Best Lebanese Brunch in Dubai: Friday Feasts, Morning Spreads & Family Tables
In Dubai, Friday brunch is a near-sacred institution — and Lebanese brunch may be the city's most underappreciated version of it. While the city's hotel brunches get the headlines, the Lebanese Friday spread — a slow, generous, convivial feast of mezze, grills, and sweet pastries that stretches from late morning to mid-afternoon — offers something far more intimate and, frankly, more delicious.
Lebanese brunch in Dubai exists on a spectrum: from the informal family breakfast of hummus, eggs and manakish, to the full theatrical production of a Lebanese restaurant's Friday lunch feast. We've done all of them, repeatedly, and this is our guide to the best.
What Is a Lebanese Brunch?
- Traditional Lebanese breakfast: labneh, olives, eggs, zaatar, white cheese, flatbread
- Full morning meze spread: hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, baba ganoush, plus hot dishes
- Friday lunch feast: the complete Lebanese table — meze, mixed grill, desserts
- Manakish boards: Lebanese flatbreads with toppings, the quintessential weekend morning
- Lebanese dessert spread: knafeh, baklawa, maamoul and fresh fruit
The Best Lebanese Brunch Experiences in Dubai
Em Sherif — Friday Feast
| Course | What's Included |
|---|---|
| Cold Mezze (selection of 8) | Hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, baba ganoush, labneh, warak dawali, kibbeh nayyeh, seasonal |
| Hot Mezze (selection of 4) | Sawda dajaj, fried kibbeh, makanek, sambousek |
| Mixed Grill | Kafta, shish tawook, lamb chops, chicken wings |
| Desserts | Knafeh, baklawa, fresh fruit |
Dubai's finest Lebanese brunch. Not cheap, but worth every dirham for a special occasion. The Friday energy at Em Sherif is unlike anywhere else in the city.
Ayamna — Friday Terrace Feast
| What's Included | Price |
|---|---|
| Friday Set Menu (mezze + main + dessert) | AED 250pp |
| À la carte mezze available | From AED 45/dish |
| Beverages | Not included |
The most visually stunning Lebanese brunch in Dubai. Book the terrace — the indoor tables, while comfortable, miss the point. Go on a clear morning for the best Burj Khalifa backdrop.
Bab El Bahr by Hallab — Friday Lunch at the Beach
The best Lebanese brunch for families and groups who want a relaxed, outdoor experience without a fixed menu or time pressure. No reservation needed for lunch — arrive before noon to secure the best tables.
Traditional Lebanese Breakfast in Dubai
Beyond the full-scale Friday feast, the Lebanese breakfast — a quieter, more intimate spread — is equally worthy of your weekend morning. Dubai has several excellent spots for the traditional Lebanese morning table.
Manakish Boards
The Lebanese breakfast flatbread — topped with zaatar and olive oil, akkawi cheese, or a spiced minced meat mixture. Best eaten fresh from the clay oven, torn with your hands.
Labneh Board
Strained yoghurt cheese, drizzled with olive oil and dusted with zaatar, served with olives, sliced cucumber and tomato, and warm flatbread. Simple perfection.
Lebanese Eggs
Beiruti-style eggs sautéed with onion, tomato, coriander and green chilli — similar to shakshuka but distinctly Lebanese. Often accompanied by sujuk (spiced Lebanese sausage).
Lebanese Sweets Board
A selection of Lebanese pastries: knafeh (warm, sweet cheese pastry drenched in sugar syrup), baklawa with pistachio or walnut, maamoul date cookies, and meghli rice pudding.
Tips for Lebanese Brunch in Dubai
Friday is the peak day — book Em Sherif and Ayamna at least two weeks in advance for Friday lunch. Saturday is slightly easier to walk into. For a traditional Lebanese breakfast, head to a Lebanese bakery in Deira or Jumeirah before 10am — the fresh manakish are extraordinary at that hour. At casual spots like Bab El Bahr, arriving before noon secures the best outdoor tables.
Lebanese Brunch Quick Reference
Lebanese Brunch Dubai — FAQ
What is the best Lebanese brunch in Dubai?
Em Sherif's Friday lunch feast is the finest Lebanese brunch in the city — a multi-course, unhurried celebration of Lebanese cuisine. For a more affordable option with an outstanding setting, Bab El Bahr at JBR is the top casual pick.
How much does a Lebanese brunch cost in Dubai?
Prices range from AED 60–100 per person for a casual Lebanese Friday lunch at Al Safadi, up to AED 280 per person for the full Em Sherif Friday feast. Most mid-range Lebanese restaurant brunches fall in the AED 120–180 per person range, excluding drinks.
Do Lebanese restaurants in Dubai serve brunch on Saturdays?
Yes — most Lebanese restaurants serve their full menus on both Friday and Saturday. The Friday crowd is typically larger and more celebratory. Saturday is often easier for walk-ins and slightly more relaxed.
What is a traditional Lebanese breakfast?
A traditional Lebanese breakfast features labneh (strained yoghurt with olive oil), olives, white cheese, fresh vegetables, eggs, and warm flatbread (khubz or marquq). Manakish — flatbreads with zaatar, cheese or meat — are the quintessential Lebanese breakfast dish and are available fresh from Lebanese bakeries across Dubai from early morning.
