Dubai is known for many things. It is known for offering a luxurious lifestyle for those with the means to afford it, for having the tallest building in the world, and even having more migrant workers than actual citizens, and so on. It is, however, not necessarily known as a budget-friendly destination, especially for us foodies. After all, you have all seen Instagram posts full of steaks covered in gold flakes, and Turkish coffees topped with real gold dust. You probably watched YouTube videos where the vloggers pay anywhere from fifty to five hundred USD to enjoy an extravagant meal atop a skyscraper somewhere in the city. While all of this is true, there is a different side of Dubai that goes somewhat unnoticed. Given how the city is home to an enormous immigrant workforce, most of which cannot really be described as rich, there are plenty of options for the working people of Dubai who also wish to eat well on a budget. While some seem to prefer the cheap American fast-food franchises, of which there are many, and which I will cover in another dedicated article later on, some prefer more authentic spots. You can find some of the best eateries in Dubai that certainly did not put too much strain on my bank account below but do know that this is only scratching the surface for a city of Dubai’s size. This is to say, rather than seeing the list below as a checklist you have to complete, see it as evidence for the abundance of tasty food at affordable prices all around the city, if you know where to look for them that is.
Al Ijaza Cafeteria – https://www.instagram.com/alijazacafe/
Let us begin with one of my favourite establishments in all of the UAE, a local Dubai brand called Al Ijaza Cafeteria. Such cafeterias serving up simple looking yet delicious fast food is ubiquitous across the entire country. However, some of these managed to become classics over time, like this one. The seafood sandwich I ate here was not only tasty, but at only around 4 USD, and coming with some delicious pickles on the side as usual, this was one of the cheapest meals I had anywhere in the world for a while now. Frankly, I also ordered a fresh juice to go alongside my sandwich, which came to a bit less than 5 USD on its own, but it did taste divine to say the least. People here are friendly, and the food is tasty, so while some of its branches may be outside of the neighbourhoods you will be frequenting during your stay in Dubai, it is well worth your time to pay Al Ijaza Cafeteria a visit if you can find the time for it.
Aroos Damascus Restaurant – https://www.instagram.com/aroos.damascus/
Yet another local franchise, this one specializing on Syrian food, surprised me with their pricing policy. Aroos Damascus Restaurant is not a cafeteria, it is a massive restaurant as its name clearly suggests. The service here is friendly and fast, and the food is good. After seeing the cafeteria like low prices on the menu, I assumed that the portion sizes would be small given how I was sitting at a proper restaurant. Well, I was quite wrong. I managed to finish what I ordered, but frankly even a 6 AED mankosha here can sate some appetites with ease, especially if they still bring a side of pickles for free even if you order just a side dish like mankosha. On a side note, I really loved their milk with tea. While it was not karak chai, it certainly was not any ordinary tea as well. In short, a visit to Aroos Damascus Restaurant is bound to make most people’s stomachs sing with joy.
Koshari Abu Tarek – https://maps.app.goo.gl/5Fn2VdLrFjxSwgwv8
After enjoying the Egyptian koshary for the first time in Abu Dhabi, I knew that I had to try it again as soon as possible elsewhere. I managed to do so in Koshari Abu Tarek where I got to try yet another Egyptian delicacy for the first time, the excellent om ali. This basic dessert, consisting of some flaky bread doused in sweet milk and topped with a few nuts and raisins tasted far above my wildest expectations. I should say that I have a soft spot for milky desserts, and thus this review may be a bit biased. However, I would try this delicacy again later on in Ras Al Khaimah and enjoyed it thoroughly once more. In fact, I will try my best to cook one myself at home, given how simple of a dessert it seems to be. This is certainly a decent spot to be aware of if you are in the area.
Curry Maria – https://maps.app.goo.gl/gMB4awYsqgkhyzXy5
During my time in the UAE, it seemed like the number of Pakistani and Indian eateries far outnumbered the Arab ones, which was especially the case in Dubai, so I ended up trying a few of these there as well. One of the most recommended spots for me was Curry Maria, a spotlessly clean Indian restaurant operating out of a hotel. While the staff here deserves all the praise in the world, the food was quite alright as well. You can get filling lunch deals for around 5 USD in this establishment, which is possibly one of the best value deals in Dubai given how varied and healthy the food here is compared to most fast food spots that often charge you more. In short, if you wish to enjoy some decent food, served by some of the friendliest people, and does not cost you an arm and a leg, you should give Curry Maria a go.
Veg World Restaurant – https://maps.app.goo.gl/JJ2YiC8YAF8wnsXy5
If you are feeling a bit more adventurous and want to enjoy some proper Indian food in a more laid-back setting in the middle of Bur Dubai’s most chaotic neighbourhood, then a visit to Veg World Restaurant becomes a necessity. I will never quite forget the taste of the gini dosa I had here. While I had hoped that this dish was somewhat spicier, it was nevertheless truly a burst of flavours with its oozing cheese, fresh vegetables, and the flaky dosa which wrapped them all together to create a memorable experience. Moreover, while I am no pani puri expert, the one I enjoyed here certainly satisfied my craving for this simple but addictive Indian snack, and the kulfi that they make themselves certainly tasted quite right to me as well. This is yet another budget-friendly, welcoming, and on top of all of that, extremely tasty spot that one needs to visit in Dubai.
Rollo Bollo Restaurant – https://maps.app.goo.gl/yjapdnWAEjBan7a2A
The number of Indian eateries in Dubai means that every now and then, someone tries something a bit different to differentiate themselves from the crowds. Rollo Bollo Restaurant is the result of such an attempt by a few young Indian entrepreneurs. These young bosses serve some high quality but low-cost meals to their patrons. The chili paneer roll I enjoyed here not only tasted good but also came with enough paneer to fill up an entirely empty stomach. While it may not look like much in this photo, this was one of the most fulfilling meals I had in Dubai. Their green chutney surely paired well with the fries, though the latter could use some improvement, perhaps by sprinkling some masala on them after they are fried. Other than that pet peeve of mine, this is frankly an exciting initiative that deserves much praise, and very little critique.
Farisian Star Cafeteria – https://maps.app.goo.gl/q3GrcepXgJLDsTWD7
If one wants to write about just how budget friendly it can be to eat outside in Dubai, it would not be just not to mention the Farisian Star Cafeteria, which manages to sell small falafel and vegetable pakora sandwiches for only 3.50 AED. Yes, you read that right. For slightly more than a USD, you can eat an admittedly tasty wrap full of healthy vegetables. While some seem to joke about the conditions in which these wraps are sold, nothing happened to my stomach after enjoying a falafel wrap here, so, in all likelihood, everything is in order as it should be. Ultimately, this super cheap sandwich may be useful to keep in mind for those late-night cravings you may have as you wander around the streets of Bur Dubai.
Al Baik – https://www.instagram.com/albaikinuae
While it is an already famous fast food brand, Al Baik is an institution that cannot be ignored if one wants to finalize a list of spots to eat well on a budget in Dubai. This is where you can get some of the best fried shrimps and fish in the whole fast food industry, alongside with their signature garlic and cocktail sauces. It is difficult to describe just how tasty the food in Al Baik can be. It all comes down to frying the food perfectly and using an actual syringe to equally distribute their tasty spicy sauce under the crispy crust of your chosen type of meat. While they are mostly known for their chicken, I can guarantee you that most people are sleeping on the quality of the fried shrimp and fish nuggets of Al Baik. Heck, even their extremely affordable spicy falafels are something out of this world, being much better than most falafel you can find in dedicated spots elsewhere. Al Baik is a must visit in the UAE, or anywhere else you visit that happens to have a branch of this Saudi franchise. This is fast food at its finest.
