7 places
A tiny counter by the Gold Souk turning out some of the cheapest decent chicken shawarma in the city, around 8 to 10 dirhams a wrap.
Vegetarian thalis, dosas, pani puri and paneer curries where most dishes are under 15 dirhams and a full meal is about 20.
Chandy's roti jala, laksa and nasi lemak earned a Michelin listing and still come in under AED 50 a plate.
Two Emirati sisters turned a food truck into this kitchen, and a regag with egg is AED 26.
Shawarma wrapped in thin saj bread starts around AED 20, and the bread basket refills for free.
Bib Gourmand Emirati and Kuwaiti cooking (majboos, harees, mutabbaq) in Michelin's cheapest price band.
Manakeesh come straight out of the oven, and the long menu runs from breakfast foul to grills after midnight.