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Time Out Dubai
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
These are 10 of the best local dishes to try in Karama
No doubt that Dubai is a foodie haven. From poolside spots to brasseries to fancy schmancy dining, there's something to match every mood and craving. But if you want to explore the off-beaten path, discover new cultures and try new dishes, then it's time to head to Karama, the curry corridor of Dubai. One of the best things about wandering its streets? You could have breakfast, lunch and dinner and only have spent Dhs60 by the end of the day. You might also like: The 10 best budget restaurants to try tonight in Dubai Don't know what to order? We've rounded up ten must-try dishes from different cuisines that make Al Karama a food lover's paradise. 10 flavourful dishes to try in Karama Lamb chops at Eric's Price: Dhs30 Cuisine: Goan (Indian) The lamb chops, tandoor-grilled to perfection, are crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. It's served with this unassuming banger of a mint chutney. We're not exactly sure which is better, the meat or the creamy and fresh chutney. Eric's is a cosy little Goan spot that brings all the laid-back charm of Goa right here. You'll see its Portuguese roots shining through the yellow walls, warm wooden interiors and the pretty bougainvilleas blooming around the place. Open daily from 11am-3.30pm, 6.30pm-11.45pm. Sheikh Hamdan Colony, Karama, (04 396 4447) Appam and tangy mango curry at Calicut Paragon Price: Appam, Dhs2.25, curry, price varies based on your choice of meat Cuisine: Kerala (Indian) Appam is a flat, lacy pancake made from rice flour sourdough, and when it's freshly served on your plate, like it's done at Paragon, it will melt in your mouth. Order a tangy mango curry with Kingfish or prawns to accompany the appam, and you're sorted. It also happens to be the favourite budget dish of Akmal Anuar, the founder of Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori and Osteria Funkcoolio. Located right in the heart of Dubai's 'Curry Corridor' of Satwa, Karama and Bur Dubai, Calicut Paragon is a legendary Kerala restaurant that offers Malabari dishes in a homely setting. Open daily, 7am-midnight. Karama, (04 335 8700). If you like this: 10 best Indian restaurants in Dubai to book right now Grilled shrimps at Sallet Al Sayed Price: Dhs175/kg Cuisine: Middle Eastern Sometimes, simple really is best – and nowhere does that hit home more than with the grilled shrimp here. It's served with a fresh tomato salad, hummus and breads. Smoky, spicy (but not in a burn-your-mouth way, just packed with flavour), this is the kind of dish you'll find yourself craving again and again. Stephen Flawith, founder of Pickl, even called it the best grilled shrimp in the UAE. We get the hype. This laid-back Middle Eastern seafood joint keeps things fuss-free, serving up super fresh fish in the tastiest way possible. There's loads of fish on the menu from sherri to koffer, red snapper, sea bass, salmon, sardines and more. Open daily, noon-midnight. Al Shafar building, Karama, (04 335 5722). Beyaynetu at Zagol Price: Dhs50 Cuisine: Ethiopian Beyaynetu is a vegetarian lentil-based platter featuring injera – a sourdough flatbread – served with an assortment of vegetarian and meat curries. It's simple, but the variety of rich flavours on it is palate-awakening, according to Kelvin Cheung, chef and partner at Jun's. Zagol takes up a humble space in Karama, all done up with straw tables and colourful Ethiopian paintings, it's got charm for days. And when you swing by (which you absolutely should), don't leave without trying the Ethiopian coffee. Trust us on this one. Open daily, 10am-11.30pm. Mabrooka 1 Building, Al Karama (050 323 1822). Nasi padang with ayam baker at Daoper Kita Price: Dhs40 Cuisine: Indonesian Order the Nasi Padang Rendang and replace the rendang with Ayam Bakar, aka grilled chicken, to reduce the eye-watering level of spice (thank us later). This chicken and rice meal comes with a side of sayur lemak (a coconut-milk-based vegetable curry) and egg sambal, which are just *chef's kiss*. Dapoer Kita is an authentic Indonesian restaurant with a menu that features flavorful dishes that keep diners coming back again and again. From delicious chicken satay to nasi goreng and the comforting soto ayam. There's a daily buffet, fantastic service and a comfy space to enjoy the authentic cuisine. Open daily 11am-10.30pm. Sheikh Mohammad Building, Al Karama, (050 453 9991). Read more: 10 delicious restaurants in Al Karama worth visiting Thali at Khandani Rajdhani Price: Dhs53 Cuisine: Rajasthani (Indian) Rajasthani thalis are loved across India for two big reasons: first, every single dish on your plate is freshly made and served steaming; second, the staff will absolutely spoil you with endless servings. And over fifteen minutes, you'll be served with over 27 curries and sabzis and pickles and a range of warm rotis and rice. If comfort on a cold night could take the form of a meal, this would be it. Rajdhani only does one dish – the thali, but that's more than enough to travel to India and be back. Open daily, noon-3.30pm, 7pm-11pm. Al Khafajy Building, Al Karama, @rajdhanimiddleeast (04 334 7977). Idli sambar at Sri Balaji Bhavan Price: Dhs15 Cuisine: Tamil (Indian) Idli is a steamed bun made from rice flour sourdough that is best enjoyed with a steaming bowl of coriander-laced lentil and vegetable curry (aka sambar). Order the idli-vada set along with a filter coffee, and you're all set. At Balaji Bhavan, the idli is soft-as-clouds and the chutneys are freshly made. Having this for breakfast will be the best thing you can do that day. Plus, it's vegan and gluten-free (the kind that doesn't taste like cardboard). Open daily. 7am-midnight. Karama park. (054 294 9897) Kottu mix at Ceylonian Restaurant Price: Dhs26 Cuisine: Sri Lankan Kottu mix is a mish-mash of slivered parathas or hoppers tossed in a wok with onions, capsicum, coriander and meats of your choice. Think of a Sri Lankan version of fried rice. It's spicy, sticky and simply perfect for a quick and filling meal. Ceylonian Restaurant offers Sri Lankan delicacies in a nice spot in Karama, walkable from the ADCB metro station. If you're asking for the most authentic sri lankan dish, we'd recommend the the hoppers and beef stew. Open daily, 11am-11pm. Wasl Hub Block 2, Karama, @ (04 339 3010) Chole bhature at Delhi Highway Restaurant Dubai Price: Dhs26 Cuisine: Delhi (Indian) If Delhi (India's capital city) had a national dish, it would probably be chole bhature. We won't go as far as to compare this version to the legendary bhatures served in crammed gullies of purani Delhi, but this one definitely deserves a shout. This restaurant in Al Karama offers a real taste of the Mughlai charm, with Persian-inspired interiors that set the mood for family-friendly fun. The dishes are as lavish in presentation as they are in flavour. With avocados, broccoli pestos, tandoori tacos, mint pesto and more, the menu is elevated. So don't expect anything basic here. Even the chat is served on a beautiful platter. Open daily, noon-1am. Al Karama. @atdelhihighway_dubai (04 220 8844) Palada ice cream at Cintafresh Price: Dhs26 Cuisine: Kerala (Indian) Papa Scoop is an ice cream flavoured by a popular Kerala dessert, palada payasam. Palada payasam is Kerala's answer to kheer (rice pudding). The rice, milk and sugar are slow-cooked together until the milk thickens and turns slightly pinkish, giving the payasam a rich and creamy texture with a delicate caramel-like flavour. Cintafresh specialises in different kinds of palada-flavoured dishes: chilled palada shake, ice cream and the actual thing. Open Sun-Thu 11.30am-midnight, Fri 10.30am-1pm, 2pm-2am, Sat 11.30am-2am. BK10 building, Karama, (04 422 9976) You might also like 10 delicious restaurants in Al Karama worth visiting We've got the lowdown Your complete guide to Al Karama from rent to restaurants The gems you need to know Parking fees have now doubled in Al Karama And three other neighbourhoods are also affected
Time Out Dubai
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Budget restaurant meals under Dhs50 in Dubai
As much as we love indulging in lavish meals, sometimes our wallets just can't keep up with our cravings. Fortunately, the food scene in Dubai is diverse and filled with delicious options that won't (always) break the bank. From street food hearty mains, there are plenty of budget-friendly meals that make us (and you) very happy. You might also like: The 10 best budget restaurants to try tonight in Dubai We've scoured the city to bring you seven of our favourite dishes or meals priced at or under Dhs50, that deliver on taste, quality and portion size. So, if you're looking to save some money without sacrificing flavour, this handy guide is just right for you. 7 budget meals in Dubai Café Isan Designed to exude a Thai street stall vibe, Café Isan is a charming space of mismatched furniture, exposed lighting, a cut terrace and stacked crates that line the interior. In keeping with its fun setting, the food is fantastic and while it may be a cliché, the dishes really do melt in your mouth. Prices are reasonable too but, given its reputation, the place gets full fast so prepare to wait if you haven't made a booking. With all the starters well under Dhs50, the chicken wings Dhs40, grilled satay Dhs37 and laab cakes Dhs40 are our personal favourites. We will also almost always order the massaman curry for Dhs43 and the Pad Thai priced at Dhs49. Can you tell just how much we love Café Isan? Open Sun-Thu noon-midnight, Fri-Sat noon-2am. Armada Avenue Hotel, Cluster P, JLT , (058 5291003). Read the full Café Isan review here Calicut Paragon Credit: Calicut Paragon If authentic Keralan cooking, packed full of flavour and spice, is what you're searching for, Calicut Paragon is for you. An excellent Indian restaurant specialising in Southern Indian cuisine, this has been one of the best budget restaurants in Dubai for many years. Dishes are all under Dhs50, meaning you can tuck into a portion of the famous chicken biryani for as little as Dhs19, or tangy curries for Dhs42. Open daily 7am-midnight. Al Nahda, @calicutparagon (04 251 2545). Dampa Seafood Grill A bustling hub down in Deira serving up – yep, you guessed it – plenty of fresh seafood, Dampa Seafood Grill is inspired by the Philippine tradition of gathering around a table full of food to be eaten with bare hands. Leave your best shirt at home and prepare to dig into mounds of all manner of catch. Order almost any seafood item from the Dampa menu for under Dhs50 and it comes with unlimited white rice. Get your hands on the cajun shrimp for Dhs40 or the chipotle grilled crab for Dhs38. That and so much more. Open daily noon-11.30pm. Baniyas Rd, Port Saeed, Deira (04 299 0884). Read the full Dampa Seafood Grill review Dhaba Lane Credit: Dhaba Lane A budget, Indian street food-style eatery in JLT, Dhaba Lane has been delighting savvy diners with its moreish curries since 2017. Serving traditional dishes from Punjab to Delhi, Calcutta and beyond, there are plenty of regional flavours to try here. A full non-vegetable Thali will only set you back Dhs45, and an Old Dehli butter chicken curry is only Dhs40. Add on a garlic naan for Dhs8 and you're laughing. Open daily noon-11.30pm. Indigo Tower, Cluster D, JLT, (054 999 4251). Mama'esh Affordable eats in Dubai don't come much better than what you get at Mama'esh. The homemade concept delivers traditional Palestinian manakish flatbreads made from only organic flour using a wood-fired stone oven, there are a number of branches throughout the city, but our favourite has to be the one down in Al Manara thanks to its perfect blend of cute and cool interiors plus indoor and outdoor seating. With prices averaging between Dhs9 to Dhs18 per manakish or Dhs15 to Dhs29 for fatayer, you could fill up here every day of the week. Open Sat-Thu 7am-5pm, Fri 7am-1.15pm, 1.45pm-5pm. Al Manara, Wasl Road (600 548287). Read the full Mama'esh review here San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles Sometimes restaurants just hit different. San Wan Hand Pulled Noodles, which opened in JLT at the start of 2023, is one of those places. And it's almost entirely down to the food. San Wan isn't one of those extravagant, cavernous places with jaw-dropping city views or wildly photogenic interiors. This is a small, corner unit in one of Dubai's most diverse, affordable neighbourhoods for food, and inside you'll find great value, authentic Shaanxi cuisine from the North China province. You can enjoy steaming bowls of hand-pulled noodles from Dhs41 and up to Dhs49, while appetisers start from Dhs15 and will run up to Dhs35. We absolutely love this banging budget spot. Open daily noon-10.30pm. Cluster F, JLT @ (050 759 9584). The Little Bali Reasonably-priced food is hard to come by, so The Little Bali deserves all the praise it gets. A favourite of celebrity chef Reif Othman, it's a perfect pre-pay day spot that won't have you compromising on quality, whether you opt for a blow-the-roof-off-your-mouth beef rendang or a more subtle green curry. The mee goreng aceh is delicious and priced at just Dhs40, while the ikan goreng at Dhs45 is a perfect seafood option. Open daily noon-10pm. Cluster U, JLT, (04 554 8575). Read the full The Little Bali review here Hungry for more? The new Dubai restaurants you need to try in 2025 New year, new restaurants to check out Outdoor breakfast spots: 30 amazing places to start your day in Dubai Start your day with fantastic food outdoors (while you can) The best Chips Oman dishes in Dubai (and where to find them) Chips Oman ice cream anyone?
