Not all fine-dining restaurants have to cost an arm and a leg. Dubai’s newly updated list of Michelin-starred restaurants recommends 10 eateries where you can enjoy world-class food from an array of cuisines without worrying about exorbitant bills. So, the next time you want to go out for a celebratory meal or treat yourself to some fine dining without an exorbitant bill these are the affordable Michelin Guide restaurants to hit up.
1. Kinoya
Chef Neha Mishra’s intimate and homegrown supper club-turned-ramen-focused Japanese restaurant has been a hit since it first launched in 2021. It’s no surprise to see this warm and welcoming space in The Greens garner a Michelin Bib Gourmand for excellence across the board, including pricing.
What the Michelin Guide said:
“Five ramen dishes underpin the menu, which also lists other Japanese classics including sushi, sashimi, robata and tempura. Ingredients are good quality, cooking is careful, prices, low and flavours, delicious.”
🍽️What to order: The OG shio paitan ramen is a signature dish here that’s had over 6000 supper club diners fall head over heels in love with. Also make sure to try Izakaya dishes such as the gyoza, karaage (deep fried meats) and the onsen egg on rice with dashi.
Average price: Approximately AED 150 per person
📍The Onyx Tower 2 – Floor P2, The Greens Souk
2. Bait Maryam
The food at this Levantine restaurant exudes the warmth and generosity of portions associated with home-cooked meals in the region. And it’s exactly these elements that the Michelin Guide singles out Bait Marya’s JLT outpost for. Teacher-turend chef Salam Daqaq’s title of MENA’s best female chef is well deserved and then some – her food is a lesson in authentic Palestinian delicacies.
What the Michelin Guide says:
“Named after the owner’s mother, this passionately run ‘home’ offers a warm welcome and delicious, home-style Levantine dishes cooked with love. Sit in the cool, tranquil dining room or out on the glass-enclosed lakeside terrace. The lunch ‘dish of the day & soup’ is a steal – and dessert is a must.”
🍽️What to order: It’d be criminal to leave Bait Maryam without trying the signature fatet musakhan – shredded chicken cooked with caramelised onions and sumac. Mezze options here were made for sharing, so try a little bit of everything, from the hummus and yalanji (stuffed vine leaves) to moreish hindbeh (dandelion greens).
Average price: Approximately AED 110 per person
📍Cluster D , Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
3. Bombay Bungalow
This vibrant modern Indian eatery in JBR is a joyous Instagrammable space that recreates courtyards of palatial old Indian houses. However, it’s the menu here that’s the true calling card. Classic Indian dishes get funky cosmopolitan makeovers to make them more universally appealing. And the result? Folks from the Michelin Guide came knocking.
What the Michelin Guide said:
“This fun, modern Indian restaurant is open from breakfast onwards and is set right by the beach, so you can sit on the terrace and watch the world go by. Choose from street food, kebabs and classic curries: cooking is fresh, authentic and well-priced, and the caring service adds to the appeal.”
🍽️What to order: To the naysayers of modern Indian cuisine, we say speak to us after you’ve tried the Pav Bhaji fondue. The lemon grass prawn biryani is another scrumptious surprise of culinary fusion but if you’re on the prowl for more traditional food then the laal maas curry and set menu thaalis are a taste of India.
Average price: Approximately AED 135 per person
📍Unit 2301, The Beach Mall, in JBR Walk – Dubai
4. Reif Kushiyaki, multiple locations
Chef Reif Othman’s homegrown little Asian street food and contemporary Japanese restaurant has an ardent fanbase who’ve been singing praises of the top-notch value-for-money dishes here for years that’ve seen them expand internationally to Cairo. Now the Michelin Guide can be added to that list of cheerleaders.
What the Michelin Guide said:
“It’s kushiyaki-inspired but this friendly restaurant offers far more than just grilled skewered meats and vegetables. The menu also covers a wide range of well-priced snacks, sushi and ramen – and save room for one of their creative desserts. The omakase experience must be booked 5 days in advance.”
🍽️What to order: Of course, the Wagyu katsu sandwich drizzled with tonkatsu sauce that went viral on social media is a must. But so is the 18-hour-slwo-cooked ramen – one of the silkiest ever and the mesmerising marbel bun. Dig into the dessert section’s divine matcha basque cakes and tiramisu boba.
Average price: Approximately AED 220 per person
📍Various locations, Dar Wasl, Dubai Hills, Time Out Market
5. Ibn Al Bahr
With a location and dishes that are both picturesque, this beachfront restaurant has been making waves. Catch of the day option; authentic Lebanese seafood that is steamed, grilled or chargrilled to your liking, and a buzzy nautical ambiance hook diners in.
What the Michelin Guide says:
“This Lebanese seafood restaurant features fishing paraphernalia like ropes, anchors and even a boat – as well as a beautiful terrace with a great view of the beach. Head to the fresh fish counter to choose what you’d like to eat; simple yet delicious dishes let the ingredients speak for themselves.”
🍽️What to order: The shrimp bisque soup, fish tabbouleh – a Middle Eastern twist on ceviche, sayadiyeh and spiced fish majbous coupled with some marvellous hot mezze (kibbeh samak and shrimp fatteh) will keep your mouth busy and your bellies full for a substantial amount of time as you soak up the sunny vibes and knock back arak at this licensed joint.
Average price: Approximately from AED 170 per person
📍Club Vista Mare (Palm Jumeriah – Dubai
6. Aamara
Aamara comes from the stables of the team behind Michelin-stared Tresind Studio, Avatara, and Tresind, so expectations were high when this Silk Road-themed eatery launched earlier this year. Fair to say, they’ve lived met those expectations and then some with inventive fusion dishes that mix cooking methods, cuisines and spices as well as creative cocktails all of which have bowled over Michelin Guide inspectors.
What the Michelin Guide said:
“… covering everything from the Med to Eastern Asia – and it’s easy to see why it’s quickly become many people’s favourite hangout. Dishes are designed for sharing and must-haves include butterfly prawn with muhammara, and Aamara finger salad with lettuce cream.”
🍽️What to order: Scanning the a la carte here will leave you torn as its teeming with wonderfully odd-yet-perfect pairings – za’atar kebabs, barbecue beef taco in rotis, Chettinad crab cutlet katsu curry and too many more delights to squeeze in here. What does do the job of squeezing in the best of the best on a platter is their three-course lunch set menu which at a wallet-friendly AED 95 is a fine dining steal.
Average price: From AED 95 per person
📍VOCO Hotel, Level 2, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Trade Centre Area
7. 3Fils
Our two cents on this standalone Asian restaurant whose name stems from an Arabic equivalent for the phrase ‘two cents’ – it’s worth it. The Michelin Guide is of the same opinion having ranked this quaint outlet by the Jumeirah fishing harbour highly for its flavoursome food.
What the Michelin Guide said:
“This simple restaurant has an open kitchen, a pared-back interior and a laid-back vibe; grab a seat outside overlooking the Jumeirah Fishing Harbour. Their strapline is ‘making complex simple’ and the Asian small plates deliver fresh, vibrant flavours with a strong nod to Japan; 3-4 per person is about right.”
🍽️What to order: Small plates rule the compact menu here with carabinero udon, shrimp scallops kebab, an array of sashimis, macaron ice cream sandwiches and 0% mocktails. The menu conveniently splits up specials from the rest, but tucked away there are lamb ribs, freemantle octopus and burgers you’ll kick yourself for missing out on.
Average price: Approximately AED 150 per person
📍Shop 02, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour 1, Al Urouba Street, Dubai
8. Al Fanar
Of the many branches of this Emirati seafood cafe and restaurant that dot the UAE, it’s the outlet in the Al Seef area that’s caught the eye of the Michelin Guide. The faux heritage waterfront buildings hugging the shores of Dubai Creek set the mood and ambience to gorge on a menu that highlights traditional Emirati cuisine from the 1960s.
What the Michelin Guide said:
“The newest restaurant from the Al-Fanar stable is on the banks of the Dubai Creek and, like the others, showcases the owners’ passion for Emirati cuisine. Interior has a rustic feel, while, out on the terrace, diners can watch the fish stalls float by, underlining the freshness of the seafood on their plate.”
🍽️What to order: Al Fanar’s all-day breakfast is a tempting option with shakshooka and Emirati classic balalit. But stay strong and save your appetite for the belles of the ball – the seafood options. Fish kofta, fried shaari magli are belly busters but portion out your appetite for the quintessentially Emirati Jesheed – a dish of crumbled baby shark with rice and onions.
Average price: Approximately AED 120 per person
📍Al Seef St – Al Hamriya – Dubai
9. Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant
The Bib Gourmand list of 2023 is riddled with well-loved Emirati restaurants – a proud moment for local cuisine’s staying power. Bedouin-style Al Khyama Heritage Restaurant will puff up chests with pride and stomachs with glorious helpings of wholesome watani dishes surrounded by photographs from essential moments in Dubai’s history. This is the place you take your visiting friends and family when they harp on for “cultural experiences”.
What the Michelin Guide said:
“Part-restaurant, part-museum; dine under a tree in an air-conditioned covered courtyard served by welcoming staff dressed in traditional robes. Bread is freshly cooked within view and live music adds to the ambience. Rustic Emirati dishes are carefully prepared, well-presented and full of flavour.”
🍽️What to order: Grab every friend and friend’s friend you know to devour the Lamb madfoon – mains here are meant for communal eating and this lamb shoulder in rice will take a village but is oh so worth it. Besides, the tangy Zubaidi (Siler pomfret) cooked in tomato sauce, ferni rice pudding and luqaimat also deserve undivided attention.
Average price: Approximately AED 120 per person
📍Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Dubai
10. Al Mandaloun
Of all the restaurants mentioned here, this Lebanese restaurant is a hidden gem that truly flies under the radar. That it’s located in DIFC, is Michelin-rated AND STILL offers an affordable price point makes it a culinary unicorn.
What the Michelin Guide said:
“The traditionally styled main room spills out onto two terraces, providing plenty of space for the lunchtime hordes; those in a hurry should head to their takeaway next door. Menu offers an extensive array of Lebanese dishes, including a good selection of hot and cold mezze; fattoush is a must-order.”
🍽️What to order: Hummus topped with fig and walnuts are a treat, the shawarma stuffed in a small pita bread instead of a tight burrito-style roll is a revelation. This affordable Michelin Guide restaurant also serves a three-cheese sfiha (a flatbread pie) made of Akawi, Mozzarella and Feta cheeses topped with a fried egg.
Average price: Approximately AED 130 per person
📍DIFC Gate Precinct Building 3, Dubai