Café Arabia

Homey Arabic setting, with food to match
Word to the wise: Café Arabia puts out an extremely reasonable brunch at just AED 65, including a fantastic spread of Arabic mezze.

Popular plate: For an Egyptian take on Italian risotto, go for the Arabic seafood rux, a fresh combo of greens, pesto and al dente rice.
It’s easy to confuse Café Arabia for a furniture storeroom, or perhaps a local's living room, albeit one with immaculate taste. The café doubles as a boutique, and overstuffed sofas, quirky knick-knacks and an assortment of tasteful art make for a particularly interesting decor.

Aida Mansour, the café’s owner, gives the menu similarly homey embellishments, using recipes handed down to her by various family members. The café is open from breakfast all the way through to dinner, and serves up large mains and snack-sized cakes with equal skill.