Dubai Food Prices Guide 2026: Average Meal Cost, Street Food & Dining Cost in Dubai

Dubai is a food lover’s paradise, offering everything from budget-friendly street food to world-class fine dining. Understanding Dubai food prices before your trip can help you plan your travel budget and enjoy the city without overspending. The average meal cost in Dubai varies depending on where you eat, making it easy to find options that suit every budget. In this guide, you’ll discover the latest Dubai food price list, affordable dining spots and practical tips to manage your overall budget while exploring the city’s diverse culinary scene.

How Much Are Daily Grocery Costs in Dubai?

Before estimating your Dubai food cost, it’s worth understanding the price of daily groceries, especially if you're planning a longer stay and prefer cooking instead of dining out. The Dubai food price list varies depending on where you shop. Local supermarkets often offer better value on daily essentials, while premium grocery stores usually stock a wider selection of imported products at slightly higher prices. The given table shows you an overview of common grocery items along with their costs:

Carbonated Drink

What’s the Average Food Cost in Dubai?

The average meal cost in Dubai largely depends on your dining preference and daily eating habits. If you stick to budget-friendly cafes, food courts, or local restaurants, you can expect to spend around AED 40 - 80 (8 - 16 GBP) per day on meals. Travellers who prefer mid-range restaurants may spend AED 100 - 250 (20 - 51 GBP) per day, while those choosing luxury dining can easily exceed AED 300 (61 GBP) daily.

Food cost for a Vegetarian traveller per day in Dubai is:

Food cost for a Non-Vegetarian traveller per day in Dubai is:

Cost Of Dining Out in Dubai

The Dubai food cost varies based on the type of restaurant you choose. From quick service outlets to luxury restaurants, Dubai offers dining options for every budget. Whether you are grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a gourmet experience, understanding Dubai food prices can help you plan your daily food budget more effectively.

Fast Food in Dubai

Fast food is the most affordable dining option in the city. Popular chains like McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King typically charge AED 25-40 (5 - 8 GBP) for a combo meal, making them a convenient choice for budget-conscious travellers.

Casual Dining in Dubai

Casual restaurants serving Arabic, Italian, Indian, Chinese, and other international cuisines generally cost between AED 50-120 (10 - 24) per person. Let's check the most popular dining spots and the average meal cost in Dubai for 2 persons.

Fine Dining in Dubai

Dubai is the home of some of the most luxurious restaurants. A meal at a fine dining venue usually starts from AED 300 (61 GBP) per person and can go well beyond AED 1000 (205 GBP), depending on the restaurant, menu and dining experience. 

Cost of Street Food

Street food is perfect for travellers looking to enjoy authentic flavours without spending much. Shawarma, falafel, samosas, and other local favourites are widely available, with prices generally ranging between AED 50-80 (10-16 GBP), making street food one of the most budget-friendly ways to enjoy Dubai food prices.

Cost Associated With Eating Out in Dubai

When calculating your overall Dubai food cost, keep in mind that some extra charges may apply when dining out:

• Tipping is optional in Dubai, but a small tip of AED 5-10 (1-2 GBP) is usually appreciated for good service.
• Some restaurants may also charge a parking fee, especially in busy areas, and the parking charges range between AED 5-25 (1-5 GBP) per hour.
• Many special zone restaurants can add up to a 10% service charge to your bills. It is advised to make sure to check that before visiting.

Dubai Food Prices: Street vs. Fast Food

As per the Dubai food price list, street food is the most affordable option that many travellers like to have the most. Street food is much cheaper compared to restaurants. The given table will help to analyse the cost of Street Food along with fast food.

Monthly Food Budget in Dubai For One Person

If you are travelling to Dubai from the UK and planning a longer stay there, then it is very important for you to know the monthly Dubai food cost and budget along with the details for getting a Dubai Visa Online from the UK. The given table shows an estimation of food cost in Dubai according to various lifestyles. 

Continental Food Availability and Price

Continental Food in Dubai is highly available across all price points, that ranges from quick, budget-friendly neighbourhood bites to ultra-luxury fine dining venues of Dubai. Mainly the cafes and restaurants in Dubai are based on continental themes where you can enjoy many types of dishes from all across the world. However, some cafes and restaurants offers the dishes that belongs to specific countries of the world according to their popularity. The Dubai food prices for these dishes are usually different and based on their themes and availability:

Mexican

Dubai has many great spots or venues for mexican food, including Maiz Tacos, Maria Bonita Taco Shop & Grill, and En Fuego.

• The mexican food in Dubai generally ranges approximately AED 150 (31 GBP), that is completely much for two person to full their tummy.
• These foods generally costs AED 60-70 (12 - 14 GBP) per serving according to the well known places.
• You should add Meshico, Tortuga, Luchador, and Jules in bucket list if you are an affordable traveller.

Chinese

Chinese is also the most popular continental food that is available widely in Dubai.

• Chinese food cost is around AED 150 (31 GBP) for two persons.
• Another most affordable option for chinese is to eating it at street food, where it ranges between AED 35-40 (7 - 8 GBP).
• The list for affordable cafe option for the chinese foods include Panda Chinese, Wok Boyz, Chin Chin, and  Zen, JLT.

Italian

The Italian food in Dubai usually costs around AED 200 (41 GBP) for two person that is quite more expensive then the Mexican and chinese.

• Most viral and popular dishes like Pizza costs around AED 80 (16 GBP) per person.
• One of the best restaurants for Italian food includes, Alici, Bussola, Scalini, and Roberto's Ristorante.
• The most affordable Italian food providers in Dubai are suggested as Pizza Pazza, Tondo Pizza, Sweetberry, etc.

Japanese

The Japanese food ranges around AED 300 (61 GBP) for two persons that makes it too expensive as compare to other continental food options in Dubai.

• You are required to visit the listed places for affordable price option for the Japanese food, that are Bento-Ya, Umami, Reif Kushiyaki, Wokyo Noodle Bar, and Yo! Sushi.

Most Cheap Eats in Dubai

Dubai offers many great budget friendly meals under AED 30 (6 GBP) if you know where to find them, with having iconic places like Ravi Restaurant in Satwa, Al Ustad Special Kebab in Al Fahidi, and Bu Qtair Restaurant by the fishing harbour leading the way for cheap, flavorful dining. 

List Of 5 Best Affordable Cafes in Dubai

• The Meeting Room
• Pappa roti
• Coffee Tea Fusion Café
• FiLLi Cafe
• Smoqoholic Seafood Restaurant & Café

Top Street Foods to Eat In Dubai Under AED 10

The Dubai food price list according to a budget-friendly UK traveler and also based on the pocket expenditure as they costs under AED 10 (2 GBP).

• Cheese Potato Oman Chips
• Falafel Sandwich
• Rigag
• Chips Sandwich
• Muhammara
• Cheese Chilli Chicken Oman Chips Roll

Here Are The Top Most Expensive Restaurants in Dubai with Prices

Many peoples really wants to enjoy these food options at high-end food eateries having 4 or 5 star facilities because these spots provides the amazing serving style and decoration on the ordered meals. If you are moving to Dubai for honeymoon, you can add the given restaurants to your upcoming list that matches the criteria of your Dubai food price for UK travellers.

Ossiano, Atlantis The Palm

You should definitely include this place if you are the travellers who are looking for seafood, cocktails, and mocktails with live music. The approximately cost for a meal for two peoples is AED 1400 (287 GBP).

Nathan Outlaw At Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab

The restaurant genuinely blends signature dishes with simplicity that offers biggest variety of seafood. Price for two person meal around AED 1300 (266 GBP).

Kohantei, Dubai Opera

This is the recommended food place in Dubai for Japanese food which costs around AED 1200 (246 GBP).

Al Iwan, Burj Al Arab

The Al Iwan, Burj AI Arab offers both a simple meal to everything else that you wants to eat as the place is basically famous for serving every kind of dishes. The Dubai food price of the place is ranges around AED 1000 to 1200 (205 - 246 GBP).

Factors Affecting Food Prices in Dubai

There are many factors which impacts the average meal cost in Dubai which includes the following:

• Most of the food items such as Basmati, spices like turmeric, cardamon, and saffron and some time even seasonal fruits that Dubai imports from other countries. Sometimes the Dubai food prices also increases when the international shipping rates increases.
• As per seasonal requirements or demands like Ramdan or Eid, the rates of fruits, vegetable, and meat slightly increases.
• The currently exchange rates also impact greatly on the prices of imported goods.

Tourist Guide and Tips to Keep Food Costs on Budget

If you are traveling to Dubai from UK and want to decrease the Dubai food cost, then there are some tips that heps you to enjoy the amazing food options in affordable price range. Note down the given tips to cut down the prices of food cost while exploring Dubai as an UK citizens:

• You should avoid eating at the cafes or restaurants near the tourism places or hotspots to prevent the extra charges as compared to the local ones.
• There is also an Entertainer App, that is generally available to tell or inform you about Buy one get one deals at the restaurants across the Dubai. This App will helps you to save your hundreds of Dhirams monthly by taking knowledge about all the applicable offers.
• Be careful of the modification of dishes at the expensive restaurants as they can slightly increase the cost.
• The major enemy of your Dubai food prices is purchasing alcohol in Dubai as the alcohol in Dubai is generally considered most expensive.
• If you are staying for longer stays in Dubai then the Grocery stores like LuLu and Carrefour mostly offers discounts to the larger packages of rice, meat, and oil.