Here are seven top breakfast spots to try with the whole family this weekend… You’re welcome.
Bystro
This spacious café on Sheikh Zayed Road is a top place to grab a lazy weekend breakfast with the family. Dig into eggs, pastries and more, and catch up with your tribe. There’s a dedicated kids’ menu and cute little play area that will keep the youngest diners entertained while mums and dads slurp on their healthy smoothie – or get a much-needed caffeine fix, the whole weekend lies ahead, you’ll need it!
Mon-Sat 8am-9pm, Sun 8am-5pm. Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai (04 336 8056).
Couqley
Breakfast at Couqley French Bistro and Bar, is très bien. Every Friday and Saturday starting at noon, the restaurant offers Petit-dejeuner, which includes fresh croissants, eggs Florentine, Norwegian or Benedict, or just the way you like it. Its cosy atmosphere is the best spot to be with the fam, and there is a designated area for children to play, plus a special Petit Couqley menu for your little ones.
Sat-Wed noon-1am; Thu-Fri noon-2am. Cluster A, JLT (04 514 9339).
Jones the Grocer
This Aussie chain is popular with families all across the UAE, thanks in part to its top deal where kids eat free with every two adult meals bought. But it’s also a fave due to its special kids’ menu, friendly service and chilled-out vibe. Plus, you can buy delicious goodies and sweet treats to take away to enjoy when you get home. It’s the breakfast that keeps on giving – you know where we will be on Friday.
Various locations across Dubai including The Dubai Mall and Emirates Golf Club, and in Abu Dhabi including Holiday Inn Downtown Abu Dhabi and Al Mamoura, www.jonesthegrocer.com.
Leen’s Casual to Gourmet
This fresh and funky restaurant has a chilled-out Cailfornia vibe and a varied menu that boasts fresh salads, sushi platters, healthy breakfast bowls, burgers and vegan-friendly options including poke bowls, soups and mushroom tacos. And we love the nutritious freshly-squeezed juices that are a great way to kickstart your day the healthy way.
The World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi (02 632 5980). Jumeirah Beach Road and Bluewaters Island, Dubai (04 346 6292).
LOWE
This laidback Aussie eatery in Al Barari is a big hit with families. And even if you don’t live in the area, it’s worth the drive. Everything about this contemporary dining spot is bang on. Dishes have adventurous flavour combinations and creative presentation, and the restaurant has a warm and homely vibe. There’s no kids’ menu, but that doesn’t matter, as staff are happy to whip up dishes for little diners on demand. Colouring pencils and books are delivered to your table with a smile, but make a special request for the pavement chalks so that the little ones can release their inner Banksy on the floor outside.
Sun-Thu 8am-11.30am; noon-11pm, Fri-Sat 12.30pm-11pm. KOA Canvas Community, Dubai (04 320 1890).
Molten Chocolate Café
This famous chain has three stores in the UAE. With amazing hot chocolates, fondues, cakes, desserts and snacks, this little cocoa-focused café is a popular spot with families. But it’s not all chocolate. There are savoury brekkie dishes the kids will love like boiled eggs and brioche soldiers, filled croissants and French toast. And for mums and dads, there are savoury crêpes, omelettes and even a full fried breakfast for Dhs54. There are loads of sweet crepes and waffles too, which may prove impossible to resist.
Open daily 10am-10pm. Bawadi Mall, Al Ain; Dalma Mall, Abu Dhabi; Al Majaz, Sharjah, www.appareluae.com.
The Scene
Both the Dubai Marina and Yas Marina branches of TV chef Simon Rimmer’s The Scene are popular with families on a weekend. Dishes include pancakes, egg sandwiches and beans on toast, so there’s sure to be something to satisfy the whole gang on the menu here.
Sun-Wed noon-11pm, Thu noon-1am, Fri 10am-1am, Sat 10am-11pm. Dubai Marina, Dubai (04 4222 328); Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi (02 565 1330).
