Top Affordable Food Options in Dubai: Food Cost In Dubai 2024-25

Dubai can be one of the flashiest cities in the world, yet few tourists know that one does not have to break their wallet to enjoy Dubai's multi-ethnic and multi-flavor meals. For affordable street stalls up to restaurants with food expenses in Dubai, Dubai has enough food counters where delicious meals can be enjoyed without thinking too much on its pricing, vegetarian or meat lover, there will be something for every budget and knowing the food cost in Dubai will reduce your stress of planning your trip to this city of bliss knowing how much is food in Dubai going to charge you.

How Much Does Food Cost in Dubai?

Dining out in Dubai can be very affordable or very expensive, depending on one's preference,

here is a rough breakdown that should give you an idea of how to estimate the food budget:

• Breakfast : You can have a quick type of breakfast from AED 10-29, around $3-8, especially for cafes or local bakeries.

• Lunch : A good lunch in casual restaurants or mid-range eateries serving a normal meal will cost an average of AED 40-80 ($11-22).

• Dinner : If you're going for a more substantial meal in a casual restaurant, you'll spend around AED 67-120 ($18-33), but of course, it goes much higher when you're fine dining.

If you are trying to save money on the trip, make sure that you have a clear idea of the Dubai food cost and avoid restaurants in tourist areas. Places that are off the beaten track are always cheaper and as good.

Here Are The Prices For Some Items That Are Available In Dubai

Check out the average food cost in Dubai for your information:

Dubai Food Cost In Indian Rupees

Affordable Dining for Vegetarians in Dubai

People who are vegetarians will find eating in Dubai quite easy, as it offers a number of restaurants serving tasty and, more importantly, reasonably-priced dishes. Following are a few favorites:

• Man'oushe Street : Enjoy their delicious wraps filled with everything from falafel to hummus at very affordable prices. Expect to spend about AED 20-30 ($5-8) to get full.

• Govinda's : Whole foods Indian vegetarian cuisine, Govinda's is budget-friendly and can offer an intimate atmosphere with meals at approximately AED 30-50 ($8-14)​.

For cheap food price in Dubai and varied flavors, one could also visit the local markets, where tasty falafels, shawarmas, among others, can be gotten for less than AED 10 ($3).

Read More: UAE Public Holidays 2025

Top 10 Budget-Friendly Dining for Non-Vegetarians in Dubai

A meat lover, here's a rather affordable budget in Dubai which will not affect your wallet or be heavy at it:

1. Ravi Restaurant Al Satwa : This place is famous for Pakistani food, and rightfully so. A meal for two will cost about AED 85 ($23).

2. Bu Qtair : Housing this casual seafood joint in bu Qtair, serving the freshest of fish and prawns at reasonable prices. A meal for two will cost you about AED 120 ($33).

3. Al Mallah : for lovers of shawarma, brimming with meat in tasty bread and flavored juices and all at very cheap prices,  lunch can well be had for a total of AED 20-30 ($5-8).

4. Zaroob (Sheikh Zayed Road) : Casual dining is meant to be done here with scrumptious Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food. During meals here, an average meal would cost about AED 40-60 ($11-16).

5. Al Ustad Special Kebab Al Mankhool : Meals in Al Ustad are served with succulent kebabs and grilled meats and will cost you about AED 50-80 ($14-$22).

6. Karachi Darbar (Deira) : This Pakistani restaurant serves good servings of biryani, kebabs, and a lot more. A heavy meal would work its way to around AED 40-60 ($11-16).

7. Bait Al Mandi (Satwa) : Known for its affordable yet satisfying Mandi rice dishes filled to the brim with flavor. Price to expect per meal: 50-70 AED ($14-19).

8. Shawarma Time (Al Barsha) : For tasty yet affordable shawarma, Shawarma Time remains one of the crowd's favorites. A meal from here will cost about AED 20-30 ($5-8).

9. Juma Al Majid (Deira) : This would be a restaurant serving traditional Arabic kebabs, hummus, and pita bread. A meal will cost one 40-60 AED $11-16.

10. Al Faris (Al Qusais) : Al Faris is a good budget option with plenty of platters available, geared towards meat lovers. The meals are fairly reasonably priced, coming in at around AED 30-50 ($8-14).

Also Read: Dubai Hills Mall : Complete Guide

These places have that ethnic taste and quantity but without the high prices.

Meal Costs for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

If you're watching your budget for Dubai food prices, here's what to expect when dining throughout the day:

• Breakfast : One can find an adequate breakfast in street food stalls, as a meal per se can cost as low as AED 20 ($5). For mid-range cafes, on average, every meal is around AED 30-60 ($8-16) per meal.

• Lunch : During lunch time, budget restaurants would charge about AED 40-80 ($11-22). Local eateries such as Al Damyati offer full swelling meals at their cost.

• Dinner : Eating out at a moderate restaurant, dinner can cost from 60-120 AED ($16-32).

Eating at a higher-end restaurant will be loads more, but if you are on a tighter budget, small local restaurants will serve up delicious meals at much less.

Street Food Stalls Under AED 10

Street food is just excellent for tasting real Dubai, but not very expensive. Here are some popular stalls where you can have a bite for less than AED 10 ($3):

• Al Rajwah Deira : The most inexpensive spot for delicious falafel and shawarma that can fill your stomach for less than just AED 10.

• Abdullah Omar Cafeteria : Popular for fast, cheap eats of samosas, parathas and falafel​ yet again under the price range of AED 10.

These stalls promise a taste of Dubai in its true form, and one can have a whole meal without actually overspending.

Money-Saving Tips for Dining in Dubai

• Eat Like a Local : Try to avoid the restaurants in very touristy areas as the prices are sure to be inflated. Instead, travel to the local neighborhoods for a meal that's real and reasonable.

• Lunch Deals : Most restaurants have some type of deal for lunch that is significantly cheaper than dinner, often for the same meal.

• Skip the Alcohol : Because it's so heavily taxed, it's pretty expensive in Dubai, sticking to virgin drinks will save you a load.

Importance Of Dubai Visa To Try And Enjoy Daily Food In Dubai

As we all know if we are traveling to Dubai from a foreign country, we will need a visa in hand that has been pre-approved. Without a visa, your entry into the nation will be restricted and you will be unable to experience Dubai and its food so check below on how you can obtain a Dubai Visa from the comfort of your home and without the need to visit the embassy.

How To Apply Dubai Visa And Enjoy Dubai’s Food

Check below for the steps that you need to follow to enjoy a hassle free application experience.

• Visit EmiratesVisa.co.uk.

• FIll in your nationality and your present country of residence.

• Select the visa that best applies to your visa and travel needs.

• Fill up the application form for Dubai Visa with details requested.

• Upload the documents (Passport copy and a passport size photograph).

• Pay a minimal visa application fee and complete your visa application.

Isn't that simple? Of Course it is, so what are you waiting for, go and give the application a try and we promise a streamlined application.

Conclusion

The food scene is great in Dubai-from street food stalls serving shawarma and falafel to affordable eats dishing up delicious Pakistani, Indian and seafood meals. All that is required to eat well in Dubai without blowing the budget is a little local knowledge and the right mindset.