Dubai is famed for its luxurious lifestyle and endless dining options. Whether you’re looking for a luxury restaurant with views of the city, or affordable eateries where you’ll want to try out different cuisines from all around the world, Dubai is here to offer you all. The city is home to many hidden gems, and they’re waiting to be explored. Read below the 10 best affordable restaurants in Dubai. All of these destinations have something unique to offer, and each of them take visitors into a culinary journey. Keep reading the list until the end, and begin your own journey right away!

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Mama'esh Business Bay

1. Mama'esh Business Bay

Mama’esh is a popular choice if you wanna try traditional Palestinian foods in a warm atmosphere. The restaurant’s ambiance is welcoming and they’re offering a dining experience as if you’re in a Middle Eastern home. 

Mama’esh is strategically located in the Business Bay and among its signature offerings, there are different types of “Manaeesh,” which are flatbreads topped with ingredients like za’atar, cheese, or ground meat. They also serve “Fatayer” (savory stuffed pastries), along with a selection of salads, mezze like hummus and mutabbal, and desserts.

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Vietnamese Foodies Downtown

2. Vietnamese Foodies Downtown

As you can tell by its name, this restaurant specializes in Vietnamese cuisine. Vietnamese Foodies Downtown takes traditional dining to the next level and focuses on healthy and vibrant dishes. The menu includes Pho (a Vietnamese noodle soup), Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwiches), fresh spring rolls, and various rice and noodle dishes flavored with herbs, spices, and sauces native to Vietnam. 

There are also vegetarian & vegan options with plant-based dishes. With its casual atmosphere, the restaurant features a contemporary setting. It offers relaxed dining with scenic views of the Downtown area. 

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Al Mallah

3. Al Mallah Dhiyafah

Serving authentic Lebanese cuisine, Al Mallah is especially popular with its shawarma, falafel, grilled meats, and mezze, including tabbouleh, fattoush, and a variety of dips. The restaurant’s atmosphere is casual, and the prices are quite affordable, providing great value for the quality and authenticity of the food. 

Al Mallah has been serving for nearly 40 years, and it started as a juice bar. Now, with traditional dishes on the menu, it’s a restaurant that is worth visiting for Lebanese street food. Don’t forget to try popular fresh juices and traditional sweets while you’re there.

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe - DFC

4. Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe - DFC

Looking for an affordable restaurant in Dubai to taste traditional Emirati dishes? Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe might be the right destination for you. Other than its rice dishes like Biryani and Machboos, the highlights of the menu include “Samak Mashwi” (grilled fish), “Al Harees” (a wheat and meat dish), and “Camel Meat Kebabs”. 

Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe has a traditional setting with vintage decor, reflecting the old charm of the UAE. Located in the Festival City, it takes visitors on a time travel with its atmosphere and food. 

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

5. Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant

Visit Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant to have an authentic dining experience, and indulge in delicious Emirati cuisine. Al Khayma is located in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood, and it offers rich flavors dating back to the earlier days of the Emirati. 

From “Majboos”, a fragrant rice dish cooked with meat or seafood, to “Salona” and the “Camel Burger”, you can explore endless options from the Emirati culture. The restaurant’s decor is also inspired by the culture, making it a must-visit destination, especially for tourists.

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Calicut Paragon Restaurant LLC

6. Calicut Paragon Restaurant LLC

If you’re looking for a popular and affordable restaurant serving South Indian foods, you should pay a visit to Calicut Paragon. Being Dubai’s one of the top destinations for Indian cuisine, it’s popular among Indians and locals and has been serving authentic dishes with flavorful taste since its opening. 

Among the menu highlights, there are “Malabar Fish Curry,” “Beef Ularthiyathu,” and “Kerala Parotta”, as well as vegetarian options, just as tasty. The restaurant is also known for serving fresh and delicious seafood, which is made with traditional recipes and unique techniques.

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Bait Maryam

7. Bait Maryam

Bait Maryam serves home-cooked Levantine cuisine and it welcomes visitors to its homely atmosphere. Named the restaurant after her mother, Chef Salam Dakkak has been recognized as Middle East & North Africa’s (MENA) best female chef of 2023. The restaurant is especially recognized for its warm atmosphere and the visitors are welcomed as family members. 

The menu stands out with recipes that are passed down through generations, and it includes dishes like “Mansaf”, and “Musakhan” and various mezze platters that are perfect for sharing. Bait Maryam features a cozy setting and has an inviting atmosphere, making every meal even more tasty.

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Al Ustad Special Kabab

8.Al Ustad Special Kabab

Often called Special Ostadi, Al Ustad Special Kebab is one of the best affordable restaurants in Dubai. It’s recognized for its delicious Iranian kebabs, including “Chelo Kebab” (kebabs served with saffron rice) and “Koobideh” (minced meat kebabs). 

Appreciated for its hospitality, the restaurant’s setting is unpretentiously traditional, featuring vintage decor and walls covered in photos of patrons from around the world. This unique ambiance, combined with the warm, friendly service, makes diners feel right at home, and the atmosphere is complemented by the aroma of spices and grilling meat, creating a truly authentic dining experience.

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Dapoer Kita Restaurant

9. Dapoer Kita Restaurant

With its authentic dishes and casual ambiance, Dapoer Kita stands out as an affordable restaurant in Dubai, especially for those who would like to indulge in Indonesian cuisine. It is a casual Indonesian restaurant, offering a selection of traditional dishes. 

From “Nasi Goreng” (Indonesian fried rice) to “Satay” (grilled skewered meats with peanut sauce) and “Rendang” (slow-cooked beef curry), the restaurant serves many flavors from the islands of Indonesia, offering a taste of the culture. Each dish is prepared with care to reflect the true essence of Indonesian culinary traditions, making it a perfect dining spot for a cultural gastronomic adventure.

10 Best Affordable Restaurants in Dubai - Dukkan El Baba

10. Dukkan El Baba

Dukkan El Baba takes visitors on a culinary journey with Middle Eastern dishes. It specializes in Lebanese and Syrian food, serving a variety of traditional foods including mezze platters like hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ganoush to signature grilled items such as shish tawook, kofta, and lamb chops. It is also recognized for its delicious sweets, such as baklava and knafeh. 

Dukkan El Baba has a cozy and modern ambiance with a traditional touch. It houses Middle Eastern decor and creates a family-friendly atmosphere with its genuine Lebanese-Syrian hospitality and cuisine.