20 Best Cheap Eats in Abu Dhabi That Locals Love
Real food, real prices: from shawarma that costs 10 dirhams to Ethiopian injera feasts and Malaysian roti for pocket change.
Abu Dhabi is expensive. The dining scene does not have to be. The queues here start at lunch and keep going through dinner—not because tourists have found a place, but because locals know what a dirham buys and they're not wasting it. These twenty restaurants run on straightforward economics: good ingredients, no frills, no uplift. You order at the counter or a waiter brings paper plates. The room is tight and the turnover is fast. On this list, you eat affordably, full stop.
We've ranked these by how reliably you can eat well for under 150 AED for two people. The neighbourhoods that cluster these spots—Al Zahiyah, Madinat Zayed, Al Danah, Al Mushrif—are where locals still eat. The cuisines that deliver the most food for the least money are Middle Eastern, Indian, and Southeast Asian. You order shared platters. You ask for extra bread. You leave satisfied and spend what a coffee costs elsewhere.
Bait El Khetyar
Al Danah, Al Najda Street · Levantine · Chicken shawarma AED 10, beef shawarma AED 11; open breakfast, lunch, dinner
The Levantine spot, which translates to House of Wisdom in English, is known among Abu Dhabi locals for serving some of the best shawarma in town. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as takeaway, you haven't lived until you have tried its akawi cheese manaeesh sprinkled with black sesame, with pretty much everything on the menu priced at an absolute steal. Two people eat for under Dhs 150. The counter work is quick, the sauce runs hot, and there's no performance.
Kopitiam by Chandy's
Al Falah Street, Abu Dhabi City · Malaysian · Hainanese chicken with rice AED 37; Wed–Mon 8am–10pm, closed Tue
The simple, yet delicious Hainanese chicken with rice is a must try, priced at a mere Dhs37, and you can still add on a starter of sumptuous roti and curry, and one of the desserts to share and still be well under budget. It's so popular there's sometimes a wait for a table and it's always a pleasure to see Chandy himself wandering around greeting guests and advising newbies on what to order. The menu is tight, the flavours run clean, and everything on the menu is under AED40 (aside from the odd special).
Al Mrzab
Al Mushrif, Airport Road · Emirati-Kuwaiti · Machboos AED 45–75; open 7am–11pm daily
Al Mrzab is a Bib Gourmand: good quality, good value cooking restaurant in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi. The bright neon sign is the first thing you notice about Al Mrzab; the second thing is the sheer number of diners who flock here, so expect to wait for a table – but the team cope well with such a busy restaurant. The traditional Emirati and Kuwaiti dishes are packed with flavour, use quality ingredients and offer good value for money. Be sure to finish with the hot, golden, cooked-to-order khanfaroush drizzled with local honey.
Bonna Anne Ethiopian Restaurant
Al Zahiyah, Tourist Club Area · Ethiopian · Dishes AED 35 average, meal for two AED 70; Sun–Mon 11am–midnight
Located in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi, Bonna Anne Ethiopian Restaurant offers an authentic taste of East African cuisine on a budget. The restaurant is known for its generous portions of delicious Ethiopian dishes served on traditional injera bread. A meal for two people costs around 70 AED (about $19 USD). That's crazy cheap for Abu Dhabi. You sit close to other diners, the room smells of spice and wood smoke, and you eat with your hands as intended.
Saigon House
Madinat Zayed and Khalifa City · Vietnamese · Pho and banh mi under AED 50; open daily for lunch and dinner
Saigon House opened its doors in September 2021, born from a simple idea: to bring the authentic, fresh flavors of Southern Vietnam to Abu Dhabi – at prices everyone could afford. For fresh, light and healthy Vietnamese cuisine, Saigon House serves up traditional dishes at super affordable prices. Dinner for 2 can easily cost you under AED100 and this includes starters and large-portioned mains. Order pho with beef, spring rolls, and a banh mi sandwich without guilt.
Al Alamain Restaurant
Al Danah · Street food · Hot dog and liver sandwiches AED 6; open 5am–1am daily
Al Alamain Restaurant has been on the block for a whopping 43 years. It offers a range of street food specialties at unbelievably low prices, like the hot dog and liver sandwiches at only Dhs6. With generous portions, low prices and an atmosphere that has resonated with residents for over 4 decades, this spot is a local favourite in the capital that keeps the crowds returning. It opens at five in the morning and closes at one at night.
Al Dhafra
Heritage Park, Corniche · Emirati · Grilled seafood and mixed grill; open daily for lunch and dinner
When you're in the mood for authentic Emirati food at affordable prices, Al Dhafra is located at Heritage Park on Corniche Road, and is a perennial favourite for its fresh seafood and traditional Arabic décor, where a mix of Emirati, Arabic, Mediterranean, and international dishes are served. Popular options on their menu include the grilled seafood and mixed grill platters. Sit facing the water and the bill stays reasonable when you order grilled fish and shared platters.
Evergreen Restaurant Vegetarian
Al Danah, Zayed The First Street · Gujarati vegetarian · Thali with unlimited sides; open daily
This charming eatery specializes in Gujarati thali, offering an array of flavorful curries served alongside hot, fried bread on silver platters. Rather than perusing a menu, guests simply indicate how many people are dining and are treated to unlimited servings—ideal for gathering with friends after a lively night out. Average price: AED 60 for two people. You leave full and it costs almost nothing.
Burro Blanco
Abu Dhabi City, multiple locations · Mexican street food · Tacos and burritos under AED 45; open daily
Homegrown Mexican street food restaurant Burro Blanco has been a favourite and has even won a Time Out Abu Dhabi restaurant award for Best Budget. It's excellent Mexican food, no fuss, no arguments. There isn't a better option in town for Mexican street food, and now there are two of them. The menu is short, the tacos arrive hot, and the bill never climbs.
Meylas
Al Raha Beach, Al Muneera · Emirati · Machboos AED 56, spiced prawn rice AED 75; open daily
Meylas is Shaikha Al Kaabi's Emirati kitchen that now holds a MICHELIN nod on Al Raha Beach. The menu reads like a family recipe book: machboos at AED 56, spiced prawn rice at AED 75, balaleet at AED 35. The food is cooked to order, the portions are generous, and Meylas is in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi.
Lanzhou Beef Ramen
Al Zahiyah · Chinese ramen · Authentic beef ramen for two AED 150; open daily
When it comes to ramen, budget can very often be best. Enter Lanzhou: for Dhs150 you and a friend can tuck in to authentic beef ramen and leave with that warm, fuzzy feeling you can only get from a delicious broth. The broth is clear, the noodles are chewy, and two people eat for exactly what they would spend on one meal elsewhere.
Abu Dhabi City · Lebanese · Shawarma and mezze plates under AED 50; open daily for lunch and dinner
stockLebanese Mill Restaurant in Abu Dhabi rated 4.9 out of 5 on Restaurant Guru with 3652 reviews by visitors. The room is loud with the sound of the grill, the portions are large, and the menu covers the full range of Lebanese mezze and grilled meats. Two people order a couple of platters, add dips and bread, and finish under budget.
Shawarma Time
Al Khalidiya and other locations · Levantine · Chicken and beef shawarma under AED 30; open daily
Shawarma Time is a fast food restaurant that offers premium shawarma food in many unique ways. The meat is carved hot from the spit, the bread is soft and fresh, and the sauce is layered with spice. Quick counter service, no seating fuss, and a full shawarma meal costs what a coffee should.
Multiple locations · Chinese and Indian · Biryani and seekh kebab under AED 50; open daily
stockOver the years, Nihal has proven itself to be consistently pocket-friendly and maintained high standards of deliciousness, both for dining in and delivery. From the authentic flavors to the budget-friendly prices, this place has it all. Nihal Restaurant serves cheap, delicious Chinese and Indian food. The restaurant is known for its healthy portion sizes and an extensive menu of Asian dishes.
Moti Mahal
Abu Dhabi City · Indian · Butter chicken and dahl makhani under AED 55; open daily for lunch and dinner
Moti Mahal is one of Abu Dhabi's longest standing Indian restaurants and it's created the most loyal of followings: the food is not only insanely good, but affordable too! Butter chicken, the perennial favourite, is creamy with lots of pieces of tender chicken. The vegetable biryani is a huge serving, more than enough for two people. Roti, naan and parathas are on point and in terms of spice, just enough heat is added so as not to overpower the dish.
Dampa Seafood Grill
Abu Dhabi City · Filipino seafood · Grilled prawns and fish dishes; open daily for lunch and dinner
This Filipino seafood restaurant, famed for its "boodle fight"-style dining, has been legendary in Dubai for as long as we can remember, so it's no surprise that Dampa Seafood Grill is cleaning up in the capital either. Indulge in a mouthwatering array of delights, from succulent grilled prawns to delectable fish dishes. Dampa Seafood Grill invites you to savour a tasty dining experience with prices that won't make waves.
Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi · Emirati · Machboos and lamb dishes under AED 60; open 10am–10pm daily
stockYou can't possibly visit Abu Dhabi and not try Emirati food. Al Fanar is the ultimate destination to experience local culinary delights. Enjoy the generous portions that perfectly align with Emirati hospitality. From fragrant rice to succulent lamb machbous, each dish showcases the richness of Emirati flavours. The setting is clean and well-lit, the service is quick, and families crowd the tables.
Lahmajoon
Abu Dhabi City · Lebanese-Armenian · Zaatar flatbread and sujuk under AED 35; open daily
Lahmajoon brings unique flavours and dishes from Lebanese, Arabic and Armenian cuisines. Considered one of the best Lebanese restaurants in Abu Dhabi, it has a menu that contains the finest cheap food in Abu Dhabi. Popular dishes at this restaurant include vayri baljan, Armenian sujuk, reman lahmajoon and zaatar. The flatbreads come straight from the oven and cost pocket change.
Almayass
The Galleria Mall, Al Maryah Island · Armenian-Lebanese · Large platters for two AED 100–140; open daily
Almayass is a Bib Gourmand restaurant where Armenian and Lebanese cuisine come together in soul-comforting dishes. Both cuisines are all about feasting, and the eatery offers large portions of food for diners to enjoy over a leisurely meal. Dishes here can easily be shared between two to three people and the midweek business lunch is great value for money.
Chaska
Abu Dhabi City · Indian · Meal for two under AED 50; Mon–Thu 6am–midnight, Fri–Sun 6am–1am
"Chaska" means "obsession", and the name isn't wrong. Price: a meal for two for under AED 50. Open: Monday - Thursday | 6am - midnight; Friday - Sunday | 6am - 1am. The coffee arrives hot and strong, the curries are cooked to order, and the entire meal costs less than a service charge elsewhere.
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