Is Food Expensive in Dubai? Honest Prices & Street-Smart Tips

Thinking about eating out in Dubai and worried about money? You might have heard stories about crazy expensive restaurants, or maybe someone told you it's cheap if you know where to look. The truth is, food prices in Dubai swing wildly depending on where you go and what type of experience you want. You could nibble on street shawarma for a few dirhams or splash out on dinner that rivals your rent—sometimes, in the same neighborhood.

So why does the cost vary so much? Dubai’s packed with international restaurants, luxury brunches, food courts, and low-key canteens. It’s not just a playground for the rich—plenty of folks live on a working person’s budget and eat well. Let’s cut through the hype and help you figure out how much you’ll likely spend, whether you’re grabbing groceries or heading out with a client.

• Dubai’s Food Scene: A Wide Price Range
• Grocery Shopping vs. Eating Out
• Budget-Friendly Meals: Where Locals Actually Eat
• Upscale Dining: What to Expect and Pay
• Typical Food Prices: Real Examples
• Food Tips for Smart Spending in Dubai

Dubai’s Food Scene: A Wide Price Range

Dubai is famous for two things when it comes to food: ultra-glam restaurants with jaw-dropping prices and friendly corner spots where you can eat well for not much. You’ll find just about everything here—local shawarma stands, Indian cafeterias packed with workers, dessert shops serving sweet kunafa, and of course, a parade of high-end restaurants sitting on the Dubai Marina with a view.

If you’re looking for numbers, check this out: a basic meal at a regular local eatery (think shawarma or biryani) can cost as little as AED 15–25. But if you step into a luxury hotel or trendy hotspot, you could easily spend AED 250–500 per person for dinner. Dubai attracts chefs with Michelin stars and influencers who love “experience” places, so there’s no real upper limit on how much you can spend.

This is what makes Dubai unique. Everyone from backpackers to millionaires eats out here, just in totally different places. In some neighborhoods, you’ll find tiny Filipino or Pakistani diners tucked between supercars parked outside. Same city, massively different food bills.

There’s also a huge variety everywhere you look. Want Lebanese mezze, dim sum, steak, vegan wraps, or Turkish kebabs? All right down the street from each other. So, if you’re smart about where you go, food prices in Dubai can be totally manageable—it's all about the choices you make.

Grocery Shopping vs. Eating Out

You’re in Dubai, wondering if it’s smarter to do your own shopping or just eat out. Here’s the good news: you actually have genuine choices, whatever your wallet looks like.

Let’s talk about groceries first. If you stick to local or regional stores—like Carrefour, Lulu, or Union Coop—you’ll probably find prices close to those in Europe or even cheaper, especially for basics like rice, bread, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Imported stuff, like European cheeses, American cereals, or trendy health foods? They cost way more. So if fancy brands matter to you, watch out for sticker shock.

If you eat out, the range is even wider. Grab a quick bite at cafeterias—shawarma, falafel, or biryani for 10-20 AED and it fills you up. Anything mid-range, like a mall food court or neighborhood café, push that up to about 35-60 AED per person. Fancy dinners? That’s where things get wild, with mains alone hitting 120+ AED, and not including drinks or tips.

So what’s the bottom line? If you prep most meals yourself, you can easily eat for under 400 AED a week. Eating every meal out—even at affordable spots—ramps up costs fast. A mix works for most: shop for basics, cook at home, and save restaurants for when you want company or a treat. Honestly, eating out all the time is what pushes up your food prices in Dubai.

Budget-Friendly Meals: Where Locals Actually Eat

If you want to eat well in Dubai without breaking the bank, the trick is to eat where everyday people go. Touristy hotspots and super-fancy restaurants can wipe you out fast, but the city’s packed with budget-friendly gems.

Most locals and long-time expats skip the glitzy hotel brunches and hit places like Al Mallah, Ravi Restaurant, or Automatic, known for their tasty Middle Eastern plates and cheap prices. Pakistani, Indian, and Filipino eateries are lifesavers for a quick, filling meal on a budget. A classic chicken biryani at a family-run Indian restaurant can cost as little as AED 10–15 ($2.70–$4), and a fresh shawarma sandwich rarely costs more than AED 9 ($2.50).

Food courts in malls are solid picks too—think about Karama Centre or Al Ghurair Centre for a ton of options under AED 25. Bakeries in Deira and Satwa serve up manakeesh or samosas for pocket change, making them perfect for a fast bite between appointments. And don’t ignore cafeterias—these aren’t the sad lunchrooms from back home, but super-flexible, neighborhood joints that’ll do eggs, curries, juices and sandwiches at any time of day.

If you’re after the real local experience, stick to these proven tips:

• Avoid restaurants inside hotels—they almost always cost more because of location and taxes.
• Watch where construction workers or delivery drivers eat. If it’s packed, the food’s good and cheap.
• Street food stands in Al Rigga or Bur Dubai give you a true taste of Dubai for almost nothing.
• Check online deals—apps like Zomato and Careem often have discounts, sometimes 40% off or free delivery.

To break it down, here’s what you’ll likely pay for popular budget eats:

So, yes, you really can keep food prices in Dubai under control—if you know where to eat. If you’re trying to stretch your cash for nights out or other adventures, these places and tips will save you more than a few dirhams.

Upscale Dining: What to Expect and Pay

If you’re thinking about splurging on a fancy dinner in Dubai, get ready for some eye-popping menu prices. This city has a serious love for luxury, so there are plenty of options: five-star hotel restaurants, rooftop bars with skyline views, and celebrity chef spots like Nobu, Zuma, and STAY by Yannick Alléno. You’ll find imported ingredients, creative tasting menus, and sometimes even gold leaf on desserts (yep, actual gold).

Let’s get to the numbers. Dinner at a top-end restaurant usually starts around AED 350 per person (about $95), and that’s without alcohol. Main courses alone can often run from AED 150 to 400. A three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine? Think at least AED 900 ($245), and that can jump higher if you order cocktails or upgrade the wine selection.

Food prices in Dubai at these places include a load of extras you might not expect. There’s usually a 10% service charge and another 7% municipality fee—so even if you’re used to tipping, those extras get rolled in by default. Sometimes there’s also a 5% VAT. Always check your bill before reaching for your wallet.

Dress codes aren’t just a formality in most high-end places. Guys need to skip the shorts and flip-flops, and women might need to cover up a bit more than back home. Some spots even turn you away if you don’t match the look.

• Book ahead: Fancy restaurants usually fill up, especially on weekends.
• Look for set menus or business lunches—these can be way cheaper than à la carte prices and still let you taste the best.
• If you want alcohol, remember it’s only served in hotel restaurants, bars, or licensed venues—which bumps up the bill a lot.
• Check for seasonal deals, happy hours, or credit card discounts to save cash while enjoying the luxe vibe.

High-end dining in Dubai is all about the experience: incredible service, wild interiors, and a front-row view of people-watching. Just be ready for your wallet to feel it.

Typical Food Prices: Real Examples

If you’re fresh in Dubai and need real numbers, here’s what you’re looking at for food prices in Dubai—from cheap eats to fancier stuff. Dubai isn’t all gold-plated burgers and five-star buffets. You can eat decently for less than the price of a coffee back home, or splurge enough to make your wallet cry.

"Dubai offers a meal for every budget, but diners need to know where to look. You can pay AED 10 for a tasty shawarma or over AED 1,000 for a celebrity chef’s tasting menu." – Time Out Dubai

Let’s break down some actual food costs, so you don’t have to guess:

Most everyday meals that locals or expats eat out—like shawarma, biryani, or manakeesh—tend to be under AED 20 if you skip the touristy spots. Mid-range dining usually hovers around AED 50–80 per person (excluding drinks). Fancy brunches, especially on Fridays or at big hotels, can easily set you back AED 350 or more—just for food, not counting drinks.

Want to drink alcohol with your meal? You’ll pay premium prices, since booze is limited to hotels and a handful of licensed places. A glass of wine often starts at AED 45–65. A pint of beer? Around AED 40–60.

These prices can really add up, especially if you eat out for every meal. Most long-term visitors mix it up: they eat local food for everyday meals and save the high-end stuff for special outings. If you stick to groceries for breakfast or late-night snacks, you’ll stretch your cash a lot further.

Food Tips for Smart Spending in Dubai

Eating out in Dubai doesn’t have to drain your wallet—unless you let it. You can keep costs reasonable if you follow some tried-and-true tips that locals swear by. The first rule? Don’t get lured into eating only at tourist hot spots, especially in fancy hotels or malls. These places usually load on service and location fees. If you’re on the hunt for real value, step outside the main tourist zones and look for where the city’s working crowd eats.

Plenty of cheap eats can be found all over Dubai. Hunt down South Asian cafeterias in Bur Dubai or Karama, where you can get filling meals for less than 20 AED. Bakeries and supermarket delis are goldmines for quick snacks—Al Maya and Carrefour both have tasty, affordable options. In Deira, you’ll find fresh grilled fish and rice plates around the 30 AED mark. That’s what everyday Dubai looks like for folks who know the scene.

Here’s a simple playbook for eating smart:

• Skip the hotel breakfast buffet and grab breakfast at local cafés instead. Quality tea and a hot paratha can run as little as 5 AED.
• Use food delivery apps like Zomato and Talabat. They often run flash deals or meal bundles, especially in off-peak hours.
• If you’re shopping for groceries, Lulu Hypermarket and Union Coop beat the prices at smaller grocery stores. Their house-brand items are much cheaper than imported goods.
• Keep an eye out for lunch deals (often called "business lunches") between noon and 3 p.m. Even upscale places drop their prices by half during these hours.
• Tapping into Dubai's multicultural hot spots, like Al Rigga or Satwa, guarantees variety and fair prices. Global flavors, no tourist markups.

Taxes are already baked into restaurant prices, but some places sneak in a 10% service charge, especially hotel-based venues. Ask before you order so you know the real cost. Water is also sold by the bottle almost everywhere—tap isn’t an option when eating out, and those bottles add up.

Food writer Samantha Wood nails it:

"Dubai is only as expensive as you let it be. There’s always a budget-friendly bite if you’re willing to explore beyond the glossy surface."

When it comes to food prices in Dubai, street smarts beat luxury every time. Don’t be afraid to try crowded cafeterias—they’re popular for a reason. Locals aren’t eating at gold-plated burger joints every day, and neither should you.