Eat well in Abu Dhabi without overpaying: the locals'-budget edition.
Eat well in Abu Dhabi for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Dragon Bao Bao cooks Northern Chinese dumplings, handmade noodles and a revolving hot pot at AED 39 on Electra Street in Abu Dhabi, open daily until late.
TryRevolving hot pot and dumplings
TipChoose a broth base, fillings and condiments for a personal hot pot; Yalla says the handmade noodles and baozi set it apart from stir-fry rooms.
Golden Spoon Indian Vegetarian serves family-run vegetarian curries with some Chinese twists in Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi, with mains at AED 17 to 28.
TryVegetable akbari, dahi bhalla and garlic naan
TipBest Bites says the manager's mother creates the dishes behind the scenes, and Mawaqif parking is available outside the door.
Nihal Restaurant serves Indian and Chinese dishes such as butter chicken and mutton biryani in a large room behind Lifeline Hospital in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi.
TryMutton biryani, butter chicken and Indian-Chinese mains
TipBest Bites rates the butter chicken and mutton biryani at AED 38 each; Experience Abu Dhabi notes a banquet hall upstairs for events.
Salam Bombay Vegetarian Restaurant serves Mumbai street dishes such as pav bhaji, paani puri and kachori chaat on Electra Street in Abu Dhabi from 07:00.
TryPav bhaji and paani puri
TipBest Bites says paani puri is served only from 16:00, so time a visit for the afternoon, and recommends finishing with masala chai.
West to West serves Caribbean and West African rice plates, grilled meats, stews and vegan dishes at the Flavours Hub food hall in Masdar Park, Abu Dhabi.
TryRice plates, grilled meats and stews
TipThe National puts mains at AED 35 to 50 and says each stall shows menu boards with photos and clear prices, as in a Singapore hawker centre.
Oriental Kopitiam serves nasi lemak, laksa, toast sets and Hainanese chicken rice from a stall in the Flavours Hub food hall at Masdar Park, Abu Dhabi.
TryNasi lemak, laksa and Hainanese chicken rice
TipThe National lists dishes at AED 25 to 55, with crab from AED 60, so the noodle and rice plates are the sub-AED 50 order.
Thai Flavors serves pad Thai, curries, stir-fries and Thai milk tea from a stall in the Flavours Hub food hall at Masdar Park in Abu Dhabi, open to 23:00.
TryPad Thai, curries and stir-fries
TipThe National puts mains at AED 35 to 60, so choose a noodle or stir-fry plate to stay near the AED 50 mark; the hall seats everyone at shared tables.
Thalassery Thattukada serves Malabar parottas, beef curry and mutton biryani near Big Mart in Al Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, at about AED 60 for two.
TryMalabar parotta with beef curry
TipCurly Tales prices a meal for two at about AED 60, and Gulf News notes the tables fill up gradually by evening.
Taste of Kerala serves Kerala breakfasts, fish molee and biryanis on Old Passport Road, Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, at about AED 45 for two, says Curly Tales.
TryKerala biryani and nadan curries
TipGulf News calls the portions generous and the prices gentle, and the same menu runs from idli and appam breakfasts to nadan lunches.
Chaat Chaska sells vegetarian chaat, samosas and falooda near Madinat Zayed in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, where Best Bites says AED 49 feeds two people.
TryPani puri, dahi puri and samosas
TipBest Bites says nothing on the chaat list tops AED 12 and the food comes out quickly, which makes it a fast, cheap lunch.
Al Alamain Restaurant sells hot dog and liver sandwiches at AED 6 in Al Danah, Abu Dhabi, and keeps long hours, from 05:00 to 01:00 every day.
TryHot dog and liver sandwiches
TipWhat's On notes generous portions at very low prices; FACT adds the falafel sandwich to the order.
Kopitiam by Chandy's serves Malaysian dishes under AED 40 on Al Falah Street in Abu Dhabi, in a small, clean room run by Malaysian-born Chef Chandy.
TryMalaysian dishes under AED 40
TipBest Bites puts a meal for two under AED 100 and says everything on the menu costs under AED 40 apart from the odd special.
Vietnamese Pho serves pho noodle soups, spring rolls and banh mi on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, a budget pick on the Visit Abu Dhabi cheap eats list.
TryPho noodle soup, spring rolls and banh mi
TipYalla suggests salted egg tofu and vegetarian spring rolls first, then a noodle soup with chilli to taste, and sticky mango rice to finish.
Moti Mahal Delux serves butter chicken, dal makhani and veg biryani in Al Zahiyah, Abu Dhabi; Best Bites calls it one of the longest-standing Indian rooms.
TryButter chicken, dal makhani and vegetable biryani
TipBest Bites says the vegetable biryani is more than enough for two, and its table of six dishes with parathas came to AED 135.
Big Boys Sandwiches sells salt beef, fried chicken and egg salad sandwiches from AED 45 in the Yas Food Hall at Yas Mall on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
TrySalt beef 7th Avenue, chicken wrap and egg salad sandwich
TipBest Bites says the sandwiches are huge, and that extra fries, salad or rice, coleslaw and a drink add AED 15; three minis cost about AED 45.
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