Abu Dhabi’s dining scene is a mosaic of multinational cuisines, with many global flavors merged with local Emirati recipes. While many international tourists love splurging on the expensive restaurants in Abu Dhabi, there are plenty of budget-friendly dining options to treat your taste buds without overspending. Here are 15 best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
1. Bonna Anne Ethiopian Restaurant
Address: Al Zahiyah, E16-02, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 491 2128
Spices dominate Ethiopian cuisine, and there is no better way to experience the native flavors of East Africa, that too on a budget, than Bonna Anne Ethiopian Restaurant.
This is one of the best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi offering a family-friendly environment for those looking for affordable lunch or dinner options in the Al Zahiyah district. So while you’re visiting this Tourist Club Area, or shopping at the Abu Dhabi Mall, don’t forget to check the hidden dining gems like Bonna Anne besides the high-end restaurants.
Bonna Anne offers an exciting, affordable, and friendly dining experience. It’s the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi to enjoy a variety of Ethiopian foods, like Quanta Firfir takes bites of injera and dips in special Ethiopian beef jerky, and Meser be Sega, meat and spiced lentils stewed in a blend of dried chilies. We can assure you, there is no compromise on spices, grains and butter at this restaurant.
Bonna Anne Ethiopian restaurant has a laid-back, clean, and well-maintained ambiance, with the African cultural touch evident in the décor, lighting and customer service.
2. Bait El Khetyar – Najdah
Address: Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 633 3200
Bait El Khetyar in the Al Danah Area of Abu Dhabi is a cozy sport serving Middle Eastern and Lebanese delights. You’ll love this place for its delicious shawarmas, stuffed falafel, and manakeesh and shawarma platter.
Quick service and reasonable prices are the main highlights of Bait El Khetyar, the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi where two people can easily dine in under Dhs 150. The menu features other Lebanese culinary favorites like Tabbouleh, Fattoush, Qodisyeh, and Fatteh Khetyar.
This charming little dining spot on Najdah Street is decorated in pure Middle Eastern style, with earthy tones and ambient lights, thus making any ordinary lunch or dinner an exciting adventure without any burden on your wallet.
Can’t decide what to choose from the tempting menu items? We would suggest going for the El Khetyar Shawarma – it is stuffed with juicy chicken, fries, pickles, and their special sauce. The chicken one will cost you Dhs 10 and the beef shawarma is just for Dhs 11.
3. Denny’s Diner Middle East | Abu Dhabi Mall
Address: Abu Dhabi Mall, Ground Floor, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 50 752 3066
Abu Dhabi Mall has a lot of budget-friendly dining options, but Denny’s Diner stands out as a happy American diner where most people arrive for delicious and classic breakfast items. In fact, this is the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi Mall for when you want to grab a quick breakfast or snack on your way to the office.
The diner was first introduced to Emirates in 2015, but dates back to 1953 – the mission always being to serve your comfort food in a warm and welcoming environment. The place is highly regarded for its budget-friendly deals and bundles, to make the dining experience even more wallet-friendly.
For example, the 2-for-1 Monday deal, which gets you one extra pasta or skillet free on your purchase. Sweet treats are mostly available for a price as low as Dhs 15, which includes delectable bites like Berry Pancake Treat, Caramel Apple Crisp, and Ore Pancake Treat.
An unlimited breakfast offer, at just Dhs 49, is available all day every weekday, and how can one resist this tempting offer when there are cheesy scrambled eggs, buttermilk pancakes, and crispy hash browns in front of you? Head over to Denny’s, one of the best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi that will satisfy you both in terms of the price and taste of food.
4. Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que
Address: LEVEL 3, Abu Dhabi Mall, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 658 7863
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que is another cozy space and the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi Mall if you want to try steaks, brisket, burgers, and ribs on a budget.
The steakhouse is widely known for serving BBQ items cooked using authentic techniques and etiquettes, such as wood-smoked meats cooked slowly retaining the texture and flavor of your steaks. Their exciting deals start from just Dhs 29, and there is always a discount on scrumptious burgers, signature steaks, and smoking hot fried chicken.
Famous Dave’s BBQ is located on the third level of Dubai Mall, and besides being a budget-friendly restaurant, people love coming here for its convenient parking facilities, and curbside pickup. If you’re in the mood for a hearty meal, with juicy meat served with a generous amount of sides, all in an affordable package, Famous Dave’s BBQ will definitely leave a lasting impression on you.
The steakhouse has rich wooden accents and ambient lighting throughout. Once comfortably seated, enjoy the gentle sizzle of grilled steaks and clinks of silverware around you. Indeed it is among the best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi Mall to enjoy a fine dining experience at pocket-friendly rates.
5. Evergreen Restaurant Veg.
Address: Zayed The First St, Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 676 7361
Craving a Gujarati Thali? Or maybe Aloo Paratha to satisfy your Indian breakfast cravings in the morning? There is a fine share of best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi serving authentic Indian food, but Evergreen restaurant unfolds an even more intimate relationship with Indian and South Indian cuisine.
This restaurant on Zayed The First Street might not be the fanciest on this list, but rich flavors do not always have to come with a hefty price tag. Pani puri, idli sambar, dosa, masala tea, and other delicious Indian delicacies taste even better when served in a typical street food style.
Evergreen is also the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi for monthly meal subscriptions. For Dhs 420 you can opt for a one-time meal plan, and for Dhs 630 a month, you’ll get two meals every day.
An affordable and laid-back environment is what makes Evergreen a favorable spot for sudden dining plans or to get a quick breakfast fix before you head over to your office.
6. Il Forno, Khalidiyah Mall
Address: 302/1 Khalidiyah Mall, Mubarak Bin Mohammed St, Al Khalidiyah, W9, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 633 7730
Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi and all over the UAE are mostly fancy spots with elegant décor, luxury culinary delights, and impeccable customer service. What if we say that you can enjoy the same ambiance on a budget?
Il Forno is one of the best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi in Khalidiyah Mall where every dish tells stories of culinary craftsmanship, but also has a price tag that won’t burden your wallets. The first branch in UAE opened in Abu Dhabi, and since then Il Forno has maintained its name as home to Tuscan dishes, Italian pizzas and pasta.
The signature dishes with a hearty serving of cheese and sauces include Quattro Formaggi, Fettuccine Alfredo, Quattro Stagioni, and Filettini Di Polli among others that we are too distracted to mention at the moment. After all, all of these tempting dishes are available at discounted rates, so why not treat yourself to delectable Italian bites this weekend at Il Forno?
7. Burro Blanco
Address: First Zayed Road, next to ADNOC station, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 58 582 8776
Burro Blanco has multiple branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well. This Mexican street food restaurant serves delicious food with a special focus on fresh ingredients and high-quality recipes. And the taste and aroma of food seem even more tantalizing when we know what we’re paying for the burritos is totally worth it.
Burro Blanco is the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi for takeaway and delivery orders when your Mexican food cravings cannot wait another moment. Their fan favorite recipes include Avocado Fritas; crispy avocado fries with chipotle dip, El Jefe; with cilantro lime rice, black beans, grilled adobo chicken, and sour cream and white cheddar filling, and Taquitos rolls; with pulled beef and roast pumpkin or black bean mix served with salsa.
This branch of Burro Blanco in Abu Dhabi doesn’t have a dine-in option, but it is worth visiting while you’re near the First Zayed Road, to grab a fresh and hot burrito on the go.
8. Dampa Seafood Grill – Abu Dhabi
Address: Fatma Bint Mubarak Street, Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 622 0096
American and Asian fusion cuisine never looked so good – for our taste buds and our wallets as well. Dampa Seafood Grill on Fatma Bint Mubarak Street is where you catch the freshest seafood at a price that wouldn’t empty your pockets.
There aren’t many places we can list among the best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi to enjoy seafood, but Dampa Seafood Grill not only meets your expectations of budget-friendly food but surpasses it.
Go for the shrimp; sweet, succulent and buttery, or the crabs, mussels and squid, the serving size is great, and the flavors are even better. It is not a place where you go alone. Take your friends with you, and wear casual clothes – who knows how much sauce spills you will have to wash from your shirt after you finish devouring your seafood.
9. West to West Kitchen
Address: Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 671 9119
This is one of the best affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi serving Jamaican cuisine, which has an ambiance which speaks affordability and a menu that matches that of many high-end restaurants.
This family-run restaurant has been serving delicious food to the citizens since 2018 and hence maintained a reputation among the best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi for home-cooked style food items.
That being said, head over to West to West Kitchen if you want a taste of your favorite comfort food, including Chicken Stew Meal, Curry Goat with rice, or West African groundnut stew.
10. Khaana Mehfil Restaurant Abu Dhabi
Address: Al Fakhr St, Al Zahiyah, E13, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 445 8007
Khaana Mehfil Restaurant is a clean, contemporary and highly affordable Pakistani restaurant on Al Fakhr St. This place is the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi for your Desi food cravings.
So head over to Khaana Mehfil whenever you want Halwa Puri for breakfast, Seekh Kebab or Fish Tikka for a hearty lunch, and Mutton Paya or Beef Nihari for dinner with your family and friends. The affordability of these delicious foods doesn’t compromise the quality.
The dining space is as generous as the food served. Despite being a cozy spot, the tables and chairs are spaced properly so as not to give a cramped feeling to the overall place.
11. Punjab Flower Restaurant
Address: E10, Al Danah, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 676 8200
When we think of Punjabi cuisine, the rich spices and warm hospitality of the people of this land come to our mind. The Punjab Flower Restaurant in the Al Danah area also offers an ambiance where you stop worrying about everything for a second, and eagerly wait for your orders to arrive.
The food menu has tempting food options that will have you thinking for a second about what you came to order in the first place. Your heart will speak for the spicy and aromatic pulao, while your brain will ask you to go for the scrumptious snacks – fruit chaat, samosas, vegetable pakoras, etc. After all, in this budget-friendly package, where else will you find so many favorites under one roof?
The ambiance of the Punjab Flower Restaurant makes it the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi to take your family and kids when you need a trip down memory lane and eat the traditional food of South Asia.
12. Al Habasha Restaurant Abu Dhabi Branch
Address: F96P+7H3, Mohammed Bin Khalifa St, Al Nahyan, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 50 151 6261
This is another affordable Ethiopian restaurant in the city, this time at Mohammed Bin Khalifa Street. Al Habasha Restaurant is among the best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi to satisfy your appetite for unique spices and luxury food from East Africa.
With 20 years of experience serving delectable bites in UAE, and working from 7 prime locations, Al Habasha Restaurant makes sure that all Ethiopian secret and traditional recipes are incorporated into their menu.
This means that all Ethiopian classics, like Niter Kibbeh, Berbere, Injera, and others are available at Al Habasha, with a price tag as modest as the ambiance of the restaurant. The place has an inviting aura that attracts you to its comfortable environment even if you weren’t even planning to dine in. But don’t worry, this culinary heaven will not ruin your weekly budget plans.
13. Baik Al Madeena Restaurant
Address: 22nd St, Al Nahyan, Zone 1, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 626 2802
Baik Al Madeena is a budget-friendly culinary escape in the Al Nahyan area. The food is as satisfactory as the customer service, making it the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi for a convenient dining experience.
The restaurant has a good parking facility and a hygienic environment that you and your family would definitely love. Those who are here for a cup of hot chai and some delicious snacks to go with it can sit outdoors if they are in the mood for more casual dining.
Baik Al Madeena never misses a chance to celebrate a day with good food, which means there is Mutton Paya to celebrate Sundays, Chicken Haleem to celebrate Wednesdays, and Chicken Dum Biryani to make all days of the week special.
14. Hot Palayok Restaurant & Grill, Madinat Zayed
Address: Madinat Zayed Shopping Center, Level 2, Food Court, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 2 622 3338
Come to Hot Palayok Restaurant & Grill in Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre, to treat your taste buds to a variety of Filipino flavors. The buffet setup is a hearty display of delicious foods and beverages, so eat however much your heart wants – the bill won’t be a burden on your pocket.
Hot Palayok Restaurant & Grill is indeed the best affordable restaurant in Abu Dhabi where live cooking stations, pretty décor, and friendly smiles from the servers will lift your and your family’s spirits.
Your children can take happy photographs in front of the fairy lights, while you and your guests indulge in cheerful conversations that only accompany only the most delicious foods.
15. Abu Al Afwal
Address: F9VH+QV4, Al Zahiyah, E16, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Contact: +971 55 760 9992
Abu Al Afwal is another one of the best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi in the Tourist Club Area. This restaurant and cafeteria offer affordable meals, but that doesn’t mean that the taste falls short of the quality offered by many high-end restaurants.
If you want to try the best of what Abu Al Afwal restaurant has in its kitchen, go for the Falafel – you can get 4 pieces in just Dhs 2 – or the Foul Plate for Dhs 15. This means that on average, two guests can enjoy a generous meal for just Dhs 30.
This restaurant turns affordability into healthy and artistic dishes. There are plenty of vegetarian options to choose from, and many authentic Middle Eastern flavors dominate the menu, which means plenty of spices, cream, cheese, olive oil, nuts, and meat options under a budget-friendly price tag.
