They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and if you must know, a hotel breakfast could possibly be my favourite type of breakfast.
Lying awake in the freshest, silkiest of hotel sheets, my anticipation is palpable; my stomach rumbles with one resounding thought: the hotel breakfast.
There’s something in these words that elicits excitement, indulgence, a sense of freedom. As someone who tends to skip the most important meal of the day in favour of a quick hit of an iced latte, the breakfast offering is one of the first things I research when booking a hotel. I measure each stay by piles of pancakes, the pain au chocolats and paratha.
Consider this my sweeping love letter to Dubai’s best hotel breakfasts:
1. Gastronomy at Atlantis the Royal
The inspiration for this article, Gastronomy, despite being relatively new, this breakfast buffet needs no introduction. Featuring chocolate fountains (yes, plural), a stone-fired pizza oven (blazing from 6am), an on-site coffee roaster, an ice-cream sundae bar, a dedicated area for freshly baked goods, and much much more, this is the most extravagant buffet you’ll find in Dubai. Here, no detail goes unnoticed – the talented culinary team cure their own salmon, roast their own coffee beans, and bake their own pastries in-house. Whilst you wait for your fresh juice to be pressed in front of your eyes, a large-scale art installation inspired by Giuseppe Arcimboldo casts a discerning eye on your final selection.
Daily from 7am - midday, prices from Dhs 315
Enjoy a late breakfast every Saturday & Sunday from midday - 3pm, prices from Dhs 315
Book your table here
@atlantistheroyal
2. The Bay at Mandarin Oriental, Jumeira
At The Bay, the word of the day is fresh. Think freshly squeezed juices, beautifully displayed exotic fruits, and a refreshing variety of healthy options – all served steps away from the ocean. Everything on the à la carte menu feels intentional, whilst the lavish buffet spread spans Western, Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. For overnight guests, the real difference isn’t the food, it’s the restaurant team. The way they remember your room number, your exact coffee order, and yesterday’s favourite dish. This warm and attentive service means you won’t feel rushed and can settle into the day at your own pace.
Whilst typically only for hotel guests, The Bay will open on January 1 for a special festive breakfast priced at Dhs225 per adult.
Book your table here
@thebaydubai
3. Brasserie 2.0 at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa
Perhaps an unexpected addition to this list, but my personal favourite. From Indian dosa to French crepes, there’s truly something for everyone at Brasserie 2.0. More than the exceptional food, this bright and modern venue echoes a feeling of homecoming – understated, and unpretentious. There’s even a resident falcon who wards crows away from the croissants. Arrive bleary-eyed, with your slippers on, and grab a seat on the outdoor terrace overlooking the pool for the most relaxed start to the day.
Open daily from 6.30am - 11am, Prices from Dhs 155 per adult and Dhs 75 per child,
Book your table here
@brasserie2.0
4. Jou Jou at Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach
Inside, Jou Jou claims to be inspired by a vibrant Mediterranean food market but more closely resembles a luxury designer store. Innumerable flavours of yoghurt and cold cuts are perfectly arranged against low-lit, refrigerated shelves, whilst walls on walls of exquisite French patisserie beckon your name. The outside terrace is even more picturesque, featuring a central mosaic design surrounded by verdant gardens. Kick off with an invigorating lemon, aloe vera and ginger shot before exploring the expansive international options: Russian syrniki (pancakes) and pelmeni (dumplings), a dedicated miso soup station from Japan, and Middle Eastern foul and manakish. Even the honey tells a story, with different varieties from Hatta, Yemen and further afield.
For non-hotel guests, the breakfast buffet is available between 7am – 11am daily,
Prices start from Dhs 215 per adult, and Dhs 106 per child
Make a reservation here
@joujoudubai
5. The Fore at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
Read our full review of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab here
Impossibly elegant, The Fore evolves from four individual restaurants by night into one, cohesive breakfast destination – unlocking moving panels and hidden walls each morning like some wonderful Japanese puzzle box. What is revealed is a lavish experience overlooking the iconic silhouette of the Burj Al Arab and the surrounding super-yacht marina. This sense of grandeur continues to the food. Guests can indulge in an extraordinary feuillette station, dive into fresh oysters and generous seafood towers, make their own acai bowl, or else order one of the à la carte specialties such as truffle scrambled eggs and lobster Benedict. Even the kids will be delighted with pebble-sized chocolate chip cookies masquerading as cereal, served with a splash of ice-cold cereal-infused milk.
Our recommendation? Go well-dressed and definitely go hungry. Unfortunately this unmissable breakfast spread is only available to in-house guests... Believe me when I say, this is the perfect excuse for a staycation at the incredible Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Or for those not wanting to shell out, you can book a table and get a taste of an indulgent all-day breakfast menu at The Commodore Club in the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab Residences nearby.
