14 perfect brunches

We all have our favourites. The ones we swear by, the first one you ever went to or the one where you have to take every visitor, whether they’re interested in stuffing their face or not (because you like the pudding). But how about changing it up a little? Dubai’s fit to burst with brunch options, so we’ve done some digging, and undertaken a lot of eating, to uncover the city's finest, suitable for a range of occasions.

Perfect for ... five-star food
Spectrum on One
Variety of food: Split between different kitchens, the spread covers Japanese, Asian, European, seafood and an enormous pudding section. Oh, and did we mention the port and cheese room?
Best dish: For Sunday roast lovers, the hotel’s Yorkshire puds are hard to beat – a rarity in themselves in the desert.
Quality of food: Although Spectrum weighs in at the more costly end, the quality of the food is exceptional and the range on offer can be dazzling for those who haven’t been before.
Layout/presentation: Spectrum’s a large restaurant but because the tables and kitchens are essentially in different rooms, you aren’t overwhelmed. You might have a problem remembering where the melt-in-the-mouth dim sum are, but you’re not faced with wall-to-wall dishes. As to be expected at this price, food is delicately arranged and stunningly presented.
Atmosphere: When it’s busy, it’s really busy, when it’s half empty it’s much better. More refined than the mega brunches of Al Qasr or Saffron, it works better for smaller groups or couples rather than rowdy birthdays.
Setting: Unfortunately, there’s no al fresco area (although there is an in-house cigar bar where you can smoke).
Value for money: For a special occasion or for impressing visitors, the cost is worth it.
Entertainment: There’s no laid on entertainment. Because of this, families with small children tend to be few on the ground (leaving you to raid the pick n’ mix guilt free).
Service: Amazing service. Glasses topped up continually, plates cleared and chairs pulled out every time you make a dash for just one more bit of cheesecake.
Dhs295 per person (soft drinks only); Dhs395 (with selected house beverages); Dhs550 (with bubbly). Fri noon-3pm. The Fairmont, Sheikh Zayed Road (04 311 8316).