How Much Does a Nice Dinner Cost in Dubai? Real Prices, Tips & What to Expect

Key Points: The Real Cost of a Nice Dinner in Dubai

• Dubai’s dining scene covers everything from local shawarma stands for a few dirhams to fancy rooftop dinners costing hundreds of dollars per guest.
• On average, expect to pay between 200-500 AED (about $55-$135) per person at a mid-to-high-end Dubai restaurant for dinner, including drinks.
• Top-tier, iconic experiences like a dinner at Burj Al Arab or Atlantis can reach 1000+ AED ($270+) per person, especially with wine or gourmet tasting menus.
• Service charge and VAT (usually 10% and 5%, respectively) are regularly added to your bill; tips aren’t always expected, but 5-10% cash is appreciated.
• Book ahead for popular spots—Dubai’s best restaurants fill up fast, especially on weekends and during major events.

Direct Answer: What’s the Price Tag for a Nice Dinner in Dubai?

If you just want the quick answer—grabbing a nice dinner for two in Dubai typically lands you in the 400–1,000 AED range (around $110–$270), depending on the venue and what you order. Go for street food or casual places, and you can get by for 50–100 AED ($14–$28) per person. Hit up a fancy spot with views of the Burj Khalifa or an imported celebrity chef? Don’t be surprised if the bill hits 1,500 AED ($400+) for two, especially if you’re splurging on wine or tasting menus. Dubai’s food scene is as wild as its skyline—so there’s literally something for all budgets.

Breaking Down Dubai’s Dinner Scene: How Much, Where, and Why You’ll Love It

If you think of Dubai, food might not be your first thought. But here’s a wild fact—Dubai has more restaurants per capita than New York City. The city’s obsession with food is real, and it shows in everything from five-star buffets at luxurious hotels to bustling shawarma corners that feed locals and tourists 24/7.

There’s a reason people travel here just to eat: Dubai doesn’t play by the same culinary rules as anywhere else. One night you could be sitting by the fountains at the Dubai Mall, tucking into a perfectly cooked steak from a Michelin chef. The next, you’re in Deira eating fresh Iranian kebabs on plastic chairs—paying less than you’d spend on coffee back home.

The big question—what does it actually cost? That’s where things get interesting. For most visitors looking for an all-out, Insta-worthy dinner, expect to drop 250–500 AED each for two or three courses, drinks, and a buzzing atmosphere. If you add wine or signature cocktails (which aren’t cheap since alcohol is heavily taxed), your bill climbs fast—sometimes hitting the 1,000 AED mark or more if you go full throttle on bottles and desserts.

But it’s not all glitz and gold leaf. One of my favorite Dubai meals last year was a late-night mandi (a spiced rice and meat dish) at a Yemeni eatery for 40 AED. The catch? It was in the backstreets with zero views, plastic tablecloths, and the best food you’ll find at that price.

Here’s a table to size up your dinner options, whether you’re hunting budget bites or going luxe:

So, is it worth shelling out? That’s down to what you want out of your Dubai night. A dinner at Atmosphere on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa is pure money-can’t-buy bragging rights. Romantic? Absolutely, but it’ll cost you 1,000+ AED per person just for the chance to eat higher than Dubai’s helicopters fly. There are also hidden gems if you know where to look, like the Lebanese joints on Al Dhiyafah Road or beachside grills by Kite Beach where 150 AED gets you fresh seafood, a sunset, and an unbeatable vibe.

Tip: During Dubai Food Festival (usually in February/month of Ramadan), you can score set menus at luxury restaurants for a fraction of the regular price. The festival brings prix-fixe deals and unique pop-up concepts that are perfect if you want to sample a celeb chef’s dishes without maxing out your card.

Why Do Dinner Prices Vary So Much in Dubai? (And Is It Really That Expensive?)

The first thing to know: Dubai is a playground for every wallet size. The wild price swings? That’s just how the city rolls. A lot depends on where you eat, what time of year you visit, and your choice between dinner with a view or dinner at a humble but legendary spot.

Let’s talk neighborhoods. Dining downtown or in one of the city’s world-famous hotels is the real high-roller move. Think views of the Burj Khalifa, 20-foot-tall wine walls, and the occasional edible 24-karat gold leaf on your dessert. Here, even a simple cocktail can set you back 80 AED ($22)—don’t get me started on imported wine. This isn’t accidental; Dubai has steep import taxes on alcohol and prefers to present itself as a luxury destination.

Meanwhile, places like Karama, Satwa, or Deira—where most of Dubai’s working expats live—are home to hundreds of small Indian, Filipino, and Middle Eastern restaurants. You might pay under 50 AED for a three-course meal that’ll leave you just as stuffed, only with less glam and more flavor. Some of these little joints have food so good, they rival anything you’ll get in a hotel skyscraper.

Pro tip: The best value? Go for Friday brunch (basically Dubai’s version of a weekend feast, often bottomless food and drinks over 3–5 hours). Prices range from 250 AED for casual hotel spreads to 700+ AED in five-star palaces, and it often includes unlimited drinks—a pretty sweet deal compared to dinner pricing.

Want to save even more? Chain restaurants at malls (Think: PF Chang’s, Cheesecake Factory, Vapiano) usually offer set menus for 90–150 AED, especially during lunch deals. And you’ll spot lots of expats taking advantage—they know the city’s food hacks better than anyone.

Now, for the stuff nobody tells you: some high-end restaurants sneak in ‘service charge’ or a ‘tourism fee’ on top of your bill, sometimes as much as 20%. It’s in the fine print, so pay attention before scanning your card.

Dubai’s love of tech means you can also order food from almost any restaurant in the city via apps like Zomato, Talabat, or Careem. Fancy something from Nobu but want to eat in your PJs? No problem, but expect a delivery surcharge for high-end places.

As for reservations, get those locked in early for anywhere famous or with a view. Last-minute walk-ins usually find tables, but you’ll risk missing out on experiences like dinner at Buddha-Bar, Pierchic, or Ossiano (the Atlantis aquarium restaurant—where you eat next to sharks and rays, no joke).

Don’t forget: Dubai’s cosmopolitan crowd means even ‘local’ food can be a wild adventure. Ever tried camel burger or Iranian chelo kebab? This is the place. Head to Global Village in winter for street food from 70 countries, and expect small portions at 10–20 AED a pop. Eat your way around the world and spend less than you would at Starbucks.

What Makes Dubai’s Dinner Scene Special—And How Can You Have a Great Time Without Breaking the Bank?

Let’s be real: dinner in Dubai can be outrageously fancy—but it can also be straight-up playful, colorful, and full of surprises. There’s something thrilling about walking into a restaurant inside a former palace or eating seafood as you watch the world’s biggest water show do its thing in the background.

But you don’t need a black card to have an epic experience. Here’s how you can enjoy Dubai’s dinner scene on any budget:

• Book in advance—especially for places inside hotels, with famous chefs, or crazy views. Reservations fill up months ahead at hotspots like Zuma, Il Borro, or Coya.
• Browse online menus. Glasshouse Restaurant, for example, lists dinner set menus online, so no surprises when the bill comes. It’s smart to check before choosing your spot—especially if you want drinks or desserts.
• Eat early (6–7 PM). Many high-end places offer early bird pricing, and you’ll get the view before crowds show up.
• Hunt for discounts. Entertainer app, Zomato Pro, and Groupon UAE offer legit ‘buy one get one free’ deals and discount codes, even at premier places.
• Try hotel restaurants during Ramadan or food festivals. Most run limited-edition menus at heavily discounted prices for iftar (evening breaking of fast meal) and Eid feasts.
• Don’t sleep on mall food courts. Unlike elsewhere, food courts in Dubai’s malls have serious global eats—think Egyptian stuffed pigeons or Indonesian fried duck—at wallet-friendly rates.
• Hit up casual beach clubs. For 120–200 AED, you get sunset, sand, and a hearty dinner at places like Cove Beach or The Beach Bar and Grill.

Dubai has plenty for special diets, too. Halal is a given, and nearly every menu has vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free picks, since the city’s population is from everywhere and eats everything.

Here’s a bonus: UAE law bans smoking inside dining areas (except for private rooms), so you rarely have to worry about cigarette smoke ruining your meal. The city is genuinely clean, modern, and safe for eating out at any hour—male or female, solo or in groups.

If you’re after that true Dubai moment—dinner on a rooftop watching the city light up, or on a candlelit beach—be ready to pay for the setting as much as the food. But for a chill, food-focused night, look for small, locally-loved places on side streets off Sheikh Zayed Road or Al Karama. Chat with your server or the chef—they’ll often suggest their off-menu specialties or share how the dish is made. That’s how you find the real gold!

If you’re not sure what style of meal fits your vibe, check the table below for a quick ‘Dubai Dinner Showdown’—high-end vs. casual:

So, what’s your move? Whether you’re there to splurge or save, Dubai’s food scene will make it memorable—at every price point. And who knows? That surprise hole-in-the-wall might just beat the Michelin star, at a quarter of the price. Happy eating!