The Top Places to Eat Cheap in Dubai
Dubai has become a gastronomic wonderland filled with restaurants of all shapes and sizes serving cuisines from almost every part of the world.
So, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just craving good food for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you won’t have any shortage of options in the city.
But if you’re a little tight on the budget, you don’t need to worry because we rounded up the best places around Dubai where you can enjoy good food without breaking the bank.
Cheap Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Dubai
Saving money doesn’t have to mean skipping breakfast because in Dubai, you can grab breakfast or brunch without worrying about the bill later.
Here are three of the best spots in the city to get your day started right with a good meal:
Zaroob
Website: http://www.zaroob.com/
Address: Radisson Blu Residences – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact details: +971 4 435 5000
Operating hours: 7:00 Am to 1:00 AM (Daily)
Price: Approximately AED 140 for two guests
If you’re looking for a cozy place where you can eat good food with family and friends over great conversations, prepare to be surprised at Zaroob.
This restaurant pays homage to the street markets of Lebanon and Jordan and that reflects on the place’s interiors.
The casual vibe with street art on the walls and simple furniture will make you and your guests feel right at home at Zoorab.
But while the restaurant is simple, there’s nothing ordinary about its food because it has some of the best Arabian dishes that you’ll find in the city.
The restaurant takes pride in using only the best ingredients and homemade authentic sauces, which is why it has been such a huge hit for locals and tourists.
Pro tip:
Head to the restaurant right after it opens since this place easily gets packed with diners.
Ravi Restaurant
Address: Al Dhiyafa Road – Satwa – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact details: +971 4 331 5353
Operating hours: 5:00 AM to 2:00 AM (Daily)
Price: Approximately AED 85 for two guests
Are you looking to celebrate a birthday or any special occasion over breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Ravi Restaurant is all about good food in a simple setting and at pocket-friendly prices.
Serving authentic Pakistani dishes, this popular dining spot in Satwa has some of the best grilled meats, curries and naan bread that you can find in Dubai.
Celebrating in Ravi Restaurant means getting to feast on succulent meat dishes paired with authentic Indian side dishes.
Pro tip:
Whether you’re coming for breakfast, lunch or dinner, don’t take your chances and call ahead to book a table to avoid getting disappointed since the restaurant is always packed.
Mama’esh
Website: https://www.mamaesh.com/
Address: Bayswater Tower – Waterfront – Marasi Drive – Business Bay – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact details: +971 4 453 8166
Operating hours: 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM (Daily)
Price: Approximately AED 105 for two guests
Mama’esh takes a simple and no-nonsense approach to good food.
With the tagline “Palestine is a bite away,” you can expect delicious Palestinian flavors made with only the best ingredients.
With six locations around Dubai, Mama’esh is an institution in Dubai and has been a part of many celebrations over the years.
The restaurant’s interiors offer a relaxing and cozy vibe that will make you feel right at home while waiting for your food.
Mama’esh is known for its traditional manaesh flatbreads that are baked on a wood fired stone oven giving it that distinct flavor.
You also get to enjoy free tea and complimentary bread if you dine in at the restaurant.
Mama’esh serves some of the best appetizers including its famous oven-baked halloumi.
You should also try their best selling breakfast platters, salads and chicken trays that have been a favorite among locals for many years.
You also need to take home some of the restaurant’s best breads and pastries like their famous Nabulsi Kunafa Rolls, Umm Husam Ka’ek and Chocobanana.
Mama’esh also bottles some of its famous teas including its hibiscus pomegranate rose tea, Moroccan mint tea and peach mango jasmine with white peony tea.
Pro tip:
Mama’esh is always full of diners at any given day. So, if you’re dining with a group for a celebration, it’s best to book a table ahead to avoid the long wait.
Cheap Lunch Spots in Dubai
You don’t need to spend a lot to treat yourself or your family and friends to a great meal over lunch.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or you just want to indulge in a hearty meal over great conversations, we got you covered with these recommendations:
Bu Qtair
Website: https://www.visitdubai.com/en/places-to-visit/bu-qtair
Address: Old 32B Street – Fishing Harbour 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact details: +971 55 705 2130
Operating hours:
- 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM (Saturday to Thursday)
- 1:30 PM to 11:30 PM (Friday)
Price: Approximately AED 120 for two guests
When it comes to excellent but budget-friendly seafood, locals and tourists agree that Bu Qtair is the best restaurant in the city.
This no-frills restaurant is right by the fishing harbor allowing you to choose what’s been freshly delivered and have it cooked to your liking.
Bu Qtair is known for putting Middle Eastern flavors to seafood and since your orders are priced per weight, you can enjoy huge servings for groups at a lower cost.
This is why a lot of locals go to the restaurant for birthday lunches, corporate gatherings or even just a good night out with friends over delicious seafood.
Try Bu Qtair’s fried fish of the day, fish curry or barbeque shrimp. Don’t expect to get a menu since the restaurant serves what’s freshly caught for the day.
Pro tip:
Bu Qtair has become a tourist attraction in Dubai. So, if you want to get the best seats in the house, book a table in advance, especially if you’re dining as a group.
The Little Bali
Website: https://littlebali.ae/
Address: Cluster U Al Seef 3 Tower Lake Level – Shop No.1 – Jumeirah Lake Towers – Dubai – United Arab Emiraes
Contact details: +971 4 554 8575
Operating hours: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Daily)
Price: Approximately AED 135 for two guests
Most people who are on a budget would stay away from restaurants in the downtown and Jumeirah areas.
But there’s one Indonesian restaurant in Jumeirah Lake Towers that will give you a fancy dining experience without the sinking feeling after you get the bill.
The Little Bali has been making waves in Dubai’s restaurant scene because of its bold flavors in a cozy dining setup.
The restaurant is great for lunch and dinner where you can enjoy classic Indonesian dishes like Mee Goreng Aceh and Udang Bakar Jibaran.
Pro tip:
The Little Bali has a sizeable menu. So, if you don’t want to take long to order food for your group, try to check the menu online and do some research on what Indonesian dishes you’d like to try.
Cafe Isan
Website: https://www.cafeisan.co/
Address: Waterfront Cluster B – Lake View Tower – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact details: +971 58 529 1003
Operating hours: 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM (Daily)
Price: Approximately AED 195 for two guests
If you’re craving for authentic Thai street food on your special day, head to Lake Tower View at one of the best spots in town for authentic Thai dishes.
Cafe Isan is a family-run restaurant that’s known for its delicious Thai street food dishes focusing on the cuisine of Northeastern Thailand.
Chef New, the restaurant’s co-founder, understands fresh ingredients and good cooking well since he was once a farmer.
This is why you can expect nothing but the best dishes from this restaurant including the classic Pad Thai, garlic chicken and many other street-style dishes that you’ll surely love.
Plus, being in Jumeirah Lake Towers, you get to enjoy a cozy and casual setting while feasting on your favorite dishes without worrying about the bill after.
Pro tip:
If you don’t know what to get at Cafe Isan, ask the waiter for recommendations or try their combo offerings where you can sample different dishes in one plate.
Cheap Dinner Spots in Dubai
Dinner is serious business in Dubai and there’s an extensive list of restaurants around the city that offer amazing food without the hefty price tag.
Dampa Seafood Grill
Website: https://dampaseafoodgrill.com/best-seafood-menu/
Address: Banyias Road – Port Saeed – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact details: +971 4 299 0884
Operating hours: 12:30 PM to 11:00 PM (Daily)
Price: Approximately AED 145 for two guests
If your idea of a celebration involves gathering around a table filled with fresh seafood and eating with your bare hands, you should head to Dampa Seafood Grill.
This restaurant offers a unique dining experience following the Filipino tradition of “kamayan” or eating with your hands.
Choose from a wide range of fresh seafood like mussels, clams, shrimp and crabs that will be put on your table to feast on.
And if you’re a fan of rice, you’ll be glad to know that your order will come with unlimited rice servings.
Dampa Seafood Grill is perfect for big celebrations where you want to stretch your budget while making sure that everyone leaves full and happy.
Pro tip:
Let the restaurant know ahead of time that you’re planning a celebration and the staff would be gracious enough to make your setup more special for the occasion.
Calicut Paragon
Website: https://paragonrestaurant.in/
Address: Ground Floor – Mattar Al Tayer Building – 20B Street – Al Karama – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact details: +971 4 251 2545
Operating hours: 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Daily)
Price: Approximately AED 120 for two guests
There’s a long list of Indian restaurants in Dubai, but only a few deliver authentic Indian food without hurting your budget.
Calicut Paragon is a top-rated restaurant that specializes in South Indian food from Kerala.
Located in Al Karama, Calicut Paragon takes you on a luxurious culinary adventure without the hefty rates.
Here, you get to enjoy authentic Keralan cuisine like the famous Mutton Biryani, Mango Fish Curry and Malabari Biryani in a relaxing dining setting.
The restaurant is known for using only the freshest ingredients and a variety of Indian spices that give its dishes a unique flavor profile.
Pro tip:
Although Calicut Paragon has multiple locations around Dubai, the one in Al Karama is highly recommended for celebrations. Book a table ahead to make sure that you get good seats.
Al Ustad Special Kabab
Website: https://alustadspecialkabab.has.restaurant/
Address: Metro Station – Al Mussallah Road Nar Al Fahidi – Al Hamriya – Dubai – United Arab Emirates
Contact details: +971 4 397 1933
Operating hours: 5:30 PM to 1:00 AM (Daily)
Price: Approximately AED 90 for two guests
You can’t be in Dubai and not have authentic Persian kabab. And there’s only one place in the city that locals and tourists have been singing praises about: Al Ustad.
It’s hard to miss the restaurant’s huge sign near the Al Fahidi Historic Neighborhood.
Opening its doors, you’ll also be greeted with the most vibrant colors and people enjoying good food and great company.
Al Ustad is especially known for its kababs or chicken skewers that were marinated in yogurt.
But while the restaurant is very simple and unassuming, you can expect a dinner feast here because meals include a complimentary platter of vegetables, mint and yogurt.
You also have chicken soup and hummus. But the star of the table has to be the Joojeh kebabs that make people flock to the restaurant daily.
Pro tip:
If you want to experience Al Usad’s great food during a special occasion, make sure to book a table ahead because the waiting time here can take hours.