Charlie & Friends — Restaurant in Dubai

I've just stumbled upon the newest gem in Dubai's JBR area, and let me tell you, it's a culinary adventure you won't want to miss. Welcome to Charlie and Friends, where Levantine cuisine meets contemporary charm.

As soon as I stepped into this tropical oasis, I knew I was in for a treat. With pastel colors that put you at ease and a relaxed vibe that invites you to unwind, this place is an absolute haven. And the best part? The aroma of their fresh bakery treats is simply irresistible—no wonder their delicious goodies fly off the shelf!

Now, let's talk breakfast. I kicked off my morning with a Slovakian surprise called "Chleba Vo Vajci." Picture a brioche, fried to perfection in eggs, then topped off with mouthwatering salsa and Parmesan cheese. Trust me when I say it was surprisingly scrumptious.

I couldn't resist diving into the classic breakfast staple: Eggs Benedict. Charlie and Friends nailed it with their crispy baked croissant muffins, delectable smoked ham, and a hollandaise sauce that made my taste buds dance with joy. It truly hit the spot, and then some.

However, my heart (and stomach) belonged to the Croque Madame. Imagine a heavenly concoction of creamy Bechamel, luscious Gruyere cheese, and a sunny side up—all resting gracefully on top of a Shokupan. Oh, and let's not forget the sliced truffle, smoked ham, and a generous swipe of Dijon mustard. Breakfast heaven, my friends. Absolute breakfast heaven.

To sweeten the deal, I indulged in a pistachio and raspberry cake. It was the perfect ending to my breakfast adventure, and when paired with their aromatic coffee, it took me to cloud nine. Speaking of which, their coffee is made with fresh, high-quality beans that make every sip an exquisite delight. Trust me, you'll remember why good coffee is a must.

So, my fellow food lovers, mark my words: Charlie and Friends in JBR is a must-visit spot. With its unique blend of Levantine flavors, friendly service, and relaxing ambiance, it's the perfect place for a laid-back breakfast. You can bet I'll be returning soon for another delightful morning...

This was the first time I’ve ever experienced service like this in a restaurant. I made an admittedly odd request when ordering my food—I wanted to sample all three gnocchi dishes as a 3-in-1. I figured it was a ridiculous ask, but to my surprise, the waitress (shoutout to Cho!) took me seriously and actually went to ask the chefs. I was even more surprised when they said yes, which was hilarious. xD They told me they’d do it just this once, SO IF YOU’RE READING THIS, DON’T JUST GO ORDERING IT (but also… order it).

Now, let’s talk about the food. Without a doubt, the Butter Sage Veal Bacon Gnocchi takes the crown. The sauce alone was rich, velvety, and full of depth, but the crispy bacon came in like a plot twist—adding bursts of smoky, fatty goodness just as you started craving another bite. Every bite was pure indulgence.

The Basil Pesto Gnocchi and Tomato Parmesan Gnocchi are tied in this race. They’re classic gnocchi dishes, sure, but this restaurant sets the bar high—other places should take notes. The basil pesto was fresh, fragrant, and packed with flavor, the kind of sauce that makes you rethink all the mediocre pesto dishes you’ve had in the past. It’s just a shame it had to compete against the absolute powerhouse that is the Butter Sage Veal.

As for the Tomato Parmesan Gnocchi, it tasted like home. A simple tomato sauce, done right—deep, rich, and balanced, with just enough parmesan to bring everything together. Sometimes, simplicity wins.

Let’s not forget about the gnocchi itself. Soft, pillowy, slightly chewy—the kind of texture that makes you want to stack three onto your fork at once. They acted as the perfect foundation, stepping back to let the sauces shine while still being satisfying on their own.

Ladies and gentlemen, no matter which one you choose, I’m sure you won’t regret it. (Go for the Butter Sage Veal though. Seriously.) My only complaint? The portion was too small for something this good. Then again… I’m trying to lose weight, so maybe that’s a blessing in disguise.

Thank you,...

We found Charlie & friends restaurant while walking around JBR and we felt so good there that we returned there again a few days later. For the first time we sat on the terrace and tried Veal Schnitzel, Pesto Gnocchi, Burger, Pasta Bolognese and Maracuja mohito. The food was amazing. The service was fast and very friendly. We also had the opportunity to try several types of pastries and cakes that are baked right in the restaurant including exceptional strawberry dumplings (definitely try them). We spent a really nice family evening here. A few days later we returned, this time we sat in the interior of the restaurant (very cozy and designer interior) and we tried Borscht style soup, Risotto with seafood, Grilled Salmon with vegetable, Pizza and other sweet treats. The restaurant also serves typical Slovak dishes such as Sviečková, Koprowka and others, and the restaurant offers a very extensive breakfast menu (you won't know what to choose), which we will try next time. We would like to thank the very helpful and friendly ladies from the Philippines for their service. We are looking forward to our next visit. More on...