Written By Arabiers Digital & Reviewed by Robeena Brown
21 September 2024 | 12 min
Dubai- a city with various attractions and adventures possesses extensive culinary experience. The city is filled with several resorts, hotels and restaurants that cater to different tastes and specific preferences. Other than luxury and highly expensive eateries, Dubai features a list of affordable restaurants that serve delectable cuisines without compromising quality.
You can also check out the Arabic Restaurants in Dubai for Arabic cuisines and tastes.
Here is the list of Dubai’s top pick-budget restaurant that offers a variety of Emirati, Arabian and distinct International dishes without breaking the bank.
Allo Beirut is a popular restaurant in Dubai that serves authentic Lebanese flavours taking you to the streets of Lebanon. It is also known for its lively Lebanese hospitality and warmest welcoming ambience separating it from other Lebanese restaurants in Dubai. The place is also recommended by top chefs in Dubai and diners praise the wide choices and the freshness of the dishes and the restaurant’s quick serving service.
Cuisine: Lebanese, Street Food
Opening Hours: 24x7
Must Try Dishes: A Classic Shawarma, Grilled Lamb, Falafal Sandwich, Hummus Pita, Baba Ghannoug
Launched in 2016, 3 Fils is an award-winning contemporary restaurant in Dubai that redefines dining in the city. What makes the eatery noteworthy is its cuisine, where each dish on the menu is crafted gently and passionately. The restaurant features harbour-side community-style dining and serves premium Asian dishes made with a Japanese twist.
Cuisine: Asian/Japanese
Location: Shop 02, Jumeirah Fishing, Harbour 1, Al Urouba St, Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 12 pm to 11:30 pm
Must Try Dishes: Otoro sushi, The Ghana dark chocolate, scallop sashimi etc
Next on the list of our best affordable restaurants-Dubai list is the famous Calicut Paragon. Located in the Al Karma region of Dubai, the restaurant has achieved recognition for serving authentic South-Indian and Asian dishes at budget-friendly prices. Be it seafood, flavoursome curries, crab masala or fish curry, every food on the menu of Calicut Paragon reminds you of being in South India. There is a huge hungry crowd often seen in the evening at the restaurant’s location.
Cuisines: Indian/South Indian/Kerala
Location: Al Karama, Dubai
Must-Try Dishes: Appams, Crab Thushar, Tender Coconut Payasam, Mutton Varattiyathu, Mango Prawn Curry, mango fish curry, zafrani (saffron) tea etc.
Popular for its seafood menu and a variety of fish dishes, Bu Qtair is a beachfront restaurant in Dubai famous for its unmatched taste and contemporary menu. A wide variety of fish including Kofer fish, Sheri fish, Hamour fish and grilled seabass fish are served in the restaurant which tastes amazing. It's a must-visit place for seafood lovers that also offers a laid-back atmosphere apart from the delectable seafood cuisines.
Cuisines: Seafood
Location: Old 32B Street, Fishing Harbour 2 - Dubai
Must Try Dishes: Kerala Fish Curry, Masala Fish, Fry Prawns, Jumbo Prawns, Porotta, Grilled Fish
Another restaurant on the list is the famous IBN AlBahar at Dubai Creek Resort. The restaurant is famous for serving delicious and authentic seafood and is also well-known for Lebanese-style cooking and spacious ambience with beach views. Visitors have a wide selection of delectable seafood featuring, shrimp bisque to fish and chips, Soup Seafood Bisque, Shrimp Cocktail and Shish Tawouk Platter. In classic drinks, one can try the Margarita 60, Mojito 60 or Long Island 65.
Cuisine: Seafood, Lebanese
Location: Club Vista Mare, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Must Try Dishes: Grilled Squid, Jumbo Prawns, Sea Food, Lobster, Calamari, Seafood
Little Bali in at Jumeirah Lake Tower, Dubai attracts diners with its quality fresh Indonesian dishes, elaborated menu, sitting and food presentation style. From seafood to noodles or a full veggie menu or meat, Little Bali brings the authentic flavours of Indonesia to Dubai. The restaurant is also known for serving a variety of never-tried dishes to people in Dubai.
Cuisine: Indonesian/Asian.
Location: Shop No. 1 (Lake Side) Cluster - U, Jumeirah Lakes Towers - Dubai - United Arab Emirates.
Must- Try Dishes: Ayam betutu, Grilled prawn in Balinese spices, rice, salad, bean curd + cake, crackers & sambal matah, Tongsensen Kambing, Indonesian mutton curry with lalapan and rice, oxtail soup etc.
Al Mallah is a Lebanese restaurant chain in Dubai famous for its unique style of dishes, and Lebanese fast food. The restaurant offers a variety of budget-friendly recipes that do even not compromise the quality. The establishment of the restaurant dates back 90’s and it has five branches in UAE. Al Mallah serves over 150+ menu items covering a wide range of shawarmas, falafel, pastries, sandwiches, grills, snacks, fresh juices, signature cocktails and mocktails.
Cuisine: Lebanese Arabian, Middle Eastern
Location: Al Hudaiba, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Must-Try Dishes: Zaatar Manakeesh, Cheese Manakeesh, Cheese Bread, Chicken Shawarama, Cheese Garlic, Falafal Sandwich etc.
Mama’esh is a restaurant chain in Dubai with various branches in the city which proudly serves authentic Palestine street food at fair prices. Eco-friendly places, reasonably priced dishes, free wifi, free tea refills, fresh halal meats, wheelchair access, and baby chairs are the additional restaurant features. A variety of dishes including, Hummus With Meat, Palestinian Foul Medammas, Eggplant Mutabal, Feta & Tomato Plate, and Oven Baked Halloumi draw diners from every street of Dubai to visit Mama’esh.
Cuisine: Palestinian.
Location: This can be checked on the official website of the restaurant as it has various branches in Dubai.
Must-Try Dishes: The wraps, Lebanese sujuk, Halloumi, Zaatar, Mix Cheese Fatayer, Foul Mudammas, Oven Baked Um Ali.
Ravi restaurant in Al Satwa, Dubai is heaven for meat lovers. Located in Dubai’s oldest neighbourhood, the Pakistani-style restaurant offers a wide variety of meat dishes including, chicken biryani as well as chicken kadai curry, mutton chops, creamy egg curry, delicious curries with fluffy naan bread, and freshly grilled meats. The restaurant also serves a variety of Mughal and Indo-Chinese cuisines and its menu has breakfast, lunch, and dinner options as-well.
Cuisine: Pakistani/Indian/Mughlai.
Location: Shop number-245, Al Dhiyafa Rd, Opp. Union Co-operative Society, Satwa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Must-Try Dishes: Chicken Biryani, Peshawari Mutton, Peshawari Chicken, Brain Masala, Mutton Handi, Paya, Dal Fry etc.
Masmat Baha is a family-friendly Egyptian restaurant located in the Al Barsha region of Dubai. The place is well-known for serving a selection of mostly Egyptian, and Arabic dishes, grills and sandwiches. It's a go-to budget spot in Dubai that brings the taste of Egypt into Dubai. From homestyle molokhia to Hommus, Alexandrian liver and Turkish coffee, Baha is the place to go for a bite, If you want to have a taste of home-style Egyptian recipes in Dubai.
Cuisine: Egyptian, Street Food.
Location: Al Barsha - Al Barsha 1 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates.
Must Try Dishes: Kofta pita, Hawawshi, Charcoal grilled chicken, Shish taouk, Mix grill, Mulukhiyah, Grilled liver, Kebda Iskandarani, etc.
Raju Omelet has gained popularity in Dubai, where most of the restaurant’s dishes are egg-centric. The place is also famous for its breakfast menu, where mouth-watering, omelette, half fry, egg kejriwal Pudina chai, adrak masala tea or adrak elaichi tea are served and savoured by the visitors. Apart from creative egg dishes, Raju Omlet is also famous for other dishes like, chicken rolls, spicy potato wrap, chicken tikka, Bhuna chicken etc.
Cuisine: Indian
Location: Al, Karama, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Must-Try Dishes: Tikka egg wraps, Italian Omlet, Eggs Kejriwal, Chicken Tikka Egg Roll etc.
Zaroob is a famous restaurant in Dubai that serves authentic Levantine street food and has several branches in the city. The speciality of this restaurant is that it prepares traditional street food with a modern touch. The word Zarrob describes "small alley" in Arabic. The restaurant also offers plant-based shawarma and an extensive vegetarian menu and also has an outdoor terrace ambience too.
Cuisine: Levantine
Location: As it has several branches in Dubai located in various places, it is best to check the official website of the restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes: Shawarma Platter, Fatoush and Stuffed Falafel
Saigon brings Vietnam food culture to the heart of Dubai. It serves flavourful Vietnamese dishes, beverages and salads. With the slogan- “Taste of Vietnam,” the restaurant offers an extensive appetizing menu, Terrace sitting, super decoration, affordable and comfortable atmosphere.
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Location: JLT - Balcony Level, Lake Terrace Tower, JLT Cluster D - Jumeirah Lake Towers - Dubai, UAE.
Must-Try Dishes: Vegan rolls, Steamed Stuffed Poche, Lemongrass Chicken Grill, Fried Wanton etc.
Al-Ustaad is a hidden gem, that attracts food lovers with its fresh and authentic Persian Kababs. The Iranian restaurant is also famous among locals and tourists and an absolute delight for meat lovers. The place is also affordable and the food is prepared without compromising the quality.
Al-Ustaad also claims to serve one of the tastiest kababs in the city offering a range of dishes like marinated chicken and mutton kebabs, Cholo Kabab, Cholo Mahi, and different mixed Kabab platters.
Cuisine: Iranian.
Location: Al Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Must-Try Dishes: Khorak Sultani, lamb or chicken signature kabab, Yoghurt-marinated chicken or mutton kebabs.
Renowned for its quality food and ingredients, Reif Japanese Kushiyaki in Dubai is run by the multi-award-winning Chef Reif Othman. He promises of relationship with their customers and artistic style food instead of considering quantity.
The restaurant offers an unconventional dining experience by serving affordable Japanese cuisine including, the famous silky smooth ramen and delicious kushiyaki.
Cuisine: Japanese, Asian, Sushi.
Location: Dubai Hills Estate, Business Park, UAE.
Must-Try Dishes: Chicken ramen, Rock Shrimp and Raw Salmon.
Meeting Room also holds a position in our list of Dubai’s best-priced dining. It is an award-winning BBQ restaurant that offers mouth-watering BBQ grilled Indian dishes. From marinating BBQ meats to mouthwatering Indin curries and psychedelic lamb chops, the restaurant has an extensive list of Indian and Asian cuisines.
The restaurant has also won the award for Zomato’s Best Newly Opened Restaurant and was recently featured in a video created by Dubai Tourism.
Cuisine: Indian/Asian/BBQ.
Location: Neighbourhood Food Hall, Motor City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Must-Try Dishes: Paneer pepper tikka and lamb boti, plus snacks, curries etc.
Discover the best seafood eatery in Dubai with a visit to Sallet Al Sayed. The restaurant promises a memorable dining experience with succulent and delectable seafood dishes. A variety of fish including sherri, koffer, red snapper, sea bass, salmon, sardines is prepared with an infusion of Arabian flavours. For seafood lovers, the place is heaven. Other than fish, diners also love to savour the restaurant’s grilled shrimps and delicious hummus.
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: Sallet Al Sayad Seafood Restaurant, Al Karama, Dubai
Must-Try Dishes: Grilled Prawns, Hummus, Hamra Red Snapper, Salmon Fillet, Seabass, Lady Fish, Bizra etc.
Aappa Kadai is a prominent and oldest restaurant in Dubai famous for its very affordable, Indian, South-Indian and Chinese dishes. It serves both vegetarian and meat dishes made in Hyderabadi or other Indian states style. From cheese appam to chilli chutney appam or be its mango fish curry, the restaurant has a wide list of Chettinad, Malabar, Tandoori, Chinese, North Indian and Hyderabadi cuisines.
Cuisine: Indian/South Indian.
Location: 78F3+Q7F - 16th St - Deira - Dubai - United Arab Emirates.
Must Try Dishes: Appams, Fish curry, mutton coconut fry, Chicken/Mutton Biryani etc.
Texas Roadhouse is well known for its legendary food and services offering delectable American, Streak and Grill foods. The Steakhouse restaurant chain was founded in 1933 with a principle of fresh, authentic food made by hand. The American restaurant is also famous for its hand-cut steaks, and fall-off-the-bone ribs, which is craved by all meat lovers. Texas Roadhouse in Dubai relaxed ambience and unlimited refills.
Cuisine: American/Grill/BBQ/Steak
Location: The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Must-Try Dishes: Smoked Buffalo wings with fresh celery and blue cheese sauce, Dallas Fillet, One Beef Rib, New York Strip, Roadhouse Burger, Sweet Iced Tea and Tortilla Soup.
The final place on our list of best affordable restaurants in Dubai is the popular and first restaurant in Dubai that introduces Bosnian cuisine. The eatery is famous for its succulent and delighting Kababs and European dishes. It is also a multiple-winner restaurant that has friendly staff, outdoor seating, pleasant ambience apart from its quality food.
Cuisine: Bosnian
Location: It has many venues around Dubai City in places like Jumeirah Road, Al Wasl Road, or Dubai Mall, It is best to check the restaurant's official website.
Must-Try Dishes: Bosnian kebabs Cevapi, Pita sirnica with cheese, Bosnian kebab etc.
There are many ways, one can save money on food in Dubai. Here are the following:
Yes, there are restaurants like 3 Files, Raju Omelet, Bosnian House, Allo Beirut and many more that offer food at budget prices with compromising quality.
Places or Restaurants that offer food at the cheapest rates in Dubai are as follows: