14 Best Affordable Restaurants in Abu Dhabi 2025

We are in total agreement when someone says, “The food is expensive in Abu Dhabi.” 

The solution: affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi! 

Whether you’re planning a day out as a local or are looking for restaurants to eat at during your trip to Abu Dhabi, we’ve got your back (and tummy)! 

This blog shares a handpicked list of the best affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi. Let’s help you save some without compromising.  

And if you’re traveling to Abu Dhabi and are just working on your research without having actually booked your tickets, get your travel package from the leading travel agency, Next Holidays! 

Now, read this blog to figure out your upcoming restaurant visits.  

Nusr-Et Steakhouse is a popular restaurant renowned for its Turkish cuisine, as well as its distinctive service style, led by owner Nusret Gokce. The eatery’s menu features various dishes centered on meat, such as lamb dishes, burgers, meatballs, succulent fillets and steaks, and beef ribs. Enjoy your meal at one of the best affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi with a view. We highly recommend the special lunch. 

Recommended: Most Instagrammable Cafes in Abu Dhabi 

The name of the restaurant might have already given it away - Cipriani Dolci is an Italian place. As a matter of fact, it is one of the most popular affordable Italian restaurants in Abu Dhabi. While the exclusive selection of Cipriani classics can make it quite luxurious, there are some affordable dishes as well. Based on your budget, try out some of the most delicious items, like vanilla meringue cake, tiramisu, lemon tart, and whipped ice cream. It is the scent of a true Italian cafe.  

If you’re looking for the best affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi that offer amazing views of the coast, the Beach House Abu Dhabi in Saadiyat Island is the place for you. Indulge in delicacies like risotto, pasta, antipasti, and seafood. What’s even better is that the restaurant offers a special menu for kids, making it perfect for people visiting with families. Enjoy Mediterranean and Italian specialties with a live DJ and cool beach vibes.  

Budget Dish: Kheshkash 

Serving delicious meals since 1975, Al Sultan Restaurant & Grill is all you need to visit to experience the goodness of the Middle East. While there are several restaurants with this name, in Abu Dhabi, we’re specifically talking about the one located in the Al Danah area. And when you actually start eating? OMG! Grilled meat? DELICIOUS! It’s all about wooden tables, scrumptious meals, and historic vibes. Visit one of the most unique and best budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi with your partner now! 

Looking for Indian food, Gujarati in particular? Check out the Best Gujarati Restaurants in Abu Dhabi here.  

Budget Dish: Fried Chicken Wings 

Looking for budget restaurants in Abu Dhabi right now to go with your partner? What do you think about American food? Because we have Denny's Diner Middle East on our minds! The diner offers all-day breakfast (they know how much everyone loves that), lunch, and dinner, as well as late-night deals every single day! Be it a milkshake or a valuable meal, the staff at Denny’s Diner is always ready to serve you! Visit one of the best affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi now! 

Budget Dish: Mushroom Cheung Fun 

Have you heard of the famous food deal where customers get unlimited servings of 12 kinds of steamed dim sum, noodles, and rice at a fixed price? Well, if you haven’t already heard, it’s the iconic Shang Palace, the traditional Chinese restaurant located in the Shangri-La Hotel. The ambiance is perfect for a meal with your partner. In fact, it is honestly among the best cheap buffet restaurants in Abu Dhabi. 

You are craving Italian food, so you’re now in search of the best affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi that serve Italian cuisine. If that’s the case, we might have something in store for you: Villa Toscana, which not only delights its customers with delicious dishes but also offers fine dining. Yes, there are affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi that offer fine dining. So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy unique dishes, such as Milanese-style cheese stracciatella and veal rolls filled with porcini mushrooms. And if you don’t have the time, you can even consider a pizza-to-go! 

Celebrating a birthday? Villa Toscana is also one of the best places to throw a birthday party. You can check out more Unique Places for Birthday Celebrations in Abu Dhabi here.  

Yes, it may not be entirely on the affordable end of the spectrum, but La Petite Maison is worth every penny! Among the top restaurants in Abu Dhabi, LPM has gained a reputation among tourists and locals alike. Enjoy a French Riviera-inspired cuisine, which features Mediterranean flavors. Popular dishes include lamb cutlets with eggplant caviar and olive and warm prawns with lemon juice and olive. The beautiful waterfront terrace further adds to its charm, making it one of the best restaurants in the city.  

Want to try more eateries that specialize in French cuisine? Here are some of the Best French Restaurants in Abu Dhabi. 

Budget Dish: Vegetariana Pizza 

Unlike high-end restaurants serving expensive meals, Paradiso is a stunning fine-dining restaurant that serves the best flavors around Abu Dhabi. Renowned for its collaboration with Nicole Rubi and famous French Chef Pierre Gagnaire, the restaurant has a menu that combines a selection of Mediterranean and Italian dishes. If you’re free on a Sunday, we recommend going for Sunday brunch.  

AED 440 for two | +971 50 437 2869 | Paradiso, The Pier, Yas Bay Waterfront - Yas Island - YS2 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates 

Some of these places to eat are also near the Best Museums in Abu Dhabi, so you can enjoy a good meal and visit a museum on the same day.

Budget Dish: Tempura Prawn 

We’ve covered French, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Chinese… but what about the Japanese best affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi? Here’s where OTORO comes into the picture. Get a fine dining experience in an exquisite, minimalist setting. And if you like, you can even sit outdoors, where you can have a meal while watching the views of the Al Qana area. Also, have you heard of 3 Fils? That concept was discovered by Chef Akmal Anuar, who opened this restaurant. So, enjoy the live kitchen and high-quality flavors at this renowned restaurant in Abu Dhabi.  

Cheap buffet restaurants in Abu Dhabi that also offer outdoor seating space—Kamoon is the perfect spot, especially for really cheap eats in Abu Dhabi. The individual items are priced quite low, making it a great, budget-friendly restaurant. Delight yourself in authentic Middle Eastern cuisine and high-quality meals, served by polite staff. The best part? There will always be music! So, are you planning to visit here?  

Budget Dish: Buffalo Wings 

What do you think about enjoying the famous Yas Marina nightlife? Yes, it can be expensive, but we are talking about the best affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi, and Yas Marina is no exception. Stars N Bars, an American-themed restaurant and bar, offers various entertainment options like dancing, live music, pool tables, arcade games, etc.  

And if you’re a sports fan, 76 HDTVs are going to make your night even crazier. The place even has a terrace that offers views of the marina. Enough about the ambiance; BBQ and Tex-Mex cuisine are famous here. Don’t forget to try special drinks and cocktails. What more could someone possibly ask for from a budget-friendly restaurants? 

Now that we have talked all about budget restaurants with a view, with outdoor seating, and ideal for couples, let’s finally get to the must-visit gem among Abu Dhabi's budget dining spots. Well, it’s Dampa Seafood Grill, a Filipino seafood eatery tucked away in the Al Danah neighborhood. The staff, the decor, the food—everything is highly commendable. The place is popular for its sweetcorn cobs, clams, mussels, crab, grilled shrimp, and much more. So, get ready to visit the best-hidden gem of a restaurant in the city.  

Suggested: South Indian Restaurants in Abu Dhabi   

One of the best affordable restaurants in Abu Dhabi, Bait El Khetyar, serves the most delicious Lebanese food in the city. Especially when we’re talking about shawarma. Ready to take breakfast, lunch, dinner, and takeaway orders, the restaurant serves the most budget-friendly dishes. As a matter of fact, Abu Dhabi's ultimate hidden gem is neighbors with shops selling spare car parts. So technically, you could never tell if this is a good restaurant if we weren’t here to share this. On a side note, the restaurant’s name means House of Wisdom, and wisdom is clearly what led them to prepare such amazing recipes.  

Looking for more budget options? Here are some options for the Best Street Food in Abu Dhabi. 

Before you pick any of these places to dine (or any other place, for that matter), we would like to share some tips on budget-friendly dining. While it is important to look for budget-friendly restaurants, it is also possible that when you visit Abu Dhabi, you’re charmed by an expensive eatery that you cannot stop yourself from visiting. So, it’s all about how you plan your visit to the restaurant.