There are plenty of reasons to travel to Dubai: The beaches, the skylines, the architecture, the incredible shopping, and most importantly the incredible food. But it shouldn’t be all five star restaurants, celebrity chefs and expensive bistros. Here are some of the best budget bites worth seeking out in Dubai.
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Karak chai: This is what a steaming cup of strong sweet tea with milk is called and is a UAE tradition for locals and expats alike. While some places use milk, many use evaporated milk to make the chai. The styrofoam cup, the copper panelled pot, the wild gush of black tea and finally, the trail of milk for extra creaminess that will give you life - karak is a great pick me-up. Most karak chai scenarios involve you standing outside surrounded by honking Land Cruisers and impatient customers waiting in their car to bring their order out. It does not get any more old-school UAE than that.
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Shawarma: Head to one of the most loved spots for shawarma - Al Mallah. A chicken shawarma at this outlet will cost you Dh9. Al Mallah is a very popular spot among residents. The outlet has three locations around the city.
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Rigag: We suggest you try this traditional wafer-thin crepe at the popular Al Labeeb Grocery (pictured) for Dh5. The crepe is usually topped with cheese, eggs, honey or even mhyawa (a thick fish paste) as the bread cooks. In some outlets, you can ask them to add crisps to add some texture.
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Bun Maska and masala tea: Why not try this combo from Samboosa house. The bun maska here is priced at Dh2.50. Located in Meena Bazar, this little shack serves Indian snacks including a beautifully buttered Bun Masks. Order it with a side of masala tea (Dh2) for a perfect and affordable mid-day snack.
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Chicken dumplings or momos: Dumplings are a popular snack, especially in the evenings for Dubai residents. To try some, order from or head to Chinese Kitchen, for 12 pieces at Dh32. This is one of our newsroom favourites. We love their chicken dumplings and eat them on a regular basis. One dozen is more than enough per person. It’s difficult to eat this dish without sharing.
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Try an Indian thali: Dubai has a very strong indian population and therefore many places where you could try a thali. Thali literally translates to a plate, but a desi thali is basically a combo of dishes that make up an Indian meal. Try the unlimited Desi thali at Claypot priced at Dh27 for vegetarian and Dh37 for non-vegetarian. Claypot, is a wonderful Indian spot at City Max Hotel Bur Dubai. If you want to make this lunch a little more interesting, add Dh20 for a bottle of hops.
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Falafels: To try this popular Middle-Eastern snack, we suggest Hadoota Masreya. You can get 8 pieces for Dh18. You could also try this item at the Al Mallah mentioned earlier. Did you know: There’s a great debate in here in the UAE. Shami falafel vs. Egyptian falafel. The Shamis make their falafel with hummus, while the Egyptians make theirs with foul (the fava bean).
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Masala dosa: A great budget-friendly, delicious and vegan food to try is the humble masala dosa, usually served with coconut-based dips and sambhar. You could try this dish at the popular chains such as Aryas, Sangeetha or Saravana Bhavan. We found a hidden gem in Discovery Gardens called Foodie Delights which serves up the dish for just Dh6.50. A masala dosa at Saravan Bhavan would cost you around Dh12. Don't forget to order a steaming cup of filter coffee for the perfect combo.
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Gahwa and dates: This is a traditional UAE welcome drink, a cup of strong Arabic coffee, usually served with dates. A great place to try this and learn about the beverage in Dubai is the Coffee Museum in Al Fahidi. Entry to the museum is free, but don't forget to grab a gahwa when visiting..
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Egg Masala: Eggs are a great way to start your day off, and we suggest you try the Egg Masala Half Fry Regular at Raju Omelet priced at around Dh10. You can enjoy a classic half fry eggs spiced to perfection with crushed onion, green chili, garlic, ginger and diced tomatoes. Add an extra Bombay pav (bun) and there you have it - a cheap and perfect breakfast.
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Oman Chips at almost any supermarket. You will find the iconic potato crisps priced at Dh1 in most supermarkets and groceries. You'll also find cafes serving wraps and sandwiches with these chips.
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Manaeesh/Manakish: Manaeesh is a regular breakfast for many residents. Our recommendation is the Akkawi Manaeesh at Mama’esh priced at Dh15. Mama Esh is a rustic Palestinian restaurant serving an honest and authentic representation of Palestinian cuisine. Their water is free and so is their Wi-Fi. Akkawi cheese is the most common and famous cheese you can find on manaeesh or fatayer and definitely the one you should start with if you want to taste the real Palestine. They also have a breakfast platter for Dh33, which comes with tea.
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Kunafa with cream/cheese: A quintessential dessert in the region, kunafa is a must-have dessert. Our top pick to get some of this delicious dish, usually filled with Arabic cheese or cream, is either Firas Sweets or Jabal Al Noor. If you have time to sit down and enjoy, order your kunafa for Dh15 and a Turkish coffee (Dh10) from Firas for the perfect combo. Or you could call ahead and order, to pick it up as you drive by Jabal Al Noor.
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Luqaimat: Sweet fried dough balls, this is a traditional Emirati dessert. We suggest the oldest Emirati restaurant, Arabian Tea House. You could try their Old Dubai location or head to their newest Expo 2020 location. A box of these sweet dough balls is priced at Dh28 here. Another place to try this dish is at HumYum in Umm Suqueim or Al Fanar Restaurant and Cafe.
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Bombay Toast: This is the Indian equivalent of French toast and it's unbelievably good and cheap. You can get it at different street side cafés in Satwa and Deira for less than Dh10..
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