Friends Avenue Cafe: Worth the trip to JLT.

For those not in the know, JLT (that’s Jumeirah Lakes Towers) has a host of non-chain restaurants.  Due to its free zone capacity, there are venues here that don’t exist anywhere else in Dubai (and are all the better for it!).  One of those places is Friends Avenue Cafe, a charming little spot that everyone in JLT inevitably already knows about.  Needing to collect a car (Hubs works in nearby Tower X), we left early enough to secure a parking spot in one of the tiny areas in Cluster T.  No fault of the cafe, but as a tangent, the parking situation in JLT is what stops me from visiting more often — I can’t stand the system (or waiting)!

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).

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).