Top 10 Cheap Restaurants in Dubai

This list of cheap /affordable restaurants where to eat in Dubai will help you make the most of the gastronomy in one of the most modern and luxurious cities in the world.
To be honest, as you might know we can’t say that the restaurants in Dubai are particularly cheap, especially those located in hotels and those near the most tourist attractions, although of course there are some that do have affordable prices or you can even opt for the food courts in the shopping centres if you’re on a tighter budget.

Another thing to keep in mind is that many of the restaurants in Dubai do not serve local cuisine, so in this post, we wanted to make a selection of the ones we tried, plus some that were recommended to us, with a variety of cuisines from around the world and that stand out for some of its features such as the views, the price or even the experience of eating in them.

Top 10 Affordable Restaurants in Dubai

Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai

Based on our gastronomic experience living in the city, we leave you with this selection of the 10 restaurants where you can eat very well in Dubai, with an exceptional quality/price ratio.

Tribes Carnivore

Considered one of the best restaurants in Dubai, Tribes Carnivore is located in the Dubai Mall and in addition to having an extensive menu of good food, it has friendly staff, impeccable service and unique views of the Burj Khalifa and the night show if you go for dinner. Plus, prices are affordable.

It tends to be very busy, although the turnover is quick, so it’s worth waiting inside until a table becomes available on the terrace, an essential location if you want to enjoy the views and the nightly show during dinner.

We ordered a couple of burgers plus water for 170 AED, which considering the amount of food, we practically couldn’t finish, and adding the view of the night show, we think it’s a great value.

  • Address: Shikh Mohamed bin Rashid Blvd | Dubai Mall
  • Opening hours: Every day from 11:30am to midnight.

Make a reservation here ✏️

Arabian Tea House Restaurant Café

Located in Al Fahidi, this is another one of the most recommended restaurants in Dubai that you should definitely try.

In addition to being one of the most photographed spots in the city, as it has beautiful architecture, both the quality of the food and the service are perfect, so it’s no surprise that it’s in the top positions of the most recommended restaurants in Dubai.

The menu has plenty of local dishes, including fantastic breakfasts, at very reasonable prices, so this would also be in the selection of cheap restaurants in Dubai.

We ordered various starters such as halloumi, hummus, falafel and samosas, plus coconut water, water and coffees for 185 AED.

  • Address: Al Fahidi Street | Bur Dubai, Bastakiya، Opposite Musalla Post Office
  • Opening hours: daily from 7am to 12am

Make a reservation here ✏️

Eataly

Inside the Dubai Mall, this place offers a supermarket and restaurant service with quality Italian products at very reasonable prices.

They have a couple of restaurants serving great fresh pasta and pizzas, as well as other typical Italian dishes and a gourmet section where you can buy typical products.

There is also an area where you can buy desserts and another area where you can try the typical homemade ice creams, making it one of the most recommended places to eat in Dubai.

We ordered a pasta al fungui, pasta al tartufo plus lemonade and water, coffees and dessert for 265AED.

  • Address: Lower Ground Level | The Dubai Mall
  • Opening hours: every day from 11:30am to midnight.

Make a reservation here ✏️

Eat Greek Kouzina

Also located in the Dubai Mall, this is another of the most recommended restaurants in Dubai, especially if you are a lover of Greek cuisine.

They have a very extensive menu, with many typical dishes and the service, as in most restaurants in Dubai, is very professional and attentive.

We ordered mezze, saganaki and calamari as a starter, plus water and coffee for 189 AED.

  • Address: Mall of the Emirates | Barsha, 1
  • Opening hours: Thursday to Monday from 12 noon to midnight.

Make a reservation here ✏️

Observatory Bar & Grill

Located on the 52nd floor of the Marriot Hotel, we wouldn’t dare to say that this is the best restaurant in Dubai, although we do believe that it is one of the most recommended places to eat in Dubai if you want to live a unique and unforgettable experience.

This is one of the few places in the city from where you can enjoy unique views of the Palm Tree, the artificial island of Dubai, unless you book this helicopter ride in Dubai, this tandem jump in Dubai or this gyroplane flight in Dubai.

Booking is highly recommended as it tends to get busy, especially at weekends and in the evenings. Keep in mind that prices are more expensive at night and at lunchtime they have a menu for 109 AED which includes two courses or 139 AED three courses (dessert), not including drinks, which is very complete.

We opted for this option and can only recommend it.

  • Address: Al Sufouh Road | 52nd Level Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites
  • Opening hours: daily from 9:30am to 10pm

Make a reservation here ✏️

Al Sarab Rooftop Lounge

If your trip doesn’t include a night at the Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort, one of the most spectacular hotels in the world, in the Rub’ al Khali desert, we recommend a visit to Al Sarab Rooftop Lounge, one of the best places in Dubai, where you can enjoy a unique setting, with dimmed lights and traditional music that you won’t forget.

Prices for starters are around 60-70 AED and main courses 100-120 AED.

  • Address: Al Qudra Rd | Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
  • Opening hours: Thursday to Friday from 16h to 02h and Saturday to Wednesday from 16h to 01h.

Make a reservation here ✏️

Ayamna

If you want to visit the Atlantis Hotel, one of the most famous hotels in Dubai, you can’t miss Ayamna, one of the most recommended restaurants in Dubai if you like Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine.

The menu has many options but one of the most recommended is the Lebanese culinary experience, which includes several dishes to share that are several starters, main course and desserts, which allow you to get closer to this exquisite cuisine.

Prices for starters are around 50 AED and mains around 120-150 AED and they have two menus, one for 320 AED and the other for 355 AED.

  • Address: Crescent road : The Palm Atlantis, The Palm
  • Opening hours: Friday to Wednesday from 6pm to 11pm and Thursday from 6pm to 11:30pm.

Make a reservation here ✏️

Operation Falafel The Beach Mall JBR

Next to Marina Beach, one of the must-see places in Dubai, is this place, which is also on the list of the best restaurants in Dubai, considering the quality/price ratio.

Highlights include the halloumi cheese and chicken shawarma and the exceptional Manousheh dessert, which is a kind of pizza with chocolate and banana.

Main course prices range from 20 to 30 AED, making it a cheap restaurant in Dubai to consider.

  • Address: Jumeirah Beach Residence
  • Opening hours: 24 hours open

Make a reservation here ✏️

Feast Restaurant

Located in the Sheraton Grand Hotel, this is another of Dubai’s must-try restaurants.
With a kitchen open to diners, the restaurant stands out for serving dishes that are an explosion of flavours from the Middle East, India, China and also Southeast Asia. It is important to leave room for dessert, as they are spectacular.

Starters are priced at 50-70 AED, pizzas 70 AED, main courses between 120 and 150 AED and desserts around 50 AED.

  • Address: 3 Sheikh Zayed Road | Sheraton Grand Hotel
  • Opening hours: Sunday to Saturday from 6am to 10:30am and from 6pm to 11pm / Friday from 1pm to 4pm / Saturday to Thursday from 12pm to 3pm.

Make a reservation here ✏️

Burj Al Arab

If you want to get to know this 7-star hotel without paying the 1500 euros it costs to stay in one of its rooms, the best option is to book one of its restaurants, considered some of the best restaurants in Dubai.


For this you have several options:

Burj al Arab Brunch: in this experience you can stay on the 27th floor of the hotel and enjoy its famous brunch or free buffet at midday.
If you feel like enjoying this experience you can book this meal at the Burj Al Arab which includes hotel pick-up and 3-course menu at the Al Muntaha restaurant at 200 metres above sea level and with incredible views, at Al Iwan, with Arabic buffet, in the atrium of the hotel or at Junsui with Asian buffet, located on the ground floor.

Afternoon tea: this is another highly recommended experience. You can enjoy the common areas of the hotel and then go to the Sky Bar, located 200 metres above sea level, with unique views, where you can enjoy a unique gastronomic experience for two hours during which you can taste teas from around the world accompanied by Louis Roederer champagne, hot dishes, delicious cakes, sandwiches and sweets made on the spot. You can book your afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab’s Sky Bar here.

Make a reservation here ✏️