Best budget restaurants in Dubai 2025: 10 cheap spots to try next

Time Out Dubai

a day ago

While it may be a widely-held assumption, the best restaurants in Dubai don't have to be expensive.
If anything, Dubai's affordable eateries can play host to some of the finest and most rewarding meals you'll have.
Check out the full list of Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025 winners here
There are few things better than an absolutely brilliant meal that is also a total bargain — did you know you can get a lip-smackingly satisfying meal for two for under Dhs250 in Dubai?
Time Out Dubai reviews anonymously and pays for all its meals. For more on the review process click here.
These are the best budget restaurants in Dubai, as recognised by the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025.
The best budget restaurant in Dubai 2025
WINNER
Dampa Seafood Grill
Nothing could dampen (ahem) the passion Dampa has for delivering its legendary Filipino seafood to the masses. After a fire caused the Deira restaurant to close in 2023, it reopened in February 2024 and quickly re-established its vibrant energy.
With a menu crammed with all manner of catch, from whole grilled squid to baked mussels, your best bet is to try it all with the signature seafood dump. At just Dhs176 and enough for three people, watch as the freshest haul is pretty much chucked on the table in front of you, sauce and all (top tip: go for the Cajun).
Tuck in with your hands and devour the lot. The more mess the better.
Time Out Dubai reviewers say: 'Sweet, smoky, fragrant marinade gets into the crevices of every single bite – and likely your hands, elbows and anything else that happens to be exposed. This is no fuss, plenty of mess dining – and it's one of those Dubai meals everyone needs to have had at least once'
Check out our full Dampa Seafood Grill review here
Unlicensed. Baniyas Road, Port Saeed @dampaseafoodgrill (04 299 0884).
Highly commended
Calicut Paragon
Credit: Calicut Paragon
If authentic Keralan cooking, packed full of flavour and spice, is what you're searching for, Calicut Paragon is for you. An excellent Indian restaurant specialising in Southern Indian cuisine, this has been one of the best budget restaurants in Dubai for many years, and one of the top Indian restaurants in town, too.
With dishes that sing with spice, dig into chicken Malabari, fish tikka, moilee, masala mushrooms and more, all served with piping hot naan.
Time Out Dubai reviewers say: 'While there are plenty of meat and vegetarian dishes, it's seafood that reigns supreme at Calicut Paragon. And, for us, the crab tushar takes the crown for the best.'
Check out our full Calicut Paragon review here
Open daily, 7am-midnight. Unlicensed. Karama, @‌calicutparagon (04 335 8700).
San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles
Credit: San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles
Having opened in JLT in 2023, tucked away in an unassuming corner of Cluster F, right next to Asian Street by Thai, San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles popularity has rocketed into it claiming the title of the best budget restaurant in Dubai, hands down.
Service is friendly and there's a concise menu of Northern Chinese classics that you don't want to miss. Serving affordable, authentic Shaanxi cuisine, the main order here is, as the name suggests, those deliciously moreish noodles – which you can watch the chefs pulling in the kitchen.
The chicken wontons are a must-try too. In short, don't miss it – it's a mighty find in a low-key location.
Time Out Dubai reviewers say: 'San Wan is a real neighbourhood place with character and style, and delivers on what a lot of places promise in Dubai, but don't always come through on. Great food, fantastic value. One of the best budget eateries in town.'
Check out our full San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles review here
Open daily, noon-10.30pm. Unlicensed. Cluster F, JLT, @‌sanwan.dxb (050 759 9584).
Shortlisted
Allo Beirut
Credit: Allo Beirut
This budget chain has become so popular that there are now branches across the city, but our favourite is still the OG version along Hessa Street. You can't fail to miss it – sprawling along the side of the busy road with its brightly lit dining room, neon signs and rows of cars parked outside morning, noon and night.
Dig into pocket-friendly shawarma, laden with punchy garlic sauce, enveloped in fresh, floury saj bread, or opt for a mixed grill and pots of hummus for a filling treat that won't hurt your wallet. It's open 24 hours, too.
Time Out Dubai reviewers say: 'Inside, it's industrial-meets-homely, exposed ceilings and open kitchens juxtaposed against trinket-adorned walls. At one end, watch a team of bakers toast fresh saj on a dome and sling manakish into a brick oven. At the other, chefs form falafel rings at speed and shave hot, sliced meats from two towering shawarma skewers.'
Check out our full Allo Beirut review here
Open 24-hours. Unlicensed. Hessa Street, allobeirutstreetfood.com (800 8263 4788).
Betawi
Credit: Betawi
Indonesian chefs are celebrating their heritage and cuisine at long-standing eatery Betawi (it first opened in Karama in 2007), one of the best budget restaurants in Dubai. Traditional dishes are cooked with flair and served at exceptional value, with most main courses coming in around the Dhs60 mark.
Think nasi padang, bebek kremes, seafood laksa, mie goreng, ayam geprek and udang bakar, served with signature sambals. Not afraid of a bit of spice, this is a restaurant that is both true to its roots and committed to offering its customers a very affordable dining experience. Expect to see groups of friends packed onto the terrace, soaking up the views and the vibes.
Time Out Dubai reviewers say: 'Go for the nasi goreng or nasi padang and prepare for mouthfuls of spice and punchy, aromatic flavours. It's authentic and delicious. Portion sizes are generous, the décor is basic and staff are always helpful.'
Check out our full Betawi review here
Unlicensed. Lake Terrace Tower, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, @betawi.jlt (04 454 2329).
Dhaba Lane
Credit: Dhaba Lane
A budget, Indian street food-style eatery in JLT, Dhaba Lane has been delighting savvy diners with its moreish curries since 2017. Serving traditional dishes from Punjab to Delhi, Calcutta and beyond, there are plenty of regional flavours to try here.
It serves traditional plates with a modern twist, all at prices that won't make your eyes water. The interiors are cute and the spices are punchy, check out curries, chaat, biryanis and beyond.
Open daily, noon-3.30pm, 6.30pm-midnight. Unlicensed. Cluster D, JLT, dhaba-lane (054 999 4251).
Dukkan El Baba
Credit: Dukkan El Baba
For homely, comforting Lebanese bites at affordable pricing, Dukkan El Baba is one of the best place for cheap eats in Dubai. A cute, low-key spot that opened in early 2023, Dukkan El Baba has a regular menu plus regular specials and dishes of the day – meaning you can make repeat visits and always try something different.
The menu is a mix of hot, cold and saucy. Some of our favourites are Lebanese vine leaves, stuffed courgette, aubergine fatteh, chicken shish tawook and delicious shawarma. Don't miss it if you want terrific Lebanese food, for less.
Time Out Dubai reviewers say: 'Shish barak swimming in laban tastes just like home and is served with buttery vermicelli rice, while stuffed cabbage is larger than your usual (almost burrito-sized) and will make a big dent in your appetite. By the end of the meal, you'll have filled your belly to the brim without doing much harm to your wallet.'
Check out our full Dukkan El Baba review here
Open daily, 9am-1am. Unlicensed. Barsha Heights, @‌dukka_el_baba (04 344 0140).
Hanoi Naturally
Credit: Hanoi Naturally
This healthy Asian restaurant is a go-to spot for Vietnamese cuisine in Dubai. And the best news is it's also one of the best budget restaurants in Dubai.
Found in JLT, where you'll discover many of the best authentic, pocket-friendly eateries in town, Hanoi Naturally is a popular place for those who want to tuck into healthy dishes, for less.
Enjoy salads, phos and more, all using delicious, fresh ingredients at prices that will make you return time and again.
Time Out Dubai reviewers say: 'Absolutely unmissable is a bowl of pho – whether chicken, beef or vegetable. Slurping up this fragrant, brothy noodle soup is one of the best comfort food experiences in town. Other classics include bun noodle dishes and crunchy salads packed with julienned papaya, carrots and punchy fish sauce.'
Check out our full Hanoi Naturally review here
Open daily, 11.30am-10.30pm. Unlicensed. Cluster C, JLT, hanoinaturally.com (04 431 3099).
Mama'esh
32 banging budget restaurants, as chosen by Dubai's top chefs. Credit: Mama'esh
Mama'esh is one of the best budget restaurants in Dubai and one that we can't get enough of. A Palestinian restaurant that has spread to various locations throughout the city, the food is excellent and authentic wherever you go.
For a cute date night or lunch out with the family, head to the Al Manara branch for charming décor and a delightful little terrace. Dig into freshly baked manakish laden with gooey, molten cheese, or Palestinian hummus and spinach fatayer.
The breakfast platters are ace, and for traditional Palestinian food, there's no better place in Dubai.
Time Out Dubai reviewers say: 'Mama'esh bakes with organic flour only and the quality in its ingredients sing with the larger-than-life mama'esh. With prices averaging between Dhs9 to Dhs18 per manoushe or Dhs15 to Dhs29 for fatayer, you can fill up here even when payday has long been and gone.'
Check out our full Mama'esh review here
Open daily, 7am-1am (Fri, 7am-1.15pm, 1.45pm-1m) Unlicensed. Al Manara, mamesh.com (600 548 287).
The Little Bali
Credit: The Little Bali
Another cracking affordable eatery in JLT – for authentic Balinese cuisine there's nowhere better in Dubai than The Little Bali. With budget plates that are bursting with flavour, the menu is traditional with top choices such as ayam taliwang (grilled chicken with lalapan, rice and sambal taliwang) and ikan goreng (crispy tilapia in a choice of sauces).
You can also find more unusual meats such as oxtail and camel on the menu too. Don't miss the nasi goreng and satay sampler platter for classics done well.
Time Out Dubai reviewers say: 'Big flavours. Bags of authenticity. Plenty to work your way through over a few visits. There really is a whole lot to love about The Little Bali.'
Check out our full The Little Bali review here
Open daily, noon-10pm. Unlicensed. Cluster U, JLT, littlebali.ae (04 554 8575).
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Dinner for two is under Dhs500