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- There Are More Cheap Places To Eat in Dubai!
Summary
- Despite its expensive reputation, it is still possible to travel to Dubai on a budget, especially when it comes to food. There are affordable options available.
- There are a variety of cheap eats in Dubai, including Lebanese street food, traditional Ethiopian cuisine, and authentic Indian and Indo-Chinese dishes.
- Visitors can enjoy affordable international cuisine, such as Thai street food and Mexican dishes, while exploring Dubai without breaking the bank.
Despite being a popular travel destination, Dubai is known as a luxurious city, and there is a lot people can do with $100 in the city. There's a lot to see and many activities to enjoy in this UAE city. Despite the many incredible attractions in Dubai, many former travelers often say that expenses can add up quickly! Despite its expensive reputation, traveling to this international city on a budget is still very much possible.
Like many travel destinations, food and accommodations are the primary sources of travel expenses. However, when it comes to eating out in Dubai, there are still a ton of pretty cheap eats to enjoy in the city, fit for a budget traveler's wallet! Of course, cheap food in Dubai may be harder to find: but we promise it's there.
UPDATE: 2023/09/02 21:15 EST BY LUANA FERREIRA
There Are More Cheap Places To Eat in Dubai!
Dubai is one of the most popular destinations, but it is also famous for its high prices. But is it possible to visit Dubai without breaking the bank? At least when it comes to food, the answer is yes. Travelers and locals can try delicious traditional dishes and international cuisine for an affordable price. This list has been updated to bring more places to eat on a budget.
15 Allo Beirut
Considered one of the best Lebanese restaurants, Allo Beirute Street Food has seven restaurants in the city, the most popular on Hessa Street. Clients say the place serves the best shawarmas in Dubai and burgers, hot wraps, and grilled meat platters for an affordable price.
Allo Beirute also has a breakfast menu that is served all day long. Clients can enjoy traditional dishes like Kishk, Balila, and Fattet Hummus.
- Locations: Hessa Street, Near Saudi German Hospital City Walk Dubai, Al Safa Street, Al Warqa City Mall, Tripole Street.
14 Al Mallah
Al Mallah combines the best of Lebanese street food and tradition, as it started serving dishes nearly 45 years ago. The traditional restaurant started as a juice joint in a corner and now has five restaurants in Dubai that feature over 150 items on their menu, including shawarmas, grills, and Falafel.
They have a breakfast menu with Ful Medammes, two Falafel, and Labneh served with pickles, tahini, and bread that costs AED27 (roughly $7.37).
Address: Al Dhiyafa Rd - Al Hudaiba - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
13 Al Ustad Special Kebab
The Al Ustad Special Kabab restaurant's reputation is a bit of a problem. On the one hand, it's a hidden gem of an establishment. On the other hand, however, people who know about it (near the Al Fahidi Metro Station) rave about its kebabs. Meat lovers will love the generous portion of meaty kebabs that Al Ustad Special Kabab offers, from succulent chicken to beef tenderloin kebabs!
12 Bu Qtair
- Address: Old 32B Street, Fishing Harbour 2, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Bu Qtair is a popular tourist spot that is unassuming and humble, home to some of the most delicious seafood in all of Dubai. CNN even crowned Bu Qtair as the best fish restaurant in the city! Diners love the restaurant's signature (and secret) seasoning used in their seafood plates, especially their fish dishes.
11 Zagol Restaurant
- Address: Al Karama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Traveling as a vegan foodie can be challenging at times. Luckily, vegans who visit Dubai will have no trouble finding good grub, especially at Zagol Restaurant! This cozy establishment serves up traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine, perfect for sharing amongst group travelers. Their meals are usually served with injera bread, a tangy fermented flatbread staple in Ethiopian cuisine.
10 The Choco Monarch
- Address: Sharjah Palace Hotel Al Taawun St, Near Sharjah Expo, Sharjah United Arab Emirates
Since 2017, Dubai's Choco Monarch has served high-quality chocolate desserts to Dubai locals and tourists. From waffles to crepes, these desserts are perfect for sharing! The Choco Monarch aims to become Dubai's best chocolate dessert café, providing customers with an array of chocolate delights for an affordable price.
9 Mama'Esh
- Address: Al Abraj Street Next to Dubai Islamic Bank, Bayswater Tower, Business Bay, Waterfront, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Looking for comfort food for fair prices? The Mama'Esh restaurant in Dubai is perfect for budget-friendly travelers, serving authentic Palestinian cuisine. Not only do visitors receive excellent service, but they'll also get complimentary tea refills, bread (for dine-in only), and free Wi-Fi access! There are also six chains sprawled across the city.
8 Special Ostadi
- Address: Bur Dubai, Metro Station-Al Fahidi Al Musallah Rd.Near Al Mansoor Video, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
According to several reviews, Special Ostadi is a restaurant that former travelers highly recommend. Not only are guests guaranteed excellent customer service, but their food is also affordable, tasty, and flavorful! Visitors rave about the restaurant's mutton kebabs and their eclectic menu, which serves up authentic Persian cuisine. This restaurant is perfect for budget-friendly travelers exploring Old Dubai and is only a short walk from Dubai Creek.
7 Wokyo Noodle Bar
- Address: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster J, J2 Building, Dubai 00971 United Arab Emirates
Looking for a no-fuss eatery with tons of opportunities to customize dishes? Wokyo Noodle Bar offers an array of noodle dishes to the hungry traveler at an affordable price. With several locations across Dubai, customers can have their pick of sampling Wokyo's signature Sapporo ramen or their flavorful laksa soup. Visitors can also create their meals, choosing a carb base of noodles (or rice), specialty sauces, and proteins. Wokyo also offers delicious sides like spring rolls, chicken gyozas, and Korean-style fried chicken!
6 Amritsr Restaurant
- Address: Al Attar Center, Dubai 318-836 United Arab Emirates
Dubbed one of the best Indian restaurants in Dubai, the Amritsr Restaurant serves up authentic Indian and Indo-Chinese cuisine at the Al Attar Center. With over 20 years of culinary experience, travelers will love sampling an array of vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) dishes. From Birbal kofta to Amritsari fish masala, diners can enjoy a hearty meal at a no-fuss eatery. According to reviewers on TripAdvisor, the Amritsr Restaurant is perfect for visitors because of its delicious food, attentive staff, and high quality!
5 Café Isan
- Address: Waterfront, Cluster B (Lake View Tower), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Since 2016, Café Isan has offered a colorful Thai street food favorites menu. The restaurant was all started by a self-taught YouTube chef who used her childhood and hometown of Isan's Beung Kan to build the restaurant. Today, Café Isan has been recognized as one of the best Thai restaurants in Dubai, offering an array of tasty street food and snacks. Budget travelers can enjoy the restaurant's signature Pik Gai chicken wings, green curry rice balls, dim sum (known as Khanom jeep), or items on their Thai BBQ menu!
4 Zaroob
This unique eatery in Dubai offers some of the most delicious Arabic flavors. From piping hot falafel and tasty fatayer to yummy manakish and other Arabic classics, people will find all that their stomachs wish for at this restaurant located on Sheikh Zayed Road. Zaroob has a funky outdoor garden area, and people can enjoy the contemporary art galleries in the nearby Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC).
- Location: Ground Floor, Jumeirah Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Trade Center 1, Dubai.
3 Calicut Paragon
Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This Indian restaurant can be found in several locations around Dubai and attracts a large crowd every evening. Calicut Paragon is known for its budget-friendly prices, rave reviews, and flavorsome curries. Recommended side orders include cheese-stuffed mushrooms and fried pakodas. Moreover, seafood is a must-try at this restaurant in Dubai. These include the tangy mango fish curry, fiery crab masala, and whole pomfret.
- Location: G Floor, Mattar Al Tayer Building, 20 B Street, Al Karama, Dubai.
2 The Grillshack
The Grillshack offers mostly a meaty menu of steaks, ribs, and burgers in a casual but industrial-style setting in The Dubai Mall - the most visited mall in the world. This is a great example of an American restaurant with other influences from around the world. The kitchen is set in an open style. Their specialties and combos include the Grillshack Platter (BBQ braised beef ribs, grilled chicken tenders, prawns skewer, chicken wings, calamari, and more). Another is the Australian T-bone 500g, that's two cuts in one.
1 Taqado Mexican Kitchen (Mall of the Emirates)
The Taqado Mexican Kitchen is set in the Mall of the Emirates and offers a great affordable alternative for those in the mood for some delicious Mexican food. Their main menu includes burritos, burrito boxes, crispy tacos, soft tacos, quesadilla, Mexicali salad, and much luncha salad. They also have multiple locations across the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Mexican food is one of the most highly acclaimed foods in the world, and there are plenty of Mexican dishes everyone should try. See, cheap food in Dubai can be cost-effective!