Dubai has long been famous for luxury dining, but you do not need a deep pocket to eat well here. The Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025 put a spotlight on the city's best budget-friendly restaurants — affordable eateries that deliver fantastic meals without the eye-watering bill.
Winner: Dampa Seafood Grill
Dampa Seafood Grill reclaimed the crown of Dubai's best budget restaurant after reopening in early 2024 following a fire. Its signature seafood dump — a generous mix of mussels, shrimp, and squid in Cajun sauce — feeds three people for just Dhs 176.
📍 Baniyas Road, Port Saeed | 📞 04 299 0884
Highly Commended
Calicut Paragon is a beloved Keralan restaurant in Karama serving spicy curries, fish tikka, and fresh naan at prices that are hard to beat. 📍 Karama | 📞 04 335 8700
San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles is the go-to spot for authentic Northern Chinese hand-pulled noodles and juicy wontons in JLT. 📍 JLT | 📞 050 759 9584
More Top Budget Restaurants in Dubai
Dubai's affordable dining scene stretches across every neighbourhood and cuisine. Here are seven more budget-friendly spots worth adding to your list:
- Allo Beirut — A 24/7 Lebanese street-food spot on Hessa Street, famous for its shawarma and hummus. - Betawi — Classic Indonesian dishes including mie goreng and nasi padang, located in JLT. - Dhaba Lane — A vibrant Indian eatery in JLT serving biryanis and street-food classics. - Dukkan El Baba — A cosy Lebanese eatery in Barsha Heights known for grilled meats and fatteh. - Hanoi Naturally — A top JLT pick for Vietnamese pho and fresh salads. - Mama'esh — Famous for Palestinian manakish and hummus, with a welcoming community feel in Al Manara. - The Little Bali — Specialises in Balinese cuisine, including satay platters, in JLT.
Cheap Eats Dubai: Something for Everyone
From Filipino-style seafood feasts to South Indian curries and Middle Eastern street food, these budget-friendly restaurants in Dubai cover every craving. Whether you are a long-term resident or a first-time visitor, affordable dining in Dubai is never more than a few minutes away.
Great food in Dubai does not have to cost what you think. Where will you dine next?
