Looking for a Budget Travel Guide to UAE Food and Cuisine: Arabic and International with real prices, local tips, and safe, practical advice? As a Singapore-based traveller who visits the UAE regularly, I’ll show you how to enjoy authentic UAE food, from Emirati breakfasts to late-night shawarma, without overspending—while highlighting how Homejourney helps you plan smarter, especially if you’re also curious about Singapore property and long-term lifestyle choices.
This guide is a focused food and budget travel companion that supports our broader UAE pillar article: UAE Food & Cuisine Guide: Arabic & International | Homejourney UAE Food & Cuisine Guide: Arabic & International | Homejourney .
Why Visit the UAE for Food: Arabic and International on a Budget
The UAE—especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi—is one of the easiest places in the world to try both Emirati food and global Middle Eastern food alongside Indian, Filipino, Korean, Japanese and European cuisines, all within a few MRT-station-equivalent stops apart.
For Singaporeans used to hawker centres, UAE dining can feel pricier, but with planning, you can comfortably keep daily food spend around AED 60–120 (about SGD 22–44) per person by mixing street food, cafeterias and the occasional sit-down restaurant.[1][2]
From a lifestyle and future-investment perspective, many travellers who enjoy the cosmopolitan, food-focused experience in Dubai also compare it with Singapore’s own multicultural food and real estate scene—this is where Homejourney steps in as a trusted reference point for long-term planning.
Best Time to Visit for Food & Dining Experiences
Cool season (Nov–Mar) is ideal for outdoor dining, night markets, and walking between food spots, similar to enjoying open-air events in Singapore during the year-end period.
During Ramadan, many restaurants still open for tourists (discreetly in the daytime), but the highlight is iftar buffets—lavish evening meals at sunset with Emirati and international dishes. Prices range widely from budget AED 60–80 to AED 200+ at hotels.
If you’re on a strict budget, avoid heavy buffet-hopping and instead plan 1–2 special experiences, then focus on local cafeterias and street food the rest of the trip.
Getting There from Singapore & Currency Basics
From Singapore, direct flights to Dubai usually take about 7 hours, similar to flights to Taiwan or southern Japan. If you’re planning both UAE travel and potential Asian property investments, it can be efficient to route multi-city trips via Singapore as your regional base.
The local currency is the UAE dirham (AED), pegged closely to the USD, which makes it relatively stable compared with some regional currencies. For Singaporeans, this stability is useful when comparing cost of living or exploring diversification into Singapore property while spending in AED on holiday.
On Homejourney, we support and display conversions from AED for property searches, so you can easily mentally benchmark UAE dining costs against Singapore rentals or mortgages while exploring listings Property Search and financing options Bank Rates .
How Much Does Food Cost in Dubai on a Budget?
To plan a realistic Budget Travel Guide to UAE Food and Cuisine: Arabic and International, it helps to use current price ranges:
- Breakfast at a simple cafeteria or casual spot: AED 20–60 (e.g. Arabic breakfast with bread, cheese, olives around AED 25).[1]
- Quick lunch at a local café or fast food: AED 25–50 (shawarma, falafel, or set meals).[1]
- Mid-range restaurant lunch/dinner: AED 60–120 per person including a drink.[1]
- Fast food chain combo (McDonald’s, KFC, etc.): AED 25–40 per meal.[1][2]
- Street food (shawarma, kebab, manakish, snacks): AED 10–35 per item or simple meal.[1][2]
Based on recent breakdowns, a frugal but comfortable daily food budget in Dubai is roughly:
Vegetarian single traveller: AED 50–90 per day across three meals.[2]
Non-vegetarian single traveller: AED 55–95 per day.[2]
Key Emirati & Middle Eastern Foods to Try (On a Budget)
If you’re familiar with Singapore’s Arab Street or Kampong Glam, UAE food will feel like the “home ground” version—more variety, stronger flavours, and local pricing.
- Shawarma: Grilled meat in pita or flatbread, often under AED 10–20 at small shops.[1][2] Great as a cheap meal between sightseeing stops.
- Falafel & hummus: Deep-fried chickpea balls and chickpea dip, widely available; you can often get a filling plate with bread for under AED 20–30.[1][2]
- Manakish (manakeesh): Flatbread with cheese, za’atar, or meat—often similar in price to a slice of pizza back in Singapore.[1][2]
- Machboos / Kabsa: Rice with spiced meat, an Emirati and Gulf staple; better found in traditional Emirati restaurants, mid-range pricing.
- Arabic sweets: Baklava and kunafa are common; try them in small confectionaries instead of hotel buffets for better value.[2]
Insider tip: In older areas like Deira and Al Karama, you can find very local canteen-style eateries serving biryani, grilled meats, and curries at prices closer to Singapore’s heartland coffee shops than to Marina Bay dining.
Budget-Friendly Dubai Restaurants & Areas to Explore
While glossy malls and tower-top restaurants are tempting, a good Budget Travel Guide to UAE Food and Cuisine: Arabic and International leans on mixed choices: street food, neighbourhood gems, and selected mid-range meals.
Neighbourhoods for Cheaper Eats
- Al Karama: Known among Singapore expats for Indian and Pakistani food, momos, and cheap family-style eateries.[2]
- Deira & Al Rigga: Classic area for shawarma, grills and casual Iranian, Arabic and South Asian food; portion sizes are generous for the price.[2][3]
- Bur Dubai: Easy to combine with sightseeing at Dubai Creek and Al Fahidi; lots of budget cafeterias and Middle Eastern food.
Sample Budget-Friendly Spots (Arabic & International)
Based on recent lists of affordable restaurants and cheap-eats rankings:[2][3][5]
- Operation Falafel (various branches, incl. JBR): Focus on Lebanese/Middle Eastern classics like falafel platters and shawarma; average about AED 80 for two people.[2][3]
- Ravi Restaurant (Satwa): Famous Pakistani dishes like biryani and curries, roughly AED 80 for two people—popular with budget travellers and long-term residents.[2]
- Shiraz Nights (Al Rigga): Known for shawarma and rice plates; about AED 70 for two people.[2]
- Global Village (seasonal): If open during your visit, set aside AED 150–250 per person to sample multiple cuisines in small portions.[4]
For more restaurant-specific recommendations, refer to our companion piece Best Food & Restaurants in UAE: Arabic & International (Homejourney Guide) Best Food & Restaurants in UAE: Arabic & International (Homejourney Guide) .
Practical Budget Tips: Eating Well and Safely
Homejourney’s core values are safety and trust, and that extends to travel food advice. While the UAE has high hygiene standards, it’s still wise to choose food spots carefully, especially if you have kids or seniors in your group.
- Check recent reviews: Use recent traveller ratings (within the last 6–12 months) when choosing street food or small eateries.[3]
- Eat where office workers eat: In business districts or older neighbourhoods, follow the local lunch crowd—usually means good turnover and fresher food.
- Hydration & heat: If you’re walking 10–15 minutes between metro stops and restaurants in hot months, carry water and avoid heavy fried meals midday.
- Buffets vs à la carte: Unless you have a big appetite, it’s often cheaper and less wasteful to order sharing plates à la carte instead of daily buffets.
