The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country full of opportunity, some describe it as a melting pot of cultures and welcoming folks from all over the world. One of many privileges of living in the UAE is having access to a rich variety of food, suiting everyone’s pocket and the most discerning tastes. That of course, doesn’t end with residents but tourists and food enthusiast travellers can also enjoy the food diversity that is offered here so generously.
But having thorough information about food pricing is an absolute must for everyone aspiring to move to the UAE, no matter the times they intend to stay. In this in-depth article by Dxboffplan, we will go through food prices in UAE, and also the budget you must expect for your favourite meal. Whatever your preference, whether in high-class restaurants, street food, or supermarkets, knowing what you are up against beforehand can make your transition to living in the UAE or your trip a lot easier. Let’s explore.
The price of food in the UAE completely depends on where and what you chose to eat. For instance, when you done in Abu Dhabi, your going to pay a little extra compared to when you live or visit Sharjah and chose a restaurant. In Abu Dhabi however, you could expect a plethora of high-class and expensive restaurants at your disposal. Naturally, this pushes up the cost of living in Abu Dhabi in a considerable way.
Or if you’re eating at posh restaurants in areas like Downtown Dubai or Jumeirah Beach, your meal can easily cost 230–460+ AED per person. Other places like Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen or Nobu are also there to welcome you offering an unforgettable dining experience, but they don’t come cheap.
There are fortunately, an astonishing variety of restaurants in the UAE, with high-class restaurants providing an extravagant culinary experience and affordable ones providing a low budget meal and a quick bite at a burger van.
Dining in the UAE is a sophisticated and rich experience, much similar to living in its vibrant society. Wherever your location, whether it’s the buzzing Dubai or quieter emirates, a rich variety of culinary experiences will present themselves, no matter your budget. Although the first-class restaurants stand for most of the cost of living in Dubai, your expenses in the rest of the UAE will depend, in part, on your consumption level, expectations from food and dining experience in general. Next we will explore the cost of eating out in the UAE, beginning with luxurious culinary experiences and working towards luxurious budget options:
The UAE is renowned for its luxurious living, and its luxurious restaurants will not disappoint in any form. Luxury restaurants in Dubai and, to a lesser extent, in other emirates, present a sophisticated culinary encounter, most times in breathtaking settings, not to mention the exemplary service. Eating out in such restaurants can, therefore, become a costly exercise, with a meal costing about 5000 AED including drinks and 3500 AED excluding them. These restaurants present mouthwatering dishes prepared under expert chefs, they are in fact famous for their excellence all over the world.
Looking for the most luxurious experience? Head to Al Iwan restaurant at Burj Al Arab, famous to be “the world’s only 7-star hotel”. You could enjoy a high-class buffet lunch or dinner of authentic Arabian dishes while enjoying the sea and city views of Dubai. Other posh restaurants in Dubai include Enigma, Asil Restaurant Dubai, Yacht Club Restaurant, Hakkasan Dubai, Bleu Blanc, Stay by Yannick Alleno, Bice Mare Restaurant, Il Ristorante, Pierchic, Doors Freestyle Grill, and many more. Those traveling or living in Abu Dhabi could also visit Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi, Moksh Restaurant & Lounge, Cipriani or Zuma restaurants for the same experience.
For those who enjoy quality dining without the high price tag, mid-range restaurants in the UAE are an excellent choice. These establishments offer good quality food with diverse menus that cater to various tastes. Prices typically range from 80 to 160 AED per meal, proving that there are a considerable amount of quality food to be had at an affordable cost in Dubai and other emirates. Among Mid-range restaurants, the best Iranian restaurants in Dubai stand out for their exceptional flavors and reasonable prices.
These are Dubai’s best places to dine out, where you can easily get a meal with drinks, for less than 500 AED per couple: DIFC/Downtown, BB Social Dining, Fi’lia or The Crossing. There is also Al Sultan Restaurant & Grill, Tikka Tonight, Punjab Highway Restaurant and Bannu Gul Beef Pulao Restaurant for those visiting or living in Abu Dhabi.
Budget-conscious diners will find plenty of affordable options in the UAE. Local eateries and budget restaurants offer delicious meals at reasonable prices, ranging from 20 to 50 AED. The UAE’s food scene is diverse, and even budget restaurants maintain a high standard of hygiene and quality. These budget friendly restaurants have diverse menus that both kids and adults will enjoy and adore. You can give everything a shot, from Middle Eastern dishes to Asian cuisines. There are fantastic options for picky eaters too. With places like Behrouz Biryani in Dubai costing about AED 35 for two and 11 Woodfire and Bait Maryam offering meals that bring people together. You could also try out the vibrant 3Fils or the calm Bombay Bungalow, both also in Dubai. Finding cheap dining options in the UAE can be a fun adventure that creates happy memories.
The UAE is also a great place for vegetarians, with many restaurants offering extensive vegetarian menus. Dubai, for instance, has a lot of Mediterranean, Indian, Chinese, and Thai restaurants where vegetarian dishes are plentiful.
Prices for vegetarian food can vary based on the type of restaurant. In local eateries, vegetarian meals typically cost around 30-70 AED. Health-focused or specialty vegetarian restaurants may charge between 60-150 AED or more. In luxurious restaurants, vegetarian dishes might range from 150-300 AED, reflecting the premium ingredients and elaborate preparations. You can try the Lime Tree Café, THE One and Celebrities in Dubai where you can enjoy fine dining over a completely separate vegetarian menu.
Fast food is an affordable and convenient meal for most UAE tourists and residents. It is an effective way in which one can save a lot in terms of food and yet have a delicious experience with variety at one’s fingertips. The best fast food restaurants in Dubai include Five Guys Burgers & Fries, What to Order, The Vibe, Shake Shack and The Grill Shack. Fast food in the UAE can sell for the following price in general:
Many use McDonald’s when hoping for a convenient meal of fast food in the UAE. McDonald’s UAE has more than 190 restaurants to serve customers in its Emirates. McDonald’s can sell for a variety of your orders, but below is an indicative price range:
Hydrating oneself in a warm country such as in the UAE is important, and one can pay a range of price for a drink. Dubai, in general, can have a high range in terms of food and a price for a drink, but you have a variety of choices for any budget:
Not surprisingly, alcoholic drinks in UAE come at a considerable price, thanks to high government taxes. A pint of beer will cost you around 11–13 AED in a pub, a glass of wine around 40dh and a basic cocktail around 50dh.
Although travelers don’t usually have this option, for most residents, cooking at home proves to be a smart move for savings. There are a lot of grocery items in stores in the UAE, and most of them have a fair price tag. For instance, fresh produce, poultry, and other items are generally affordable in Dubai, even when compared to other major cities. Here’s a rough estimate of most grocery items’ price:
On average, a couple’s monthly grocery bill ranges from AED 800 to AED 1,200, highly dependent on where and what they eat in the house. The top Supermarkets in Dubai offering great prices are Carrefour, Spinneys, Choithrams Supermarkets, Lulu Hypermarket, UNION COOP and AL MAYA. Shopping at local markets or wholesale stores like Dragon Mart could help budget-conscious residents very much.
Upon arriving in UAE, we suggest starting your tasty trip with traditional Emirati dishes such as Harees and Machboos, and maybe some street food such as falafel and shawarma.
With its cosmopolitan citizen base, the wealth of cuisines you will experience here is completely expected, with Japanese sushi and curries, Italian pastas and patisserie, and many other exciting meals.
The country’s restaurants have a variety of American favorites, such as juicy burgers and fries, high-class steakhouses with quality cuts of meat, and a variety of African and Middle Eastern cuisines, such as Moroccan tagines, Lebanese spreads of mezze, and Ethiopian injera, with bold and aromatic spices and herbs. There is a rich mix of cuisines, with high-profile chefs creating new dishes combining a mix of culinary cultures.
Quality and variety in these restaurants assure a culinary journey with each meal, and for foodies, a culinary haven. In case you’re interested in knowing more about life in the UAE, then surely, living conditions in the UAE will be a highly useful guide for you.
Have you ever wondered how the UAE compares to its neighboring countries and Western countries in terms of food prices?
The general food prices in the UAE will be a little pricey in comparison to Iran, Saudi and Oman but less when you count Kuwait and Qatar in the list. For a simple meal at a moderately priced Dubai restaurant, for instance, will range between 80-160 AED, but in Riyadh, a similar meal will range between 50-120 SAR (50-120 equivalent in AED). In Qatar, grocery items such as rice, bread, and dairy are more expensive compared to UAE, as import taxes are higher. whereas Saudi Arabia benefits from domestic agricultural production, keeping costs lower.
Comparatively, in relation to the UK, America, and European countries, food in the UAE will be cheap when it comes to groceries but relatively pricey in relation to restaurants. McDonald’s meals in Dubai will range between 20-35 AED, but in London, about £6-£8 (40-30 equivalent in AED). Western staple foods such as bread, rice, and dairy in the UAE are affordable because of tax policies, but Western foods and drinks remain a bit pricey. Alcohol, in contrast, will cost a lot in the UAE with high taxes, and nightlife in its major cities will therefore be expensive in comparison to most Western cities in general.
The UAE is a rich culinary haven with a variety of tasty and exciting food at a comfortable price range for everyone. Food prices in UAE makes the country an ideal location for tourists, new and long-term residents as well. With budget friendly diners to cheerful street foods and posh restaurants for the luxurious, anyone can have a quality meal at a fair price that won’t burn a hole in their pocket. For foodies, hearing such good news about the UAE food scene is a delight, but also an invitation. We at Dxboffplan are also delighted to provide the latest Dubai property prices and other major cities, if the UAE has seduced you with its charming and high quality lifestyle.
A meal in the UAE can vary in price, in terms of restaurants, in that in high-class restaurants, a meal can cost up to 5000 AED including drinks, in mid range restaurants between, 60-160 AED, and in budget restaurants, 20-50 AED for a meal.Prices for vegetarian meals in the UAE start around 30-70 AED to 60-150 AED or even 300 AED in high end places.
To save your money for food in the UAE, try having your meal in budget restaurants or fast foods. Having your meal prepared at your home with ingredients purchased in locally run grocery stores is a cheap alternative, too.
There is a price range for hot drinks such as coffee, 3.5-21 AED, tea for 10-15 AED, and a cappuccino for 10-20 AED. Drinking a water bottle can range between 1.5-3 AED, and a small bottle can cost less than 1 AED.
Although life in the UAE is luxurious, most living and consumption alternatives can be budgeted for. Having a certain level of awareness regarding food and expenses can enable you to budget properly and living in the UAE can become a feasible alternative for most.
