Kopitiam by Chandy’s

In Malaysia, a kopitiam is a traditional coffee shop where people meet over breakfast, strong coffee and simple, satisfying dishes, and Kopitiam by Chandy's brings that idea to downtown Abu Dhabi. It is a small, laid-back place on Al Falah Street, near Old Passport Road, and it is listed in the 2026 Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi, which also includes it among the city's best breakfast spots and best Asian restaurants.

The owner, Chandy, and his team run the place with warmth and professionalism, and the Michelin inspectors note how much they want guests to enjoy their visit. The space is very clean, and you can see into the spotless kitchen. The menu is short and affordable, and a blackboard lists daily specials, so it is worth checking what is on before you order.

Breakfast is served all day. The classic order is nasi lemak, coconut rice served with fried eggs. There is also a breakfast combination of roti bakar, toasted bread, with two boiled eggs, in the style you would find in a Malaysian coffee shop. The dish the inspectors recommend most is roti jala. Pair your food with a coffee or tea and you have a filling meal for very little.

The kopitiam suits budget travellers, solo diners, families and anyone curious about Malaysian food, and it is a refreshing change from the hotel breakfasts that most visitors to Abu Dhabi end up eating. No alcohol is served, and the atmosphere is informal.

According to the Michelin Guide, the restaurant opens from 08:00 to 22:00 every day except Tuesday, when it is closed. Bookings are handled by the restaurant directly, so call ahead if you are a larger group, although for most visits you can simply walk in.

Al Falah Street is within easy reach by taxi from the Corniche and the city-centre hotels. A breakfast here can be combined with a morning at Qasr Al Hosn and the House of Artisans in downtown Abu Dhabi. Because the menu is short and changes with the daily specials, it rewards a second visit, and the team is happy to explain dishes to first-timers.