Azur
The vibe: A light and airy all-day-dining restaurant on the third floor of Raffles Dubai. Azur is one of the city’s most sophisticated breakfast spots (and possibly its priciest).

The breakfast: The well-stocked buffet breakfast (Dhs120) includes everything from croissants to cold cuts and curry. The eggs are great, as is the smoked salmon and wide assortment of pastries. However, steer clear of the sausages – a grim anomaly in an otherwise delicious spread.

Perfect for… Impressing visitors or winning over the in-laws.
Breakfast served daily 6am-10am. Raffles Dubai, next to Wafi, Oud Metha (04 314 9888)

Carluccio’s
The vibe: We love this place in the morning. Why? Because it’s much calmer than at midday.

The breakfast: We often spend Friday mornings at this classy Italian chain, gorging ourselves on mushrooms. Order any of the breakfasts featuring funghi (Mr Carluccio’s favourite ingredient, it seems) and you won’t be disappointed. We chose the scrambled eggs and mushrooms (Dhs28), the muesli (Dhs24), and cappuccino (Dhs16). Avoid the bread basket though: stale and underwhelming.

Perfect for… A weekend family treat.
Breakfast served daily from 10am. The Dubai Mall (04 434 1320). Other locations: Dubai Marina Mall (04 399 7844), Mirdif City Centre (04 284 3728)

Circle
The vibe: A chic retro air pervades at Circle, while floor-to-ceiling windows afford great views of Jumeirah Park.

The breakfast: We like the perfectly poached eggs Benedict with smoked salmon (Dhs30), washed down with a fresh mango juice (Dhs15).

Perfect for… Reading the papers on a lazy Saturday morning, or simply watching the park life pass by.
Breakfast served daily 9am-noon. Beach Park Plaza Centre, Jumeirah (04 342 8177). Other location: Dubai Media City (04 391 5170)

Ikea
The vibe: Well, it’s, um, a café located inside a big warehouse of flat-packed furniture, so don’t expect too much in the way of atmosphere.

The breakfast: What the Ikea café lacks in character and homeliness (an irony considering the store is jam-packed with furniture and household accessories) it makes up for in price: pay just Dhs4 – yes, you read that correctly – for beef sausage, eggs hash browns and baked beans. Needless to say, it’s not worthy of a Michelin star, but at this price we’re really not complaining.

Perfect for… Those who only have Dhs4 to spend on breakfast, and/or anyone needing an early-morning energy boost before heading into flat-pack-furniture heaven/hell (depending on how you look at it).
Breakfast served daily 9am-11am. Dubai Festival City (04 203 7555)

Fibber Magee’s
The vibe: This pub is the closest you’ll get to Dublin without jumping on an Emirates flight.

The breakfast: Fans of the fry-up, pay attention – Fibber’s serves a cracking breakfast of black pudding, real bacon, sausages, mushrooms and a couple of slices of toast (Dhs42).

Perfect for… Anyone needing an excuse to sit in the pub for a few more hours than usual.
Breakfast served daily 8am-11am. Sheikh Zayed Road, behind Crowne Plaza Hotel (04 332 2400)