Kuwait Times

Published Date: October 17, 2008
By Jamie Etheridge

Fluffy pancakes with sweet ricotta cream. Warm, soft homemade biscuits with sausage gravy. Fresh brewed coffee, fried bacon and scrambled eggs. If you are American or have ever been to America, then the odds are you are familiar with our favorite meal of the day. Breakfast isn't just an early morning repast but an experience to look forward to, a reason to leap out of bed just as the sun is rising. Finding a great breakfast in Kuwait, however, is a challenge for even the most stubborn breakfast enthusiast.


An Arab country with thousands of restaurants, Kuwait is sorely lacking in places - typically known as diners - that serve American-style breakfast. Chains like Johnny Rockets provide the most obvious alternative. With egg omelets, fried egg sandwiches, pancakes and coffee and OJ, the diner-like atmosphere has all the trappings of Americana. After a while though, I want a change.

The breakfast elite go to the five-star hotels in Kuwait. They all serve buffet style breakfast that includes fruit, pancakes, toast, muffins, eggs and etc. I like the variety but the top tier toast is too rich for my taste.

I like the baqala breakfasts better. For instance, some enterprising breakfast connoisseur recently opened this great little place in Fahaheel. The Early Bird has all the basics and the prices are great. I like to go early in the morning, since it's small and fills up fast. The service is the nicest I've encountered so far and definitely makes it worth the drive to Fahaheel.

My husband is a fan of the curbside Arabic restaurants that serve mushakal. A falafel wrap with lettuce, tomato and tahina sauce, the mushakal is quick and easy and great with a cocktail of orange, mango and banana juice. I never had one till I moved to Kuwait and now I can't seem to live without them.

Breakfast wouldn't be breakfast without a steaming cup o' joe. Finding good American coffee here - and I mean fresh brewed, non-Starbucks, non-Nescafe - is nearly impossible. Kuwait is king when it comes to Turkish coffee. I've fallen in love with Arabic coffee and even have the occasional French cafe. But plain old java like my mom makes, that's a different story. Maybe I'll have to invite her for a visit so she can teach me how to brew up a pot.

Not being much of a cook myself, I have always looked for great places for breakfast. This past month, I think I may have found it: My own kitchen. My wonderful hubby has taken up the challenge with zeal. He whips up walnut pancakes with maple syrup, fried egg sandwiches and fresh oj before I even get out of bed. He's even taken to inviting friends over (at 9am, they must forgive me if I'm still in my pjs) and throwing 'breakfast' parties. We sit around the kitchen table, sipping coffee and sharing the lat
est news and gossip. It's a great way to start the day and the weekend. Now that I've found the perfect breakfast cook and can get service at home, I'm hoping to eventually end up with breakfast in bed.

Kuwait Times invites all readers to send their own version of My Kuwait. Maybe you love shopping? Or maybe you spent a great day at the beach? Share your story with us and the readers of Friday Times.

Send via email to local@kuwaittimes.net or via fax 491-4444, attn: Jamie