Whether you’re looking for the perfect matcha latte or a wholesome plate of balaleet, here’s where the capital does mornings best.
Abu Dhabi moves at its own pace — quieter than its neighbour Dubai, but no less considered. That same tone extends to the city’s breakfast scene, which spans lively waterfront cafés, boutique bakeries and heritage kitchens serving recipes that trace back to Bedouin traditions. From soufflé pancakes beside the mangroves to Parisian-inspired cafés by the sea, here are some of the best places to get breakfast in Abu Dhabi.
Art Market, Yas Island
For some, coffee comes first. Equal parts café, concept store, and creative platform, Art Market champions regional roasters and small-batch blends, with a menu that leans into craft (think pour-overs, V60 and slow drip). The breakfast menu is hearty and wholesome with doorstep-thick sandwiches, egg-filled croissants and colourful acai bowls. Set on the Yas Island waterfront, Art Market is where strong coffee, bold breakfasts and creative finds come together — and you might just leave with renewed inspiration.
Meylas, Al Raha Beach
“Food for the body isn’t enough, there must be food for the soul” goes the motto of this old-world Emirati eatery. Founded by Abu Dhabi foodie and entrepreneur, Shaikha Al Kaabi, Meylas began as a humble food truck and has since become a champion of authentic Emirati cuisine. The menu is generous and soulful, with a number of hard-to-find dishes made from recipes passed down through generations.
For breakfast, start with a tray of assorted Emirati breads and pancakes — regag, khameer, and chbaab — served with date syrup, local honey, and creamy cheese. Then there’s the balaleet: sweet vermicelli spiced with saffron and cardamom, crowned with a thin, savoury omelette. For something heartier (and certainly heavier), a warm bowl of harees offers depth and comfort, made from wheat and slow-cooked meat enriched with ghee.
The setting at Meylas is understated and nostalgic, with vintage radios, enamel teapots, and handwritten menus that recall a slower, older UAE. It isn’t polished or performative, and that’s exactly the point.
Society Abu Dhabi, Soul Beach
For breakfast on the seafront, Society Abu Dhabi is idyllic. Set along the soft arc of Soul Beach, this award-winning café opens out onto the sea, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing a sweep of sand and sky. The menu dishes up elevated comforts, including skillet shakshuka, creamy scrambled eggs, and green juices pressed to order. Society is one of the few places in the capital serving authentic khachapuri — a traditional Georgian bread dish filled with bubbling cheese, butter and a just-set egg.
Within, pale woods and natural textures mirror the beach just beyond. Whether you’re fuelling up after a morning swim or settling in for a long and easy brunch, this Abu Dhabi restaurant captures the softer, more laid-back side of Saadiyat life.
Otaku, Al Gurm Plaza
Breakfast at Otaku comes stacked and golden. Famous for its soufflé pancakes — thick, cloud-like, and just sweet enough — this hidden mangrove-side café in Al Gurm Plaza brings Kyoto calm to Abu Dhabi. On the savoury side, the miso-infused Otaku Benedict is a standout, as are the mushroom pancakes layered with bacon cream and spinach. Otaku’s interiors are pared-back and postmodern, with aesthetic textured stone and layered wood. The real treat here is the mangrove views: deep tidal green and blissfully soothing in the morning. Come early for the best seats, and don’t plan to rush.
Sanderson’s
Sanderson’s is something of a neighbourhood secret in Abu Dhabi. Hidden inside Al Seef Village, this light, leafy café feels more like a backyard than a restaurant, with long tables spilling onto a tree-shaded courtyard. The menu brings Californian ease with chunky avocado toasts, berry brioche stacks, and fresh juices on constant pour. Coffee and matcha are taken seriously, but the energy stays easy and upbeat, with genuinely friendly service. Be sure to keep an eye out for the small motivational quotes placed thoughtfully on the saucer of each brew.
Aptitude Café, Louvre Abu Dhabi
The jewel of Saadiyat Island, Louvre Abu Dhabi is a landmark institution that in many ways marked the beginning of the capital’s cultural renaissance. Overlooking the museum’s cavernous mashrabiya dome, Aptitude Café feels like a natural extension of its design — calm, composed, and quietly beautiful. Golden espressos, poached eggs and flaky pastries round out the menu, while the sea beyond shapes the atmosphere. After breakfast, there are few better ways to spend a morning than drifting through the Louvre’s galleries.
Parker’s, Umm Al Emarat
Tucked inside the verdant grounds of Umm Al Emarat Park, Parker’s is where Abu Dhabi’s breakfast crowd comes to play. Known for inventive twists on comfort food — think sweet croffles, za’atar-dusted benedicts and egg sliders stacked high — this lively café matches bold flavours with its playful setting. The energy is fast, friendly, and just theatrical enough without tipping into gimmick. Outdoor tables sit beneath trees, and the overall atmosphere captures the loose and relaxed spirit of a weekend morning. The coffee at Parker’s is stellar, but don’t skip the karak.
Dolce En Rose
Pretty in pink, Dolce En Rose is a Parisian-themed café on the Al Zahiyah waterfront. Mornings here are slower and sweeter, with picture-perfect flat whites, sumptuous cakes, and a hearty breakfast menu that covers everything from full English to simple chocolate croissants. Soft pastels, floral motifs and creative latte art (birds, no less), set a mood that is distinctively Gen-Z demure. In the cooler months, the waterfront terrace is particularly lovely for soaking up the winter sun with a warm cup of coffee.
Market at The EDITION, Al Bateen Marina
Part of The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Market is a hotel restaurant without the hotel fuss. Drenched in natural light, the space feels calm and quietly composed — an ideal setting for a slow, enriching start to the day. The open kitchen brings a subtle sense of theatre, with live stations serving up fresh eggs, smoked fish platters and artisanal pastries. Health-focused but unpretentious, Market makes space for both solo breakfasts and early meetings that linger over a second coffee.
