Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and is not to be trifled with (although a breakfast that includes trifle could be pretty cool). We’ve searched high and low for the best places to break your fast all over the city: strictly breakfast, no massive buffet brunches allowed.

Arabic

Sabah W Masa: The name literally means ‘morning until evening’ and that’s what this place is offering – some of the best Arabic morning feast options around. Complete with traditional open oven, the staff here can do magical things with eggs and halloumi. Our Lebanese friends assure us this is where they go when they crave a taste of Beirut for breakfast, and we’re pretty sure they wouldn’t lie to us. Plus, it tasted pretty good when we stopped by for a bite. And with an easy-going take-out option, this is the place to go if you fancy surprising someone with breakfast in bed without, you know, actually having to cook yourself.
Salwa Road, near Ramada roundabout (4444 4585). Open Wed-Fri 24 hours; Sat-Tue 7am-1am. Breakfast served all day.

Zaatar W Zeit: The baked halloumi here has taught us there’s more to breakfast than eggs and toast. Located in Souk Waqif, this is the place to set up for a long haul in the sun, complete with Lebanese breakfast. With savoury sandwiches and delicious pickles, that storied halloumi (it makes us think it’s deep fried, but no, it’s just baked – our arteries thank you) will do if you crave salt in the morning. Also on offer is fatayar involving Nutella, which can never be a bad thing, plus neverending juice and ice tea.
Souk Waqif (4431 5224). Open Sat-Wed 8am-1am; Thu-Fri 24 hours. Breakfast served all day.