JLT has plenty of independent cafés, and my 2016 breakfast at Friends Avenue gave me a good reason to explore the neighborhood. A generous Breakfast Board for me, a Green Morning Bowl for Hubs, and a firm yes to a return visit. My advice? Come hungry.

We were collecting a car near Tower X, which gave us an excuse to stop for breakfast in Cluster T. Finding a parking spot was the less enjoyable part of the morning—no fault of the café, but definitely part of the adventure.

Frustrations with parking aside, I was immediately delighted by the menu and selections inside Friends Avenue.  The fit out is similar to other similar cafes -- exposed brick, concrete floors, and tables that can be pushed together (with available outdoor seating in the cooler months). Hungry from our busy day, I opted for the Breakfast Board, while Hubs took on the Green Morning Bowl, along with a cappuccino and freshly squeezed orange juice. Quickly, our drinks arrived and shortly after that, our breakfast.  Given this take on the traditional full English, I have to say I might prefer this spread.  With an inclusion of 2 poached eggs, roasted tomatoes, basil hummus, homemade guacamole, shredded asparagus salad, organic fresh chorizo, balsamic buttered mushrooms, and special labneh spread and rye toast, my suggestion is that you come hungry.  I would also advise getting the eggs a bit firmer than you usually might (although sometimes a little mess isn't a bad thing).  Hubs' choice looked equally delicious: poached eggs served with grilled halloumi, almonds, avocado, quinoa, lemon and sauteed kale and spinach, which was completely finished (this was a strict no sharing dining experience). Friends Avenue Cafe Friends Avenue Cafe The bill came in at AED130, which seems just a tiny bit on the high side (the drinks added on an additional AED45).  My suggestion to the restaurant would be to give patrons a hot or cold beverage as part of the breakfast choices. Would I go back?  Absolutely!  The lunch menu looks tasty (as does the PBJ French Toast) and I'll have to check if they deliver out to JVC (the Deliveroo drivers were in and out during our visit).  

More breakfast reading: Read my archive review of gluten-free French toast at Tawa Bakery in Abu Dhabi, or explore more Dubai dining stories.

For what I’m eating—and recommending—now, read Weekly A to Z on Substack.