Dubai is known around the world for its extravagance way of life, cutting edge high rises, and world-class attractions. But for travelers arranging a trip, one common address emerges: “Is Dubai Expensive for Food?”
The reply depends on where and how you select to eat. Whereas Dubai is domestic to a few of the most luxurious fine-dining eateries in the world, it too offers budget-friendly eateries, road nourishment, and universal fast-food chains. This assortment implies nourishment costs can run from exceptionally reasonable to ultra-luxurious.
In this blog, we’ll break down nourishment costs in Dubai, compare distinctive eating alternatives, and share commonsense tips to offer assistance you appreciate delightful dinners without overspending.
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Is Eating Out in Dubai Expensive? Real Costs Explained
1. Nourishment Costs in Dubai: An Overview
Dubai is a multicultural city, domestic to individuals from over 200 nationalities, which is reflected in its different nourishment scene. You’ll discover everything from cheap Indian curries, Arabic shawarmas, and Pakistani biryanis to Michelin-starred eateries advertising caviar and gold-flaked desserts.
- Budget dinners: AED 15–40 ($4–11) per person
- Mid-range eateries: AED 60–150 ($16–41) per person
- Fine feasting: AED 300+ ($82+) per person
So, is Dubai costly for nourishment? It can be—if you as it were adhere to extravagance eating. But with so numerous alternatives, it’s conceivable to eat well on nearly any budget.
2. Road Nourishment and Budget-Friendly Options
If you need to involvement Dubai’s flavors without investing a fortune, road nourishment and nearby cafeterias are your best bet.
- Shawarma: AED 7–15 ($2–4)
- Falafel sandwich: AED 5–10 ($1.50–3)
- Hummus with bread: AED 15–20 ($4–5)
- South Asian suppers (biryani, curries, thalis): AED 20–35 ($5–9)
Neighborhoods like Deira, Karama, and Satwa are full of little eateries advertising generous suppers at exceptionally moo costs. Numerous expats working in Dubai eat here daily.
For budget travelers, eating road nourishment or in little eateries can keep your day by day nourishment costs beneath AED 50–70 ($14–19).
3. Mid-Range Eating in Dubai
Mid-range eateries in Dubai give a adjust between cost and encounter. You’ll discover casual feasting chains, inn eateries, and themed eateries serving worldwide cuisines.
Examples of prices:
- Pizza or pasta in a casual eatery: AED 50–80 ($14–22)
- Indian or Lebanese dinner with drinks: AED 70–120 ($19–33)
- Buffet in a inn: AED 100–180 ($27–49)
For numerous visitors, mid-range eating is the most viable choice. You get a comfortable air and quality nourishment without the luxury of fine dining.
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4. Fine Eating in Dubai
Dubai is a play area for extravagance significant others, and its fine-dining scene demonstrates it. With celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, and Heston Blumenthal running eateries here, feasting can ended up an encounter in itself.
- Dinner at Atlantis The Palm or Burj Al Middle easterner: AED 500–1000+ ($136–272+) per person
- Michelin-starred tasting menu: AED 800–2000 ($218–545)
- Specialty cocktails or sweets: AED 70–150 ($19–41)
For travelers looking for elite culinary encounters, Dubai’s fine eating can be extraordinary. But yes, this is where nourishment gets to be genuinely expensive.
5. Basic need Shopping and Cooking at Home
For long-term travelers or expats, eating out day by day can get expensive. Basic need shopping and cooking at domestic is a cost-saving alternative.
Average basic supply costs in Dubai (per item):
- 1 liter of drain: AED 6 ($1.60)
- 1 daydream of bread: AED 5 ($1.36)
- 1 kg rice: AED 7 ($1.90)
- 1 kg chicken: AED 25 ($6.80)
- 1 dozen eggs: AED 12 ($3.30)
Shopping at grocery stores like Carrefour, Lulu, and Union Coop keeps costs sensible. Cooking at domestic can bring your day by day nourishment costs down to AED 25–40 ($7–11).
6. Liquor and Drinks Costs in Dubai
Another calculate that makes Dubai nourishment costly is liquor, which is intensely controlled and as it were accessible in authorized eateries, bars, and hotels.
- Beer (in a bar or eatery): AED 40–60 ($11–16)
- Cocktail: AED 70–120 ($19–33)
- Bottle of wine in a eatery: AED 250–600 ($68–163)
Since liquor is confined, it essentially increments the charge at higher-end places. Numerous budget travelers dodge liquor to spare money.
7. Tips to Spare Cash on Nourishment in Dubai
If you’re stressed approximately nourishment costs, here are a few keen hacks to spare cash whereas still getting a charge out of Dubai’s nourishment scene:
- Eat where local people eat – Skip traveler hotspots and attempt little eateries in neighborhoods like Karama or Satwa.
- Try nourishment courts in shopping centers – Dubai shopping centers have expansive nourishment courts with worldwide chains at sensible prices. Is Dubai Expensive for Food?
- Use conveyance apps – Apps like Talabat, Zomato, and Deliveroo frequently have discounts.
- Look for set menus and lunch bargains – Numerous eateries offer buffet snacks or commerce lunch menus at lower prices.
- Avoid overrated traveler attractions – Eateries close attractions like Burj Khalifa or Palm Jumeirah frequently charge premium prices.
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8. So, Is Dubai Costly for Food?
- The truth is—Dubai can be both cheap and costly, depending on how you select to eat.
- On a budget, you can survive on AED 50–70 ($14–19) per day with road nourishment and little eateries.
- With mid-range feasting, anticipate around AED 150–250 ($41–68) per day.
- For fine eating, costs can effectively take off to AED 1000+ ($272+) per day.
- Dubai’s nourishment scene is flexible, making it conceivable for hikers, families, and extravagance travelers to all discover suppers that suit their budget.
Final Thoughts
Dubai has earned its notoriety for being costly, but when it comes to nourishment, the city offers something for each budget and taste inclination. From shawarma slows down to Michelin-starred eateries, you can control how much you spend.
FAQs
How much does a meal cost in Dubai?
Depending on the restaurant type, a dinner in Dubai might be exceedingly expensive or quite reasonable. Mid-range restaurants usually charge between 60 and 160 AED, high-end restaurants charge 5000 AED or more for a meal that includes beverages, and budget restaurants can charge between 20 and 50 AED.
Is food cheap in Dubai for tourists?
Meals at upscale eateries in places like Downtown Dubai or Jumeirah Beach can easily cost between £50-£100+ per person. Restaurants like Nobu and Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen provide unique eating experiences, but they are not inexpensive.
How much money do you need for 7 days in Dubai?
How much cash should you bring with you? Your daily goal should be to take at least £150 to £200 (450 to 650 AED) per person. What you intend to do during your trip will determine this, though.