image of a spread of food dishes

Cheap Places To Eat In Dubai

One city on every adventurer’s to-do places to visit in Dubai. Located in the UAE, Dubai has grown from being a secluded Arabian desert to one of the best tourist destinations in the world. And it’s so easy to see why. But one of the main concerns of any tourist is where to find Cheap Places To Eat In Dubai?

Since the oil exploration boom in the late ’60s, Dubai, and the UAE in general, has experienced massive transformation in infrastructure, culture, and tourism. Nowadays, Dubai boasts of several glamorous delights and attractions that everyone would love to see. 

A lot has been said about Dubai. If you haven’t visited before, you’d hear that it is not pocket-friendly to visit. This is a false narrative I have been addressing with my blogs and YouTube videos

Dubai isn’t as expensive as you might’ve imagined. Are there expensive locations in Dubai? Absolutely. But that isn’t all there is to the wonderful city of Dubai. There are several places where you can visit, experience the best fun, and make wonderful memories for free. 

There are even places where you can get the best cheap eats in Dubai. Several of which I will be discussing on this blog. If you’re on a tight budget and planning to come to Dubai, you can 

So, grab your jotter and write these places down. 

Raju Omlet , Al Quoz

If you’re looking for where to eat great dishes under a budget, this is the best place to start. Raju Omlet is a chain of restaurants located in India and the UAE. When you visit Dubai, you’d find the closest branch near the Noor Bank Metro Station. With your Google Map, you will find quickly navigate there. 

What I found particularly interesting was the atmosphere. You immediately get sucked into this welcome and serene environment, from the moment you walk into the restaurant. There’s this vintage feel to the restaurant, with rustic interior design from the walls down to the upholstery. This ambiance was deliberate. It is meant to evoke a nostalgic feeling that will make you plan a visit there again. 

It has enough space to accommodate 35 persons at a time. Still, you’d relish your intimate moment while you’re there. Some of the delicacies include egg dishes, snacks, chicken tikka egg roll, brown paratha, mutton keema, paneer bhurji, masala half fry, Bombay pav, and lots more. 

All these meals are well below $10 each. 

There’s a lot of unique experiments done by the chef. So, if you’re a lover of eggs, this restaurant is a must-visit. 

Canara Restaurant, Al Karama

If you’re looking for where and how to eat cheap in Dubai, Canara Restaurant is another place you should check out. Located in Al Karama, this classic restaurant is a classic place where all manner of seafood is served. It’s one of the oldest seafood restaurants in Dubai. 

One of the beauties of this place is that there’s a distinct way of serving seafood. Due to its proximity to the coast, this restaurant displays ingenuity in infusing the seafood into local dishes. 

You can opt to get the classic fish thali and a bowl of rice to match. Or you can go for the Tawa or Rawa fried fish slathered in specially toasted semolina. The restaurant recommends chicken orval, fish pulimunchi, prawns mango curry, squid ghee roast, chicken kundapura, marwai pundi, prawns pepper fry, crab curry, chicken pulimunchi, kori rotti. I never had the liberty of having any of them, but I’m sure they taste delicious. 

Bottom line: you’re bound to have a swell time there. 

You don’t have to worry if you’re going to go above your budget. All the meals served there were well below $20. If you’ve got no budget constraints, you can go over the top. The restaurant is small in size but don’t let that bother you. The service is excellent and the delivery is always on time. 

I had the opportunity of having fish curry and steam rice, and the experience was tantalizing. The environment is also serene, so you have a great time while munching on your food. They don’t trade the cheapness of the food for quality.

Canara Restaurant is one place you should check out to get the best cheap eats.

Yalla Momos, Al Karama

Another place to cheap meals is the Yalla Momos restaurant located along the same street as Raju Omlet. It’s a unique Chinese restaurant, serving the best of Chinese cuisines. 

The management of this unique makes it a point to impress you from the moment you walk in. The interior décor seems simplistic yet has a sophisticated feel to it. The lighting is perfect and only matched by the seating arrangement. There’s this style it beholds that the other restaurants do not possess. I instantly felt welcome there. 

The restaurant offers a wide assortment of momos including kothey chicken, afghan, butter chicken, shrimp, lamb, wheat veg, nutri, mushroom, spinach and cottage cheese, and so much more. Some of the beverages include fresh juice, kodak tea, oreo shake, hot and cold coffee, masala sprite, and much more. 

I had the pleasure of ordering the chicken momos and noodles, and it was absolutely delicious! If you’re on a strict budget, you should totally check out this location. 

Zam Zam Mandi, Deira

Another place to check out if you’re looking to enjoy the best cheap eats in Dubai is the Zam Zam Mandi. This restaurant is located in Al Karama, Sharjah, Ras Al Khor, Downtown Dubai, and Deira City Centre. 

This restaurant is famous for its mandi dishes that are not only delicious but cheap. Here, you can have Luqaimat, karak, kunafa, chicken mandi, and so much more. The atmosphere is uplifting with mild music playing in the background. 

The interior décor is impressive and the color combination is only rivaled by the top-notch service. You’re bound to have a lovely time here.  

Ravi Restaurant, Satwa

Ravi Restaurant is yet another place you should visit if you’re looking for some Cheap Places To Eat In Dubai. Located in Al Dhiyafa Road, Al Satwa, this restaurant features a unique sitting arrangement, beautiful décor, and colors, with a great service to match. 

Built in 1978, the restaurant maintained its vintage appeal while serving the some of the best curries in Dubai. You can head over here for a satisfying lunch and dinner experience. 

Some of the dishes served there include Butter chicken (regarded as the best in the whole UAE), raita, mutton biryani, roti, salad, karak tea, chicken kebab, and lots more. What’s more? Outside seating is also available. 

This restaurant typically opens from every day from 5am to 3am except on Fridays when the restaurant is briefly closed around 11am for prayers. Albeit, it opens again from 12:30pm till 3am. 

Chateraise, Dubai

If you’re a lover of cakes and pies, Chateraise is a recommended place to visit. This eatery is located on the ground floor of the Mirdif 35 community mall, Mirdif area in Dubai. Established in Japan in 1955, Chateraise has boasted 450 branches in Japan, Europe, and the Middle East. 

The atmosphere is unique and classy from the moment you walk in. The service is excellent and you’d be honor-bound to visit again when chanced. 

Chateraise offers a wide variety of cakes, baked foods, and confectionaries at a very reasonable price. Some of the recommended treats include souffle cheesecakes, Japanese apple custard pie, cream puff, cheese tart, crepe layers cake, and lots more. 

They also serve excellent drinks and cocktails, too. Plan a visit to this place for the best cheap eats. 

HumYum, Umm Suqeim 

Located along the Jumeirah Beach Road, the amazing HumYum Umm Suqeim eatery is a recommended place to check out. The interior décor has a great appeal and will entice you to remain there. The joint features a seating arrangement for small and large groups. 

But what is bound to fascinate you is the two vintage Land Rovers propped as a semi-kitchen and a coffee bar. Whether you want breakfast, lunch, or dinner, HumYum delivers with a wonderful selection of reasonably-priced meals, offering the best cheap eats. 

Some of these meals include the famous karak with several variations such as saffron karak, ginger karak, and karak with cornflakes. However, you can opt for the chips oman, cheese regag, or the dynamite shrimp paratha roll.

With good music combined with delicious meals with great prices, HumYum is the place to be. 

Project Chaiwala, Al Quoz 

A place to chill and have a relaxing experience, Project Chaiwala is another lovely place to get the best cheap eats. Located inside Al Serkal Avenue, in Al Quoz, Project Chaiwala welcomes all to its eatery with a nostalgic retro décor, matched by the lovely and enthusiastic staff that work there. It also has couple of branches in Ibn Batuta Mall and Dubai Media City as well.

You’d be fascinated by the old movie posters and vintage paraphernalia hung enticingly on the wall. Project Chaiwala isn’t just an eatery that offers reasonably-priced meals; it’s an experience.  

Visitors are always welcome to make use of the cinema spaces provided before the movie screening commences. Some of its unique food offerings include masala, karak, zaffrani, suleimani, PCW signature, homemade iced tea, turmeric latte, nimbu pani, matcha latte, chili cheese toast, vada pav, and much more. 

If you’re looking for cheap places to eat in Dubai, you should check this joint out.

Dubai may seem expensive to visit in the eyes the average person planning a trip. However, if you’re on a budget, you can enjoy yourself and have great meals with relieving chunks of cash out of your wallet.