. The upmarket Australian chain prides itself on using quality ingredients throughout the comprehensive menu.
Old faithfuls to fill the hunger void include the traditional English breakfast as more ‘modern’ choices like the Amazonian açai bowl or the smoked salmon buckwheat crepe, all of which must be enjoyed with Jones’ delicious single-origin coffee.
Where to find Jones the Grocer: Various locations, Abu Dhabi; open from 7:00 am daily.
2. Meylas
If you want to experience a traditional Emirati breakfast, head to Meylas in Al Muneera. The name of this outlet means ‘a place that gathers people’, and Meylas certainly knows how to gather people! The warm and welcoming atmosphere is popular with Emiratis and cuisine-loving expats alike.
Meylas uses local ingredients to share real UAE flavours in traditional recipes that have been passed down through the generations culminating in a memorable dining experience.
Located in the modern Al Muneera Beach Plaza, the charming restaurant space gives both a decorative and culinary nod to the past as it serves up traditional breakfast dishes such as egg, khameer and mohalla.
If you’re wondering what to choose, we highly recommend the chbaab – a traditional pancake dish served with date syrup and cream cheese, washed down with Haleeb bei Jangibel (a hot, sweet, ginger-flavoured milk drink) or Meylas’ delicious thyme tea.
Where to find Meylas: Al Muneera Beach Plaza, Al Raha, Abu Dhabi; open from 9:00 am.
3. Art House Cafe
The original Art House Cafe in the Al Bateen area is a work of art in itself. Furnished with recycled pallets and oil drums and decorated with hand-painted plates, the place is an inspiration for any budding artist.
The menu is as eclectic as the cafe itself, with delicious offerings including avocado toast, eggs benedict and traditional Arabic shakshuka. The tiramisu pancakes are not to be missed if you have a sweet tooth!
As well as the Al Bateen branch, there is a smaller Art House cafe in Al Bandar in the Al Raha Beach area. This is a great choice if you would like to take a waterfront stroll after breakfast and are seeking a family-friendly venue.
Both venues offer customers the opportunity to paint their own plates whilst they are waiting for their food to be served for a small fee (20 AED at the time of writing).
Where to find Art House Cafe: Al Huwelat St, Bateen Area, Opp Al Bateen Villa No 15, Abu Dhabi; open from 9:00 am.
4. Market at EDITION
Those craving an elegant and healthy breakfast in Abu Dhabi should head to the Market restaurant at the EDITION hotel in the swanky Al Bateen Marina.
Award-winning chef Tom Aikens has designed an imaginative menu for this healthy lifestyle restaurant combining locally sourced, organic ingredients with international flavours.
As well as signature detox juices and smoothies, there are numerous cereal and egg-based dishes and some very well-constructed breakfast specials like lobster and asparagus muffins. The açai bowl with coconut shavings and goji berries definitely gets 10/10 in our book!
Where to find Market at EDITION: Marina, Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi; open from 6:30 am.
5. Cafe 302
This casual and friendly breakfast joint serves up delicious fresh fruit and vegetable juices, a variety of omelettes and egg-based dishes, as well as the classic full English. Food is of a high standard and the service is truly second to none.
Special dietary requirements can be a worry when travelling, but Cafe 302 has considered everyone on its menu.
Those taking the plant-based path will appreciate Cafe 302’s vegan selection, which includes tasty treats such as coconut chia muesli, blueberry rice pancakes and spicy masala uttapam. Gluten-free options are also available upon request.
With its modern design in the heart of Abu Dhabi, this is a cool urban spot to chat over breakfast before heading out into the city.
Where to find Cafe 302: Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Fatima Bint Mubarak Street, Abu Dhabi; open from 8:00 am.
6. tashas
Breakfast in Abu Dhabi is always a winner at tashas. The newly reopened Al Bateen branch offers a light and airy, relaxed, yet stylish setting for the day’s most important meal.
There’s no need to leave the duvet behind too early as breakfast at tashas is served until 6pm. Many of the breakfast options have a Spanish twist and include some truly delectable and indulgent combinations.
We recommend ’flavours of citrus’, containing sliced citrus fruits, banana, honey and lemon yoghurt, halva and oat crumble with mint, rose syrup, pomegranate and preserved ginger as a lighter option. Alternatively, the breakfast bun is sure to keep you going for most of the day!
tashas offers great feel-good food in one of Abu Dhabi’s most established neighbourhoods for a memorable start to the day.
Where to find tashas: Al Bateen in Abu Dhabi; open from 9:00 am.
7. Café Arabia
A popular haunt for many locals and expats, Café Arabia really is a very special place.
Run by a Lebanese art enthusiast, the café itself firmly sets you in the Middle East, with hanging lanterns, beautiful traditional furniture and a mesmerising collection of paintings and photographs with local subjects. There’s a book-swap service and spaces for large groups, providing a lovely community atmosphere that invites you to stay well beyond breakfast.
The cosy home away from home offers a vast menu that truly has something for everyone. Cafe Arabia will keep you satisfied whether you want to start your day with Karak tea and shakshuka, avocado toast or a pancake stack.
Where to find Café Arabia: Villa No. 637, 15th Street (Opposite Al Emarat Park); open from 8:00 am
8. Hickory’s
It doesn’t come better than this if you’re looking for a great view! Situated at Yas Links Golf Club, Hickory’s outdoor terrace offers magnificent views across the mangroves and even over to the city on a clear day.
Service can be a little patchy, but the menu is varied and the food tasty. The licensed restaurant even serves real pork bacon and sausages, so it can get quite busy at the weekend.
Some of our breakfast favourites are ’The Healthy Choice’, which includes poached eggs, smoked salmon, mushrooms and halloumi, and the bakery basket, which contains a variety of superbly baked mini pastries.
Located close to the Etihad Arena and Yas Island theme parks, this is a great place to fill up before a day of thrill-seeking.
Where to find Hickory’s: Yas Links Golf course, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; open from 6:00 am.
9. Denny’s Abu Dhabi
Denny’s is always there to satiate big appetites with its American-style menu, bumper portions and reasonable prices. Located close to the entrance of Abu Dhabi Mall, Denny’s is a convenient stop for people staying in the Tourist Club or Al Zahiyah area.
This is a great choice for families as there is an informal atmosphere as well as a huge variety of food on offer – the spread will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. The extensive menu includes a number of pancake options (such as the tres leches pancake breakfast), waffles and omelettes as well as signature ’slam’ dishes like the ’All American Slam’ containing scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, bacon strips, sausage links, eggs, hash browns and a choice of bread. It’s also open 24 hours so the perfect place to go if you’re suffering from jet lag!
Where to find Denny’s: Abu Dhabi Mall, Tourist Club Area (Al Zahiyah), Abu Dhabi; open 24 hours.
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10. Look Out for Tawa Bakery’s New Premises
Formerly situated in Al Muneera, Tawa Bakery is Abu Dhabi’s only completely Gluten Free restaurant. Serving everything from Gluten free cakes and pastries to delicious Mexican-style eggs, as well as some amazing burgers for later in the day, Tawa bakery has got the gluten intolerant covered.
Whilst the new premises at the Erth Hotel does not currently offer dine-in, a new restaurant is promised soon!
Where to find Tawa Bakery: Erth Abu Dhabi (Former Armed Forces and Officers Club and Hotel), Al Khaleej Al Arabi/ Al Maqta area, Abu Dhabi, open from 8:00 am for take away.
Learn more here
Before you go… Important things to consider when planning a trip to Abu Dhabi
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Abu Dhabi, a handy guide on what to pack as well as top tips for first-timers on the dos and don’ts, laws, and customs in the UAE.
- Discover the best places to stay in Abu Dhabi, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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