It’s hard not to be a fan of the famous Dubai brunch; four hours of unlimited munching and boozing…what’s not to love? But, if we’re completely honest with ourselves, (although we hate to do it) brunch is probably (definitely) a tad overindulgent and there comes a point (your late twenties) when your body just can’t handle doing one every weekend. 

…And let’s not forget that you lose your entire weekend by doing one… (brunching all day Friday recovering all day Saturday) so is ‘brunch’ in the Dubai sense of the word really all it’s cracked up to be?

Not when you compare it to some of these whopper breakfasts. This list is for the people who still like to treat themselves at the weekends but can’t face the thought of a boozy brunch or who don’t want to spend an absolute fortune.

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1. The Sum Of Us – Trade Centre Area

We’ve been big fans of this hip, gourmet cafe for for a while now. Run by the same guys who brought us Tom & Serg and Common Grounds, we love how they’re constantly mixing up the menu and how they take a traditional breakfast and add their own spin; like the usual poached Eggs served with manchego potato hash, veal bacon, slow roasted vine tomatoes and a deliciously warm homemade chunky tomato sauce.

Their pastries are legendary, (damn you cronuts, you killed our New Year healthy buzz) they roast their own coffee aaannnnddddddd they serve breakfast all day. Get your keys, it’s time for brekkie we think. 

How much? Poached eggs and manchego potato hash AED 57 

Check out our review of The Sum Of Us Here

2. The Pavilion – Downtown Dubai

This is a firm favourite in Downtown for a long lazy Friday or Saturday morning brunch…minus the booze. Sit indoors or outdoors, take-in the spectacular view of the Burj (this is also a great spot for people watching) while enjoying ‘The Bench’ brunch deal which includes all the standard breakfast bits like cereal, cheeses, pastries, juices, coffee and then all best goodies like an amazing eggs benedict made on a fresh English muffin with veal bacon and hollandaise or omelettes or pancakes…all for AED 99. Pop this on your to-do list; it’s way too good to miss out on. 

How much? ‘The Bench’ brunch deal AED 99

When? Fridays and Saturdays, 10.30pm – 2.30pm

3. Clinton Street Baking Company – Downtown Dubai

This great spot already made our nine-all American breakfasts spots list but it takes real breakfast wizards to make it on to both. Fortunately the Clinton Street Baking Company are absolute magic in the kitchen (we’re funny right?!). This is comfort food or a real treat; sink your teeth into ANY of their breakfasts and you’ll come out half a stone heavier but 100 times happier; while their fried chicken and waffle is seriously tempting you should definitely go for the brioche French toast, which comes topped with banana walnut with warm maple butter drizzled all over…

How much? Brioche French toast AED 58 

P.S. February is pancake month here; last weekend their crunchy (yes, crunchy!) banana pancakes with with cinnamon chilli chocolate sauce were perfection. Excited for next weekend is an understatement. 

4. The Surf Cafe – Beach Road, Umm Suqeim

This cool, chilled out spot sits right next to Jumeirah beach and serves up perfect hearty breakfasts after a morning in the surf or after a heavy night the night on the tiles…whatever you’re into. While we love the classic cafe breakfast which is a big fry with all the trimmings we’re loving the avo and eggs even more. 

Instagram fiends will know the craze for filling avocados with delicious things is only just beginning and The Surf Cafe is right on trend. Come here for an uber healthy avocado and eggs; that’s two free range eggs cooked in two avocados (on the wrong side of ripe we hope) with light rye bread soldiers…wash it all back with any of their lean and super food smoothies for an extra healthy kick; we loved the ‘the fresh one’ made with fresh apply juice, dates, low fat milk and honey. 

How much? Avo and eggs AED 40

5. Eggspectation – JBR

Come here to FEAST on all things eggs (obviously) and beyond. A menu filled with flatbread favourites, eggs benedict or omelettes pretty much any way you can imagine, sandwiches, crepes, burgers; this menu has it all. Fortunately just because it’s a big menu doesn’t mean they sacrificed on quality…which is why their eggsuberant breakfast made our list; it comes as a stack with two eggs any style, (runny, sunny-side-up please!) pure Canadian maple syrup, beef bacon, grilled tomatoes and their signature Lyonnaise-style potatoes.

How much? Eggsuberant breakfast AED 65

6. Fraiche – Cluster Y, JLT

Our neighbour here in JLT, this Montreal inspired café and bistro offers a limited but quality breakfast menu; think eggs any way you’d like them, a vegan porridge for anyone on a health kick and three French toast options you’d probably sell your mum for a plate of….Well maybe not, but it is very good; particularly our favourite homemade banana bread, topped with banana, toasted walnuts and salted caramel French toast…Seriously indulgent but seriously good. 

How much? Banana and salted caramel French toast AED 47 or ask about the all you can eat breakfast.

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