Budget restaurants in Dubai

You can eat well in Dubai for much less than hotel prices, especially in the older districts. These restaurants publish menus where most dishes cost under AED 50, and several stay open well past midnight.

Filters
Good to have

10 restaurants, sorted by recommended

How we rank
  • A traditional Middle Eastern breakfast spread with a cup of tea, fried egg, tomatoes, walnuts, cheese, jam and flatbread

    Arabian Tea House, Al Fahidi

    • Arabic, Emirati
    • Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

    about AED 68 per person

  • A toasted shawarma wrap cut in half to show the meat filling, on a wooden board with lettuce and chips

    Al Mallah

    • Arabic, Lebanese

    about AED 43 per person

  • Saffron-marinated grilled chicken kebab with a charred tomato and vegetables, in the Persian style

    Al Ustad Special Kabab

    • Arabic
    • Bur Dubai

    about AED 31 per person

  • A falafel and shawarma wrap in blue paper with seasoned fries and pickles on a white plate

    Zaroob, Sheikh Zayed Road

    • Arabic, Lebanese

    about AED 44 per person

  • Seekh kebabs and grilled chicken on sizzling cast-iron platters with lemon and tomato

    Tunday Kababi, JLT

    • Indian
    • Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)

    about AED 33 per person

  • A whole fried fish with herbs on a white platter with lemon slices, tomato and onion rings

    Golden Fork, Al Barsha

    • Arabic, Indian, Seafood, Asian
    • Al Barsha

    about AED 37 per person

  • A steel plate of puris topped with potato, chutney and fine yellow sev

    Chaat Bazaar, Karama

    • Indian
    • Al Karama

    about AED 19 per person

  • Levantine mezze in a divided dish: hummus, tabbouleh, fried pastries and spiced potatoes, with flatbread on the side

    Bait Maryam, JLT

    • Arabic
    • Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)

    about AED 62 per person

Price per person is our estimate for a meal without drinks. Price levels: $ under AED 100, $$ AED 100 to 250, $$$ AED 250 to 450, $$$$ over AED 450.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a cheap meal cost in Dubai?

On the menus listed, a shawarma costs AED 10 to AED 13, a falafel sandwich AED 9 to AED 11 and a biryani at Tunday Kababi AED 30. Prices checked 29 September 2026.

Where can I eat late at night on a budget?

Zaroob on Sheikh Zayed Road is open 24 hours. Kabab Erbil in Deira closes at 03:00, Chaat Bazaar in Karama at 02:00 and Al Ustad in Bur Dubai at 01:00.

Where can I try Emirati food cheaply?

Arabian Tea House in Al Fahidi serves Emirati dishes such as machboos from AED 62, with harees at AED 37 and luqaimat at AED 30.

All restaurant types