What is Dubai for you? White-sand beaches, crystal clear water, gorgeous residential hotels, luxury shopping, bright unique culture?
Don’t forget that Dubai has also become a culinary center unmatched anywhere else on the planet. The cuisine is as ethnic and authentic as it is diverse and varied and food plays an important role in the range of life: 85% of the city's permanent population comes from more than 200 countries! It doesn’t matter if you are a tourist or resident, it’s important to understand the cost of food in Dubai to budget effectively. Keep reading to find out average food costs you can face in Dubai.
Cost of groceries
To compare groceries with dining out in Dubai it’s clear that the former are affordable and not very expensive. But it depends on your shopping habits. Local supermarkets, like Spinneys, Lulu Hypermarket and Carrefour offer a wide range of products, but when buying imported goods, you will have to pay more. On Average, you have to spend between AED 200 and AED 600 per person per week, taking into account the range of purchases. Here are some typical grocery prices:
- 1 liter of milk: AED 4 to AED 7
- a loaf of bread: AED 3 to AED 7
- dozen eggs: AED 10 to AED 15
- a kilo of rice: AED 7 to AED 15
- a kilo of chicken breast: AED 20 to AED 35
Breakfast cost in Dubai
Breakfast options in Dubai range from local dishes to multinational cuisine. A typical breakfast at a cafeteria or оrdinary restaurant costs approximately from AED 20 and AED 60. For instance, an Arabic breakfast consisting of bread, cheese, and olives will cost you AED 25, whereas a Western-style breakfast – eggs, toast and a cup of coffee will count for you AED 40–60. If you enjoy having a snack from a store or bakery, expect to spend about AED 10 to AED 25 for a sandwich or pastry and a beverage.
Lunch cost in Dubai
Cost for lunch in Dubai depends on the place you choose to eat out. Of course, it will vary. For a quick meal at some fast food restaurants or local cafés you have to pay around AED 25 to AED 50. However, if you prefer a more substantial meal and want to eat lunch at a mid-class restaurant, the cost will rise to AED 60 to AED 120 for a full meal with a drink.
Some examples of lunch options:
- fast food combo: AED 25 to AED 40
- local restaurant meal (shawarma, hummus, falafel): AED 30 to AED 60
- a main course with drinks at a mid-class restaurant: AED 60 to AED 120.
Dinner cost in Dubai
Dinner prices in Dubai are also dependent on where you eat. If you opt for a relaxed atmosphere, such as a food court or local cafeteria, you can expect to pay AED 40 to AED 80. For more sophisticated restaurants, the price will vary from AED 100 to AED 250 per person, and depends on the location of the restaurant and its cuisine.
So, a typical dinner could look like:
- food in fast casual dining: AED 40 to AED 80
- a dinner at a mid-class restaurant (with drink): AED 90 to AED 150
- fine dining per person: AED 150 to AED 250+
Cost of dining out
Dubai has a broad scope of eating options – from quick snacks to gourmet food choices. Below, we break down the costs for different gastronomic experiences.
Fast food
When we talk about fast food, we usually imagine Burger King, McDonald’s and KFC food chains, which are widely affordable in Dubai. What about the price for fast food? You’ll pay about AED 25 and AED 40 for a fast food meal, the variety of cost depends on the combo and location. Local fast food chains such as Operation Falafel, Noon o Kabab, AlBaik also provide budget-friendly options with some meals available for AED 10 to AED 20.
Casual dining
There are lots of casual dining options in Dubai. You can enjoy restaurants that offer multinational cuisines – Italian, Indian, Asian, American and more. A meal in a relaxed setting restaurant usually costs AED 50 to AED 100 for one person. For instance, a casual meal in a well-rated restaurant serving Mediterranean food may cost around AED 75 to AED 100, including a main dish and drink.
Fine dining
Exquisite cuisine in Dubai is an expensive pleasure and a big meal options varying from modern world cuisine to authentic regional flavours. For a person you have to pay from AED 200 to AED 500. At some of the city's high-end restaurants the cost of meals may be even more. Some world-renowned restaurants may cost even higher:
the Sky at Al Sufouh – fine dining with views of Dubai skyline will cost you AED 699 for a person;
for dinner on the 122nd floor at At.Mosphere at Burj Khalifa you’ll have to pay AED 450-600 per person;
a romantic dinner for two underwater at Ossiano at Atlantis The Palm will cost about AED 2100
Street food
Dubai's street food is an exciting and delicious part of its culinary city life. It offers a huge variety of dishes and tastes, from classic Arabic to modern western interpretations. The most popular street foods are:
- shawarma – a classic middle eastern dish made with grilled meat,
- falafel – deep-fried balls made from chickpea purée,
- manakish – flatbread with cheese or green fillings,
- Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese street snacks.
Walking around the city and feeling hungry you can buy street food from street vendors for around AED 15 to AED 35 per meal for a quick bite.
Factors affecting food prices in Dubai
What influences the cost of food in Dubai? We list you are several aspects:
- Most goods and food products are delivered to Dubai from abroad. Local prices for food also start shifting because of international shipping costs changes.
- Nowadays, people prefer to buy organic and health-focused products, that’s why prices in many food categories increase.
- Fruits and vegetables may be more expensive during certain times of the year, such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Conversely, cost for food may drop during local harvest seasons—though in years with poor harvests, price can rise significantly.
- Changes in the exchange rate between the UAE dirham and foreign currencies can impact the price of imported goods.
- In tourist hotspots such as Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai, prices for food and beverage are significantly higher than in more residential areas.
Tips for saving on food costs in Dubai
While dining in Dubai can be expensive, there are several tips than can help you to save money on food costs:
- Shop local food. Buy fresh produce and local products instead of imported ones. Local markets often provide better prices.
- Cook at home. Cooking at home can help you save money, especially if you're shopping for groceries in bulk.
- Take advantage of special meal offers: Many restaurants offer special lunch deals or happy hours with discounted meals.
- Explore street food. Street food is a low-cost and tasty way to try local flavors.
- Avoid tourist areas: If you want to dine affordably, avoid having lunch or dinner in tourist hotspots. Local restaurants in residential areas try to offer better prices.
- Use delivery services: Some delivery apps give discounts and promotions for first-time users or regular customers.
By understanding the cost of food and following these tips, you can enjoy a variety of meals in Dubai without breaking the bank. Whether you're on a budget or ready to indulge in a lavish dining experience, Dubai has options for every type of eater!
