Brunches in Dubai are a right of passage. It’s almost become a tourist destination, alongside desert safaris and trips to the gold souk. You generally cannot take a trip to Dubai or even spend a weekend here without the possibility of a brunch coming up. And, if you’re a resident, well, you know just how much of your pay cheque goes towards brunch. Traditionally, brunch is the combination of breakfast and lunch, allowing goers to have a little lie-in and a late breakfast. But in Dubai, the term ‘brunch’ has opened up entirely new avenues and we’ve practically coined the phrase “Friday brunch”. Choosing the brunch that’s the right fit for you depends on what you want to get out of the brunch itself. Whether you want to enjoy four or five hours of an all-you-can-eat sensation or you just want to start your weekend party early, there’s a brunch for everyone. With tasty treats from every corner of the world, Dubai has every kind of cuisine on offer - at every price range. If you’re looking to splash out for a special occasion or want something cheap and cheerful to fill your stomach, Dubai’s brunches are completely all-inclusive! If you’ve got a box, there’s a brunch out there that will definitely tick it! From cheap and cheerful, bank card busting and everything in between, we’ve sifted out a few of the hundreds of brunches in the region - there’s just too many to list them all.
Brunching On a Budget
(Dhs -200 at entry level)
Claw BBQ
For a hearty, wholesome barbecue, check out Claw BBQ. Claw’s BBQ brunch features a selection of barbecued meat, crab dishes, burgers and ribs in a chilled-out buzzy bar. Located in Souk Al Bahar, the restaurant’s outdoor terrace has unmissable views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountains. Call 04-4322300.
Lucky Voice
For the closeted Celines and Whitneys among us, Lucky Voice is the place to be. The restaurant/karaoke bar pulls out all the stops with food being served inside piñatas, sparklers and huge portions of food. If you’re brave enough, you can sign up for the lip-sync battle or continue the celebrations post-brunch in your private karaoke pod. Call 800-58259.
Jazz @ Pizza Express
Jazz @ Pizza Express Brunch sits somewhere in-between lowkey and high-fun. The food is simple and understated with all the goodness and flavour we’ve all come to love from Pizza Express. With live music and a buzzing environment, complete with seriously cool neon signs (perfect for Instagram) this brunch is seriously cool. Can we get some more dough balls please? Call 04-4416342.
Nezesaussi Grill
Check out Nezesaussi Grill for an afternoon of cool vibes and sports-themed fun, with pool and arcade games. The menu serves up good, wholesome treats like bangers and mash, burger sliders, pavlova, all-you-can-eat charcuterie and cheese - among others from New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. Call 04-8883444.
Mr Miyagis
Taste the flavours of Asian street food at Mr Miyagis. The Wok and Roll Brunch hosts an array of Asian dishes including dim sum, katsu curry and spring rolls. Be prepared to bop to old school classic hits sung live by a member of staff through the restaurant. 80’s and 90’s babies will simply adore this one! Call 04-4207489.
Don Corleone
We’re going to make you an offer you seriously cannot refuse. The appropriately named restaurant provides the absolute Godfather of brunches. With all-Italian goodies on the menu such as melanzane and tortellini, there’s something for everyone. Alongside the authentic Italian cuisine, there’s meat stations complete with chicken, fish and beef cooked to your liking! Call 04-3430000.
Fume
From the building that brought us 7 floors of food and beverages, comes an affordable and child-friendly brunch that will be sure to have you coming back for more. The lively atmosphere is more than hospitable for families and the venue even hosts a play-area for the little ones. Call 04-4215669.
Somewhere In-between Brunches
(Dhs 200-400 at entry level)
Brunch Nation at The Croft
Head West through the former British territories with a brunch that combines foodie delights with geography. Starting in Australia and traveling through Asia, guests can enjoy the tastes of hoisin duck, tikka masala and beef Wellington all under one roof. As well as incredible food, the backdrop of the Marina is guaranteed to marvel! Call 04-3194000.
Copper Dog
Forget Sundays, it’s all about the roast at every Saturday at Copper Dog. The warm and chilled out vibe alongside a full roast dinner is guaranteed to remind you of home. If you’re partial to a huge portion with all the trimmings, Copper Dog is perfect for you. Plus, there’s a pool table if you fancy a game after lunch! Call 04-5595355.
Secret Garden Brunch
Discover a culinary journey for the senses, offering curated dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients from the organic garden. Along with live cooking stations as well as a rotisserie and raclette station, the Secret Garden Brunch puts on quite the show. Call 04-8182222
Ewaan
Food, food and more food awaits at Ewaan. Situated in a gorgeous, traditional restaurant, the cooking stations have so much to offer. Start your food fest with an array of salads, then move to the roast station for meaty treats or a huge selection of seafood (complete with ice sculpture, of course) and finish up with a dessert station that’s bigger than you could even imagine. If you love to eat, you’ll love Ewaan. Call 04-8883444.
Candypants
If you’re looking to party, Candypants is your stop. Beverages served in watering cans, live (and loud) music and dancing on tables are just a few of the things on the menu at Candypants - and we haven’t even discussed the food! This brunch is the epitome of a wild ride! Call 04-4542927.
Yalumba
As one of Dubai’s most famed brunches, Yalumba is a to-do on every bruncher’s list. Prepare yourselves for an intrepid formula of spectacular food, bubbling bevvies and wacky games. Still got some party left in you? Hang around for Yalumba’s after-brunch party!
Call 04-7022455.
Hotel Cartagena
What do you get when you mix South America and the Carribbean? Heat. And it doesn’t get much hotter than brunch at Hotel Cartagena. Combine the spices of Latin-American flavours with a 360-degree view of the city and you’re in for a sensation like no other. Leave all your cares at home and live out the free, bohemian lifestyle at Hotel Cartagena. Call 04-5601799.
Splash Out Brunches
(Dhs 400+ at entry level)
Wanderlust
Wanderlust is an exciting mix of party and ‘all-you-can-eat-until-you-are-in-a-food-coma’. With 10 live cooking stations to take you on a gastronomic trip around the world. You can guarantee you will be leaving this brunch partied-out and pot-bellied. Call 04-4143000.
Saffron
An oldie but definitely a goodie, Saffron has been feeding our hearts as well as our tummies with over 200 dishes. With 20 live cooking stations, there’s almost too much food to list. The sushi and Indian stations definitely rank in the top foodie destinations. If you can think it, Saffron brunch can probably offer it! Call 04-4262626.
Bubbalicious
A feast for so much more than just your tastebuds, Bubbalicious treats all your senses. Spread across three restaurants; Blue Orange, Hunters and Spice Emporium, this brunch is a literal journey through the world of great cuisine. What’s on the menu? Italian, Arabic, Asian and French, as well as a butcher’s shop that serves up a divine roast dinner! Call 04-3994141.
Soho Garden
If you don’t fancy the early Friday morning wake up, Soho Garden offers a brunch experience that’s a little later. From 4-8pm, catch the last little part of the sun as it sets over the Dubai sky whilst sipping on a cool beverage. The brunch package includes a three-course meal as you bop to the House beats of resident DJs. Call 052-3888849.
Brasserie 2.0
Are you partial to pizza? Or a sucker for sushi? Foodie fanatics, we’ve got just the place for you! Wall-to-wall food is no longer just a dream, it’s officially become a reality at Brasserie 2.0. With fresh smoothies, a flame-grilled station and an unmissable dessert station - you’re going to need to sit down even before you’ve started! Call 04-3165550.
Zuma
Japan is no stranger to cooking up an absolute treat. Japanese restaurant, Zuma’s menu is made up of the finest ingredients straight out of Japan. Their Friday brunch offers unlimited starters, salads, sushi and sashimi with one hot main course and unlimited desserts! Call 04-4255660.