Dubai Food Costs 2025: How Much Do Meals, Groceries, and Dining Out Really Cost?

If you’re planning a trip or a move to Dubai, the first thing on your mind is probably the price of food. Is a bite cheap or pricey? The answer depends on where you eat, what you buy, and how you shop. Below you’ll get a clear picture of everyday food costs, from cheap street snacks to upscale restaurants, plus smart ways to stretch every dirham.

Everyday Meals: What You’ll Pay for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

For a simple breakfast—think coffee, a croissant, or a traditional balaleet—expect to spend between 15 AED and 30 AED at a local café. If you prefer a hotel buffet, the bill jumps to 80 AED‑120 AED per person.

Lunch options are very diverse. A fast‑food combo from a global chain costs roughly 25 AED‑35 AED. Mid‑range restaurants serving Emirati or Indian dishes charge 40 AED‑70 AED for a main course and a soft drink. A three‑course meal at a mid‑level restaurant will be around 120 AED‑180 AED.

Dinner is where the price can vary the most. Street‑food stalls—shawarma, falafel, grilled corn—still stay under 30 AED per plate. Trendy spots in Marina or Downtown charge 80 AED‑150 AED for a steak or seafood entrée. High‑end venues, especially those with a view of the Burj Khalifa, often start at 250 AED and can exceed 500 AED for a tasting menu.

Groceries: Buying Food to Cook at Home

If you’re staying longer, cooking can save a lot. A litre of milk is about 5 AED, a dozen eggs around 6 AED, and a kilogram of chicken breasts 15 AED‑20 AED. Fresh produce varies: tomatoes cost 4 AED‑6 AED per kilogram, while exotic fruits like strawberries may be 20 AED‑30 AED per kilogram.

Supermarkets such as Carrefour, Spinneys, and Lulu have similar price ranges, but discount stores like Al Maya offer lower rates on basics. Buying in bulk, especially rice, pasta, and canned goods, reduces the per‑unit cost dramatically.

For a weekly grocery list that covers three meals a day for one person, budget roughly 200 AED‑300 AED. Adjust up if you prefer premium brands or organic items.

Now that you know the numbers, here are three quick tips to keep food costs down:

• Eat where locals eat. Avoid tourist‑centric zones for lunch; side streets have great food at half the price.
• Shop at local markets. The Ripe Market and fresh‑produce stalls offer cheaper fruits and veggies than malls.
• Use food‑delivery promos. Apps like Deliveroo and Talabat run daily discounts that can shave 10 AED‑20 AED off a meal.

Overall, Dubai’s food scene is as varied as its skyline. You can survive on a tight budget by sticking to street food and home cooking, or you can splurge on world‑class dining whenever you feel like it. Knowing the typical price ranges helps you plan a realistic budget and enjoy the city’s flavors without surprise bills.