5 of the best affordable restaurants in Dubai to try today

Benjarong – Dusit Thani Dubai is one of the best spots in Dubai for classic Thai cooking. Step into a vibrant dining space in bright shades of red and blue with large hand-woven lanterns illuminating the wooden tables and plush, velvet seating. The Thai business lunch for AED 99 (two courses) or AED 109 (three courses) per person is the perfect way to enjoy the kitchen’s best dishes. And for an additional AED 25, you can indulge in unlimited Thai iced tea. Try the chef’s signature khao soi an egg noodle dish with massam gravy, coconut milk and your choice of protein. Alternatively, try a classic green curry with Thai eggplant and chicken, prawn or vegetables and tofu. And, of course, you can’t go wrong with a traditional pad Thai.

Take advantage of the international buffet at Kitchen6 in Business Bay. Head to one of the six interactive cooking stations and watch the chefs expertly handle the woks, grills and ovens. Lunch and dinner bookings cost AED 145 to AED 230 per person depending on the time and day of the week. With such a wide range of dishes, everyone is bound to find something they love whether it’s fluffy European breads or juicy grilled kebabs. Some evenings focus on a particular cuisine such as Indian night every Wednesday which offers dishes from all over India and Ocean Catch night every Thursday, featuring only the freshest seafood. On Saturdays, book the Weekend Krunch from 1 pm to 4 pm on OpenTable and enjoy a range of Mediterranean dishes, Asian favourites and more.

MICHELIN-recognised fine dining doesn’t have to break the bank. At Revelry diners can experience Bib Gourmand-awarded Indian fine dining with starters from just AED 17. Plus, the business lunch set menu includes a starter, two main courses shared between the table, a side and a dessert for AED 99. Start with the jackfruit momo (dumpling) served in a tomato xo sauce or a chicken tikka dim sum with smoked tomato chutney. For your main try the rich butter masala pasta or dig into the aromatic beef pepper fry with curry leaf xo. Pair your meal with a signature cocktail inspired by the seasons of India like the daulat ki chaat with almond and saffron milk, whiskey and amaretto or the trna-badaram ame with a strawberry and hibiscus cordial, tequila and tonic. The bar has a range of spirits available and often lets diners choose their favourite for each cocktail.

FireLake Grill House at Radisson Dubai DAMAC Hills brings the scents and flavours of a Midwest grill house to Dubai’s DAMAC Hills. The sleek, contemporary dining space will make diners feel right at home, sitting under hanging lights and high ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows offering lovely views of the city outside. Book the business lunch on OpenTable and enjoy a two-course meal for AED 85 from 12 pm to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Start with some juicy buttermilk fried chicken before moving on to beef short rib with burnt leek aioli. The kitchen makes use of a charcoal grill, a wood-fire oven and open-flame cooking to bring diners unforgettable flame-kissed flavours. The kitchen closes at 10 pm but the bar stays open until 12 am during the week and 1 am Friday to Saturday, so diners can linger over some affordable hand-crafted cocktails.

Neon lights, hanging parasols and a spacious dining room give 24th St. World Street Food – Dusit Thani Dubai a fun, relaxed, street-market feel. This food hall features six different kitchens serving up bold flavours from across Asia, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It’s the perfect spot for the friend group who just can’t agree on whether to get Italian or Korean. Plus, it all comes with great views of the Burj Khalifa. For your first stop grab some fresh sushi served tsukiji market-style before enjoying a bowl of fried chicken shawarma or Sichuan kung fu kung pao. For some indulgent carbs order the chow mein noodles or check out the pizza options toppings including classic margarita and tandoori chicken. Exit with something sweet like the matcha heaven green tea mousse cake or some Thai coconut ice cream. For great value, book the Saturday all-you-can-eat buffet brunch for AED 269 and indulge in all your favourite flavours. With games and activities for kids, this bustling hotspot is a great pick for the whole family.