WINNER
tashas
With a gorgeous location at Al Bateen marina, there’s very often a wait for a table at this popular South African café. There’s a no reservation policy, but your patience will certainly be rewarded with a long list of healthy and tasty breakfast dishes. We often go for the mariachi eggs to kick off our day with a bit of fire and colour. Scrambled eggs are mixed with chilli, avocado, parmesan, spring onions and tomatoes, and served with warm tortillas. There’s also cooked breakfasts with bacon and sausages, omelettes, acai bowls and delightful brioche French toast. You’ll want to return every weekend.
Al Marsa, Al Bateen (02 445 0890).
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Market at EDITION
This is without a doubt one of the most exciting breakfast venues in the city. The healthy restaurant has put together a list of dishes the likes of which you’ll find nowhere else, and we love it a little bit more every time we visit. If you’re a bit of a foodie (like us), you’ll be thrilled to see that almost everything includes ingredients like buckwheat, flax seeds, chia seeds, turmeric yoghurt, blueberry labneh and other similarly exotic additions. Highlights include the cured salmon bagel with beetroot, sprouts, dill cream and garden greens, plus the rye, quinoa and chia seed porridge. But honestly, anything you choose will be fantastic, and you don’t even have to feel guilty about it afterwards, which is nice.
The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen (02 208 0000).
Raw by Nolu’s
Nestled next to Al Seef Mall and mere metres away from two gyms, the healthier branch of Nolu’s has managed to bag a perfect location. While many might just call in for a post-workout smoothie to go, we like to take a seat in the cosy indoor area or on the sunny terrace, and start our day with some of the wholesome breakfast options. The edamame explosion toast is exceptionally tasty, and something a bit different to your usual eggs and bread. If you’ve never tried edamame hummus before, well be prepared to have your mind blown. It’s joined by poached egg, sunflower seeds and tomatoes and layered on a very on-trend chia seed bagel.
Al Seef Village, Khalifa Park area (02 444 8080).
NOMINEES
Beach House
If you can think of a better setting to enjoy the first meal of the day other than overlooking the beautiful Arabian Gulf from the shores of Saadiyat Island then we’d like to know where. With a picturesque setting, a classy and relaxed vibe and a host of brilliant breakfast options the Beach House is the perfect weekend morning destination or any time of the week for that matter.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island (02 407 1234).
Café 302
This unashamedly hipster hangout always knows how we like our eggs in the morning and is just the type of weekend pick-me-up we need after a hard week of reviewing nightclubs. Along with lovely cold brews served in milk bottles (of course), Café 302 offers a great selection of healthy, filling, Insta-worthy breakfasts that are worth seeking out.
Daily 6m-10.30pm. Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana, Hamdan Street (02 610 6666).
Café Arabia
It’s as laid back as a day spent lounging on a hammock by the ocean and with an eclectic yet oddly fitting and charming décor, Café Arabia is an ideal place to relax and enjoy a big breakfast. All the usual suspects are here and you can fill up for the most important meal of the day with a huge serving of just about anything you’re after. What more could you want?
Sun-Thu 7am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am-11pm. 15th Street, Al Mussala (02 643 9699).
No.Fifty Seven Boutique Café
Tremendously trendy and hipster-friendly this Al Bateen hangout loves to put a spin on dishes that you’ve probably seen the likes of on Instagram. Think charcoal pancakes and the rest, alongside more classic breakfast fare like poached eggs and a host of other delectable delights that will put a smile on your face alongside a cup of brilliant coffee.
Daily 9am-10.30pm. Al Marasy, Al Bateen (02 441 6100).
Nolu’s
As a perennial Time Out Abu Dhabi Restaurant Awards winner we’ve been consistently wowed by the brilliance of Nolu’s. We can’t find much to fault about this Afghani-Californian eatery in Al Bandar. For years it has been a go-to for breakfast for many of Abu Dhabi’s foodies, with the range of organic and healthy dishes it’s a first-class venue.
Daily 9am-11pm. Al Bandar, Al Raha Beach (02 557 9500).
Sanderson’s
With a cool venue and a friendly vibe we’re big fans of this trendy restaurant and we’re not the only ones. Often packed, especially at weekends, it’s a must-try breakfast spot. Plus with so many great dishes to try it will keep you coming back to try again and again and that’s really not a bad thing when the food is so enjoyable.
Daily 8am-10pm. Sanderson’s, The Walk at Al Seef Resort & Spa by Andalus, Khalifa Park asrea (02 222 1142).
Shay Mahdboot
It may not look all that much from the outside but this unassuming restaurant is a staple for foodies in Abu Dhabi. With some of the greatest karak in the city, this petite café is also a great spot for a breakfast with loads of great egg dishes and a brilliant shakshuka that you need to add to your must-try list.
Sun-Wed 7am-10pm, Thu-Fri 8am-10pm. Dihan Street, Al Muroor (02 621 7323).
