The most stylish spots for breakfast in the capital, from a minimalist beachfront cafe to chic spots in Al Bateen
Near+Far
The capital of the UAE‘s coffee culture is thriving, driven by chic cafes and restaurants serving fantastic, fresh brews and innovative breakfast dishes. Abu Dhabi offers some of the most stylish spots for breakfast and brunch in the UAE, thanks to a large and discerning local population who flock for minimalist interiors and dishes like French toast, homemade granola and twists on classic eggs and shakshuka. From cafes with beautiful beach views to trendy marina spots, here are the best places for breakfast in Abu Dhabi.
The best breakfast in Abu Dhabi
Cafe James
Breakfast served: All day from 7am
Bright, soothing and modern Cafe James is a mainstay on Abu Dhabi’s best breakfast and cafe lists, offering a minimalist aesthetic with fresh menu inspired by French flavours. This is the place for a sleek and classic breakfast experience, with dishes like scrambled champignon and croquettes madame alongside their signature shakshuka with spiced meatballs, avocado croissant and hand-made scones. There are now two venues to choose from in the capital: the original location in Al Shams Boutik in Reem and the new waterfront Al Qana location – offering indoor and outdoor seating.
Various locations; jamesabudhabi.com, @jamescafe.ae
Society
Breakfast served: 8 am to midday weekdays, all day weekends
Chic Society is known for its fantastic coffee and innovative – and healthy – breakfast dishes, with locations in Dubai‘s Jumeirah and Abu Dhabi‘s Mamsha Al Saadiyat. The capital’s outpost is arguably the most picturesque, with big picture windows looking out onto Saadiyat’s white, palm-strewn sands and blue waters, and with a minimalist, design-led dining room filled with potted plants and oozing zen. The beachy hangout is the perfect spot for breakfast, serving everything from eggs Benedict on a croissant and garlicky Turkish eggs to fluffy banana bread with citrus mascarpone, acai bowls and French toast. Healthy options include the popular quinoa bowl and avocado on toast (complete with peas, poached eggs, cream cheese and toasted nuts). Dishes are beautifully plated and served on tasteful ceramics.
Saadiyat Island, @societyuae, societyuae.com
Table Otto
Breakfast served: all day
Perfect for a pit stop before shopping, or a languid weekend destination in its own right, Table Otto is a chic cafe and restaurant at the city’s glitzy Yas Mall. The Middle Eastern cafe draws a young cool crowd, who pile in for steaming plates of shakshouka with sujuk, baked mushroom eggs with truffle hummus toast, Persian fatteh eggs and loaded morning flatbreads. There are also international delights such as stacked pancakes and freshly baked croissants loaded with meat and cheese and healthy treats like warm oat porridge and avocado and honey yoghurt bowl. The coffee is excellent, too, from top-quality roasters complete with latte art and served in stylish ceramic cups. The brand also operates outlets in Dubai and Al Ain.
Yas Mall, Yas Island, @tableotto.ae
Tashas Al Bateen
Breakfast served: until 6 pm
South African restauranteur Natasha Sideris’ café empire is known across her native country and the UAE, where she operates a bevy of branches in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi’s chic Al Bateen Marina. Located on the waterfront, it exudes cool, coastal charm, with natural interiors, white furniture and umbrellas, rattan touches, and a wooden deck for sipping top-quality coffee and enjoying breakfast and lunch al fresco. The coffee menu is seriously impressive – with everything from espresso, iced and oat milk lattes to Greek, Spanish and flavoured blends on offer – and there’s a fantastic all-day breakfast menu with classic egg dishes, yummy hummus toasties, brioche French toast and delicious scramblers like the mariachi (with chilli, coriander, parmesan, avo, lime and tomato) and St Francis, with goat’s cheese, cherry and sundried tomato and basil pesto.
Al Bateen, tashascafe.com
Market at EDITION
Breakfast served: 6:30 am – 5 pm
The EDITION is one of Abu Dhabi’s chicest hotels, located at the popular Al Bateen marina (home to many of the capital’s most stylish cafes and restaurants). Market is the hotel’s breezy all-day dining space, decked out in calming neutral tones with plenty of potted plants, plus an outdoor space overlooking the marina – perfect for sun-dappled dining. The breakfast menu leans towards healthy and light and includes dishes like super fruit bowls, zingy chilli scrambled eggs, and rye quinoa and chia porridge, plus well-being boosters like juices with turmeric and beetroot. Those after something more indulgent need not worry, as true to the restaurant’s roots, there’s a lobster and beef Wellington Benedict on offer, too.
Al Bateen, editionhotels.com
Montauk Boutique Cafe & Restaurant
Breakfast served: all day
Montauk Boutique Cafe & Restaurant takes its inspiration from the light, breezy and elevated vibes of New York‘s The Hamptons. Big windows stream in sunshine and furnishings include chic blue and white striped chairs, loungers and stylish wicker chairs and wooden tables – plus the Al Bateen marina location adds a seaside vibe. The brainchild of Emirati owner and founder Chef Mariam Almansoori, the breakfast venue offers seriously good coffee – a priority for the founder – and delicious breakfast dishes like cheese, avocado and beetroot toasties, scrambled egg shakshuka, baked bean eggs, Turkish eggs, homemade granola, custard-soaked French toast and fresh bagels loaded with toppings.
Al Bateen, @montaukabudhabi
Parallel Café
Breakfast served: all day
Another fantastic spot for breakfast in in Abu Dhabi is Parallel Café – a beachy-chic space with natural wood and chalky white interiors, rattan furniture and the obligatory display of brilliant green foliage. The calming cafe and coffee shop sits in the Al Bateen marina and serves brunch fare and freshly brewed coffee. Its most famous dish is the ice cream bun – warm, freshly baked bun with soft melting ice cream – and the ultimate weekend breakfast treat.
Al Bateen, @parallelcafe
Cave
Breakfast served: all day
One of the newest additions to Abu Dhabi’s cool and creative breakfast scene is Cave. While most of the capital’s breakfast spots are bright and breezy, Cave is dark, mysterious and designed to create the feeling of subterranean dining, with dark cosy corners and unique cave-inspired decor. Located in the city’s Al Qana area, it’s quickly become a popular neighbourhood hangout, thanks to a European-inspired breakfast menu of Spanish tortilla, eggs Benedict with asparagus and decadent scrambled egg croissants. Make sure to keep enough room for dessert, the cafe’s speciality.
Al Qana, @cave.tapas
Ritual Café & Studio
Breakfast served: all day
With a motto of ‘turning routines into morning rituals, it’s only right that Ritual Café & Studio’s coffee is worthy of a daily visit. The calming all-white space is nestled in Reem Central Park on Reem Island, and its wellbeing-oriented vibe and clean aesthetic make it the perfect spot to come and switch off and enjoy the peaceful vibe or switch on for a day of zen co-working. The coffee is great, there are plenty of healthy, gluten-free and vegan options, and the coffee shop regularly hosts workshops, helping guests to create meaningful rituals.
Reem Central Park, Reem Island, @ritual.uae, qr.emenu.ae
Sanderson’s Café
Breakfast served: all day
From Serg Lopez (formerly one-half of Dubai’s perennially popular Tom&Serg), Sanderson’s Café brings Mediterranean vibes and coffee culture to the UAE capital. The green canopy sets the tone for the interior, which is reminiscent of Mediterranean islands with a calming palette of white, wicker chairs and island-style furnishings. Staff are delightful, and many combine the classic with the innovative. There’s freshly ground coffee, but also colourful serves like red velvet and matcha lattes and chai masala. The expansive menu spans everything from tropical smoothie bowls, acai and eggs cooked any way to fully loaded toasts, breakfast pizzas and the signature ‘brekkie’ burger.
Al Seef Abu Dhabi, wearesandersons.com
Rain Café
Breakfast served: all day
You know somewhere is good in the UAE when locals favour it, and Rain Café is precisely that. The homegrown brand – owned by an Emirati entrepreneur – is known for its top-quality service, funky interiors, freshly brewed coffee, and slim but hearty menu of breakfast dishes, colourful bowls and packed sandwiches. The focus is on quality, not quantity, and all beans are from Brazil, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Panama, and Guatemala – with more interesting coffees, including the popular Spanish latte with condensed milk. Rain Cafe has now branched across the city in the Corniche area, Yas Mall and Al Ain.
Al Wahda, @rainabudhabi, rainuae.ae
