Believe it or not, you don't need to blow a budget on food in Dubai. You can spend that money on entertainment or even on your own! "After the 20th of the month, I am left with no other choice but to try out the hidden food treasures of Dubai," said an Engro intern working in Dubai.
Despite being a popular travel destination, Dubai is known as a luxurious city. Residents and visitors can do a lot with 100 dollars in their pockets. There's much to see and many activities to enjoy in this UAE city. Despite the many incredible attractions in Dubai, many former travellers often say that expenses can add up quickly! Despite its expensive reputation, travelling to this international city on a budget is still possible.
Like many travel destinations, food and accommodations are the primary sources of travel expenses. However, when it comes to eating out in Dubai, many cheap foods still fit a budget traveller's wallet! Of course, affordable food in Dubai may be more challenging, but I promise it's there.
Considered one of the best Lebanese restaurants, Allo Beirute Street Food has seven restaurants in the city, the most popular on Hessa Street. Tourists and town residents say that the place serves the best shawarmas in Dubai and burgers, hot wraps, and grilled meat platters for an affordable price. Allo Beirute also has a breakfast menu that is served all day long. Visitors can enjoy traditional dishes like Kishk, Balila, and Fattet Hummus. Surprisingly, two people can quickly get themselves stuffed in under 105 Dirhams.
The Bu Qtair is a popular tourist spot that is unassuming and humble, home to some of the most delicious seafood in all of Dubai. CNN even crowned Bu Qtair as the best fish restaurant in the city! Diners love the restaurant's signature (and secret) seasoning in their seafood plates, especially their fish dishes. To my surprise, the most expensive dish on Bu Qtair's goes for 80 Dirhams, which means two people can quickly fill their hungry bellies up for under 70 Dirhams.
Al Tayer founded the retro place in the 1980s to cater to the growing number of South Asian expatriates. From an unpretentious little spot in Jumeirah to a well-lit restaurant with indoor and outdoor sections, Bu Qtair has come a long way. The focus is on food here, so if you enjoy the authentic sea flavours, go and tuck into a no-frills spread.
Dubbed one of the best Indian restaurants in Dubai, the Amritsar Restaurant serves authentic Indian and Indo-Chinese cuisine at the Al Attar Center. With over 20 years of culinary experience, travellers will love sampling various vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) dishes. From Birbal kofta to Amritsari fish masala, diners can enjoy a hearty meal at a no-fuss eatery. According to reviewers on TripAdvisor, the Amritsar Restaurant is perfect for visitors because of its delicious food, attentive staff, and high quality! And this place is for all those spicy Indian food lovers who want nothing but spicy food to excite their taste buds!
From noodles to shawarma, burgers to sushi, Dubai has a plethora of awesomely authentic cuisines to sample, served at pocket-happy prices all over the city.
The launch of the Michelin Dubai Guide follows the inaugural edition of MENA's 50 Best Restaurants earlier in 2022, a regional Middle East and North Africa listing by the World's 50 Best Restaurants Association. Dubai dominated the list. Three of the top five restaurants are in Dubai, including Trèsind Studio in fourth place, Zuma Dubai in second place and – taking the number one slot – 3Fils, a humble harbourside eatery with an Asian-themed menu. Expertly crafted best-selling dishes such as Hokkaido scallops, dragon sushi rolls, and Wagyu Overload burgers cost between 10 and 20 Euros. Dubai's boogey lifestyle might be for the upper class. Still, Dubai is not all about the Wagyu burgers and 24 Karat gold steaks, but the subtle life in Dubai is to die for!