There are grab-and-go cafes that offer traditional staples. There are lively places that bring all of the brunch vibes. And somewhere in the intersection of the two, you’ll find a thriving array of the best breakfast places in Abu Dhabi. Boasting of finger-licking cuisine and breezy island-style decor, you’ll find that the most Instagrammable breakfast cafes in Abu Dhabi are ready to elevate breakfast from just another meal to the highlight of your day. Let’s get started, shall we?
Sanderson’s Cafe
What is a typical Emirati breakfast?
- For the most important meal of the day, Emiratis love fueling up with traditional delights from the region.
- So, what are the traditional breakfast dishes in Abu Dhabi? A variety of khameer or flatbreads are usually laden on every breakfast tables, accompanied by delicacies such as foul medames, balaleet, hummus and other sides.
- With a sip of karak chai to wash things down, the traditional Emirati breakfast is complete.
What are the most famous breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi?
- If you are ready to dive in, breakfast makes for the ideal introduction to the finer delights of the Abu Dhabi culinary scene.
- Depending on your mood, you’ll find breakfast options to tempt every palate. Looking to sample a traditional Indian breakfast in Abu Dhabi? Culinary stalwarts Punjab Grill, Indigo and more offer up a tempting array of chaats, chutneys and more.
- Hoping for something more aligned with your health goals? Want to indulge your sweet tooth? Hunting for a business breakfast in Abu Dhabi while you are on the go? Regardless of what you are looking for, there is something for everyone in our round-up of the must-visit breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi.
Table Otto
What to expect: The best of Italian and Mediterranean cuisines, brought together by founder and chef Faisal Al Nashmi, in an elevated setting. True to its name, the Art Deco-style marble flooring is juxtaposed with rattan furnishings for a whiff of that breezy, coastal lifestyle. Find your spot outdoors for people-watching or head to the one of the cozy alcoves carved into the walls if you are dining with a larger group.
Instagram.com
On the menu: Egg serves as the spotlight of the breakfast menu, served here in infinite ways. Tossed alongside flame-roasted tomatoes, baked with creamy mushroom sauce or stuffed inside paratha-style tacos: there are endless possibilities and no way of getting it wrong.
Book reservations here or visit Table Otto – Ground Floor, Yas Mall – Yas Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 562 0250
View this post on Instagram
Society
What to expect: Verdant pops of greenery and earthy tones lend a homely touch to this sun-kissed space. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer up envy-inducing views of Saadiyaat’s azure waters, and the beachy memo continues indoors with oversized ferns amidst fluted pillars. When the weather is kinder, you’ll want to find your way to the outdoor terrace where you can dig into fusion fare over a leisurely brunch.
Instagram.com
On the menu: The humble eggs benedict receives a glow-up here, served two ways: flanked by beef bacon within two buttery halves of a croissant or strewn with wilted spinach atop a house-baked English muffin.
Book reservations here or visit Society – Soul Beach, Mamsha Al Saadiyat – Al Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 886 7735
View this post on Instagram
tashas
What to expect: The tranquility of the Al Bateen Marina bleeds into this waterfront culinary hub, founded by South African restaurateur Natasha Sideris. On a mission to transform daytime eating, her idea of easy elegance involves uncomplicated food whipped up from the freshest ingredients. It is this sense of being at one with nature that is spotlighted in everything from the texture of the rattan chairs to the breezy hues of the sandstone flooring.
Instagram.com
On the menu: So, what can you expect from the best breakfast in Abu Dhabi? Served till 6PM everyday, the menu takes its cues from the decor with a comfort-inducing lineup. The eggs? Dished fried, scrambled or poached. The coffee? Served as a creamy, soul-rejuvenating latte or iced into a single-origin cold brew. The vibes? Authentic and fuss-free, always.
Book reservations here or visit tashas – Marsha Al Bateen Marina – Unit B02 Cafe – شارع المرسى – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 445 0890
MARKET at EDITION
What to expect: If you are after a breakfast with a view in Abu Dhabi, MARKET at EDITION is destined to turn you into a regular. French bistro-style chairs sway gently in the marina breeze outside while those who prefer to dine indoors will want to draw up a chair at the gleaming white marble counter for an on-the-go brekkie.
View this post on Instagram
On the menu: Fresh, organic produce is the star of the show over here—featured lovingly in an all-day breakfast menu that includes health-conscious as well as more indulgent options. Pop over to grab their signature green detox juice after a bracing morning run along the promenade or head over with the fam on leisurely weekend mornings—there is something for everyone.
Book reservations here or visit MARKET at EDITION – Al Bateen – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 208 0000
Instagram.com
Montauk
What to expect: “Meet me at Montauk” proclaims an illuminated sign in a crisp serif—and once you get an eyeful of this chic breakfast cafe in Abu Dhabi, you won’t need much convincing. Modeled after leisurely holiday homes in the Hamptons, right down to the cozy fireplace and nautical stripes splashed across the furnishings, you’ll want to keep your phone lens ready at one of the most stylish breakfast spots in Abu Dhabi.
View this post on Instagram
On the menu: Those in the quest of the best Turkish breakfast in Abu Dhabi will be ordering seconds of the poached eggs resting on a creamy yogurt spread. The showstopper, undoubtedly, is the dessert menu—featuring every imaginable delicacy for satiating your sweet tooth.
Book reservations here or visit Montauk Boutique Cafe & Restaurant – Yas Mall – Yas Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 621 2324
Instagram.com
Parallel Cafe
What to expect: The Bali vibes are unmissable at one of the best breakfast places in Abu Dhabi housed within a converted villa. Rattan light fixtures, traditional textiles, earthy tones: check, check and check. Saunter inside on a leisurely Saturday morning when you have nothing more pressing on your schedule than sipping on a pistachio latte and watching the world go by.
Instagram.com
On the menu: Avocado meets toast, Nutella meets pretzel but most importantly, ice cream meets fresh-from-the-oven buns at one of the top breakfast places in Abu Dhabi.
Book reservations here or visit Parallel Cafe – 568 Al Khaleej Al Arabi St – Al Bateen – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9715 013 29224
View this post on Instagram
Cave
What to expect: When a breakfast restaurant in Abu Dhabi says “inspired by nature”, they mean it in the most literal sense of the term. Case in point: Cave, an immersive dining experience that invites you to dig into sunny eggs and captivating brews under the canopy of a rocky, cave-like roof so realistic that you could swear it was formed by the natural weathering of stone over the course of centuries.
Instagram.com
On the menu: Looking for the best Arabic breakfast in Abu Dhabi? Classic poached eggs receive a labneh-spiked twist that is topped off with pistachios and a slice of lime for a rejuvenating start to the day.
Book reservations here or visit Cave – Hamad Mohamed thani Al Rumaithi St – Rabdan – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 558 1112
View this post on Instagram
Sanderson’s Cafe
What to expect: From restaurateur Serg Lopez, one half of Dubai’s Tom&Serg, comes a breezy Mediterranean cafe for mood-enhancing dining. Immediately earning its spot among the good breakfast places in Abu Dhabi, time is an abstract concept here. It is easy to lose track of the hours as you sink into a plush mint-hued booth, sip on an assortment of specialty teas and contemplate whether you have time to sample that red velvet latte after all.
Sanderson’s Cafe
On the menu: There are few spots that manage to nail the memo on all-day breakfast in Abu Dhabi as well as this Mediterranean hub. Expect a hearty lineup of breakfast burritos, croissants, toasts and more.
Book reservations here or visit Sanderson’s Cafe – Andalus Al Seef Resort Salam Street Near Khalifa Park – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 222 1142
View this post on Instagram
Ritual Cafe & Studio
What to expect: Craft your own morning ritual at this airy cafe that pays an homage to the laidback simplicity of island life. Draw up a chair, feel the breeze rifle through your hair and feel your stresses wash away at one of the best outdoor breakfasts in Abu Dhabi.
Instagram.com
On the menu: Beyond serving up some of the finest healthy breakfasts in Abu Dhabi, there’s a vegan selection to choose from as well. The superfood-laden lineup features all of the greatest hits, from acai bowls and chia puddings to all-time faves like avo-on-toast.
Book reservations here or visit Ritual Cafe & Studio – Unit 10, Reem Central Park, Reem Island – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9715 026 37100
View this post on Instagram
Rain Cafe
What to expect: Warming your hands around a steaming hot cup of coffee while listening to the patter of raindrops—two forgotten pleasures that founder Mohammed Al Shehhi hoped to revive when he first opened its namesake cafe in 2017. In the years since, more branches have popped up in Yas Mall and Al Ain, earning it the title of one of the best breakfast places in Abu Dhabi for specialty coffee.
Rain Cafe
On the menu: With an impressive beverage menu that spans coffee beans sourced from across the globe—think Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and more—the lineup is right as rain.
Book reservations here or visit Rain Cafe – Mohammed Bin Khalifa St – Al Nahyan – Zone 1 – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 583 2689
View this post on Instagram
What to expect: Any visit to The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort would be incomplete without popping by this quaint French concept cafe. The promise of uniting global cuisine is manifested in the breakfast menu with English, Arabic, Mexican, Italian options to choose from.
Instagram.com
On the menu: On the hunt for a traditional English breakfast in Abu Dhabi? You’ll be wanting seconds of Le Noir’s lineup of hash browns, sausages and fried eggs. Arabic influences filter into the menu with shakshuka, falafel, labneh and more.
Book reservations here or visit Le Noir Café & Kitchen – The St. Regis Sadiyat – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 448 4859
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Restaurant Bar Saadiyat Abu Dhabi (@lenoirrestaurant.ae)
Cafe 302
What to expect: Eat, drink, chat and nibble your way through a hearty round-up of American breakfast options in Abu Dhabi at this urban cafe nestled within Al Maha Arjaan Hotel. The fresh, organic produce is a result of its bid to reduce its carbon footprint by championing local farms.
Instagram.com
On the menu: For your choice of all-day breakfast, you can choose for a quintessential English meal—hash browns, baked beans, sausages—or go the New Yorker route with a cream cheese bagel and smoked salmon.
Book reservations here or visit Cafe 302 – 302 Saeed Bin Ahmed Al Otaiba St – Al Danah – Zone 1 – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates, +9712 610 6688
View this post on Instagram
