Dubai’s Kind of Brunch – My 2014 List

November 12, 2014 by lauriceonurscreen 2 Comments

The standard definition of “brunch” –that meal which is eaten late in the morning and serves as breakfast and lunch extending until 3PM –has been revolutionized here in Dubai.

With 80% expats population coming from over 100 different nations, Dubai can easily be the best breeding ground for something new and exciting. Add to the clamor, being in an Islamic country such as UAE, consuming alcohol is prohibited in public and should be expended legally (one has to have a license to drink alcohol and must consume it at a licensed restaurant/bar).

The “Dubai Brunch” is one fun experience for expats and recently for tourists as well. It is a regular Friday (weekend in Dubai) event at restaurants (also available on Saturdays and Thursday nights –“dupper”) to celebrate events like birthdays or just a plain expat-Friday-weekend schedule to gather expat friends alike. The fun-loving expats chow down and drink up and get liquored as early as 12NN, then continue the spree during happy hour until they’re wobbly!

As of this November 2014, I have been into the following restaurants for a Friday/Saturday Brunch. And I have put them in order of satisfaction rating (in food and entertainment/ambience), with ones listed last as my top favorites for 2014).

1. Pachanga (Hilton, JBR) – the layout of the restaurant is just off. The stage for the band does not front most of the tables and the buffet is tucked much inside from the guests; food isn’t memorable either.
2. Double Decker (Al Murooj Rotana, Downtown) – mostly young crowd, cheap alcoholic package, DJ and live band
3. Bice Mare (Hilton, JBR) – Ok Italian food, but not exceptional; live piano music makes it a little alive.
4. Saffron (Atlantis, Palm Jumeirah) – a huge brunch party! The most popular in Dubai I suppose. Extensive food selection, but mostly people come here to drink right on!
5. Belgian Beer Café (Millennium, TECOM) – Waffles, mussels, Leffe and Kriek are enough to convince
6. Jazz Pizza Express (JLT) – nicely priced brunch although limited to pizza/pasta and Italian cuisine –the live jazz band playing with attentive service makes it a good selection
7. Fogueira (Ramada, JBR) – fantastic churrascaria with live band and entertainment, small/cozy place with nice outdoor view of Marina from the terrace (we came here twice this year!)
8. Yalumba (Le Meridien, Garhoud) – expensive but extensive quality food and alcoholic packages, finish off dancing with the DJ’s retro/80’s music at the terrace

There are few more Brunch places to experience around Dubai –> heard of Traiteur (French) as fantastic said my husband as well as Zuma (Japanese); note the pioneers of the Dubai Brunch like Spectrum On One, Legends, Toro Toro, and much more. Google “Dubai Brunch” and have fun reading loads of recommendations.

Looking forward to my 2015 Dubai Brunch list! Keep calm and Brunch on.