On a Budget, in Dubai

June 2007
whats on - Wine-N-Dine

The moment you set foot in Dubai, the grandeur of the city awes. The shiny and glitzy glass and metal facades which form the cityscape can leave a newcomer dazzled and wide-eyed. But the City of Gold does not demand its visitors to pay the toll in gold. You can enjoy all its facets – sights, shopping and eating out – on a restricted budget and yet return with a fulfilling experience.

In the back lanes of several of the shiny towers, you will find tea and fruit juice joints. With a huge immigrant population, strong and flavoured tea is a favourite. While scouring the Souqs for fresh condiments, perfumes and electronics, you will find large servings of Kiwi Juice at Dhs 2 very refreshing.

If a quick bite means grabbing a Jumbo Vada Pav or an Idli-Vada before jumping into a fleeting bus or train, you must reach out for a Shawarma in Dubai. A Lebanese item, it has shreds of roasted chicken with tingling sauces rolled up conveniently in a Pita bread, apt for the person on a move! The Shwarma’s are priced at Dhs 3, with a guarantee to satiate hunger-pangs at all the odd hours.

For a more substantial luncheon, look out for the famous chain restaurant – Karachi Darbar. A no-fuss eating joint, office-goers can be seen galore; they come here for quick service. Although a little cold-shouldered, you find that the food seems to appear magically in a flash, piping hot. Savour a three-course meal of Chicken Tikka, Dal Ghost, Rotis, Lassi and their famous hot Jamuns for a neat Dhs 50 for two people.

Similar to the Shwarma joints, you will find the city dotted with small joints which prepare burgers, Indian-style, if you please. At Dhs 5 a plate, these chunky burgers surely give a beating to McDonalds, KFC and Burger King in terms of value-for-money which are priced at Dhs 18.

As the scorching sun sizzles behind the cooling waters, another facet of Arabia comes to life. People prefer to spend a relaxing evening over Shishas and endless hours of banter. This perfect setting of Al Paras fortunately comes minus the high price-tag. An open air restaurant, they have Khus sheets with water running over them to keep cool.

You will be escorted to an elevated wooden canopy, with a carpet and seating on cushions for the party. The meal commences with an earthen bowl of Hummus with a generous dollop of olive oil, cheese stick, mint leaves and Khaboos. The Kebabs, their speciality, are served along with a live barbeque, so you can enjoy the meal at a slow pace. This is accompanied with Irani Rice, liberally sprinkled with homemade butter. This rice itself is flavoured and most people don’t find the need to combine it with a gravy dish. This elaborate evening might cause a small dent of Dhs 250 for five people. But then, its is all worth it!

If you, though, prefer a quick dinner minus the frills, head for the back alleys of Bur Dubai, where you will find the labour class of the opulent city voraciously digging into heaps of Biryani. These cubby holes also have separate seating for families, often in upstairs booths. A meal can be enjoyed here for as little as Dhs 7 for two people.

Be warned though, a trip to the world-famous malls can surely leave your pocket light of all that you saved up with this culinary budget.