Original Data · 2026

Dubai Dining Price Index 2026

What does it actually cost to eat out in Dubai? We aggregated the per-person spend we recorded across 815 first-hand restaurant reviews — real bills for two people sharing the must-order dishes, not menu guesses.

Fredrik Filipsson ·Published June 26, 2026 ·Updated July 3, 2026 ·6 min read ·Reviewed by Morten Andersen

0
Venues With Recorded Per-Person Spend
AED 0
Median Spend Per Person
AED 0
Average Spend Per Person
AED 27–1850
Full Range, Cheapest to Priciest
How we built this. Every figure comes from a review our editors published after visiting and paying for the meal themselves. "Per person" is the spend for two people sharing the dishes we recommend, including soft drinks, excluding alcohol and tips. Figures are medians (less skewed by outliers than averages). Dataset last updated 26 June 2026.

The Distribution

What Dubai diners actually spend

Half of all venues we reviewed land between AED 100 and AED 500 per person. The "Dubai is expensive" reputation is driven by a visible top end — only 2% of venues cross AED 900pp — while the largest single band sits at AED 250–500.

Budget band (per person)VenuesShareDistribution
Under AED 100648%
AED 100–25023329%
AED 250–50027333%
AED 500–90022828%
AED 900+172%

By Cuisine

Median price by cuisine

Steakhouses are the most expensive category we track; South Asian and Levantine kitchens are the best value at the quality level we review.

CuisineMedian ppVenues
SteakhouseAED 62536
JapaneseAED 46140
SeafoodAED 42523
ItalianAED 40033
ChineseAED 35029
LebaneseAED 25025
IndianAED 23634

Price vs. Rating

Does a higher rating cost more?

Somewhat — but not as much as you'd expect. Our highest-scoring venues cost more per head, yet plenty of high-rated restaurants sit in the mid-range, which is exactly where the best value lives.

Editorial ratingMedian ppVenues rated
9.0 and aboveAED 55061
8.0 – 8.9AED 42534

Worked Example · From the Dataset

How one bill becomes a data point: 3 Fils

Every venue in the index is recorded the same way — the must-order dishes for two people sharing, and the per-person spend that results. Here is a top-rated entry, exactly as our review logged it:

  • ⭐ Our Rating: 9.4 / 10
  • 🏆 MENA's 50 Best (top 25)
  • 💰 AED 350-600pp
  • 📍 Jumeirah Fishing Harbour
  • 🕐 Dinner 6–11:30pm
  • 📅 Book 1–2 weeks
  • 🍽️ Asian fusion
  • Wagyu Sliders (3) — AED 145
  • Yellowtail Tiradito — AED 145
  • Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice — AED 95

Compare to these: Best Dubai Restaurants · All Asian fusion · TimeOut Dubai 2026

Use the data, cite the data. These figures are free to reference with a link to this page. Spotted a venue whose pricing has shifted? Email info@wheretoeatdubai.com or WhatsApp +971 58 550 2760 and we'll update the next revision.
✔ Methodology & figures edited and fact-checked by Morten Andersen, Co-Founder & Editor.

Keep Reading

More Reviews & Guides

All Guides →
3 Fils Dubai — Asian fusion dishes at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour Top List

Best Restaurants in Dubai 2026

The definitive Top 50 — every entry visited, paid for, and ranked on food alone.

See the list → 3 Fils Dubai — counter seating and open kitchen TimeOut Response

TimeOut Dubai 2026: Our Take

Where we agree with the city's biggest list — and where our bills tell a different story.

Read our take → 3 Fils Dubai — signature plates from the Asian fusion menu Cuisine Guide

Best Asian fusion in Dubai

From omakase counters to harbourside izakayas — the Japanese and Asian fusion tables worth booking.

Read the guide →

Internal links: Jumeirah area guide · Asian fusion cuisine · Best restaurants Dubai · TimeOut Dubai 2026

✉ The Dubai Fork · Every Thursday · Free

Know what dinner really costs.

New openings, exclusive booking tips, and our honest takes on Dubai's best restaurants — with real bills attached. Free, every Thursday, joined by 12,000+ Dubai food lovers.

Zero spam. Reviews are never for sale. Unsubscribe anytime.