We’re all about value for money here at Time Out Abu Dhabi and there’s nothing we love more than feasting on top-quality nosh for less, especially when it’s a rich, flavour-packed, spice-laden Indian meal.
So we made it our mission to hunt down the best budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi, so you can not only enjoy the delicious flavours of Indian cuisine, but you don’t have to stretch the purse strings too. After all, you don’t need to splash the cash to enjoy a decent meal.
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If you’re after budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi that won’t break the bank, look no further as we’ve found some of the best budget Indian restaurants the city has to offer.
Ready for your dirhams to take you far at these brilliant budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi? Read on for our top picks, and you can thank us later.
Chhappan Bhog
Ready to try one of the best budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi? Blink and you’ll miss it. If you do happen to spot it, well, you’re in for a treat. This cosy, unassuming vegetarian-only restaurant is half taken up by an Indian bakery serving breads, samosas, and sweet treats (which are highlights here). 100 percent vegetarian, 100 percent tasty.
Open daily 8.30am-11.30pm. Al Salam Street, chhappanbhogabudhabi.business.site (02 677 8864).
India Palace
India Palace has the feel of an upmarket Indian restaurant, but the bill won’t give you quite as much of a shock as many other similar restaurants in the capital. It’s one of the top budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
The menu is a mix of the more popular ‘high street’ curries along with traditional curries which are a staple here (and a staple done very well indeed). There’s also a good range of dishes for vegetarians including the murgh lababdar (an outstanding dish) and the vegetarian kadai gobi.
Various locations including Al Salam Street, indiapalace.ae (02 644 8777).
Kababs & Kurries
There’s no guessing what Kababs & Kurries specialises in. This is a stellar spot to grab tasty renditions of the restaurant’s namesake dishes. The menu is vast, covering tandoor, classic curries (korma, rogan josh, and butter chicken), veggie-friendly dishes and biryanis This is one of the best budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi, and it’s all decent value for money, too.
Open daily 11.30am-11.30pm. Various locations including Al Raha Beach, Al Muneera (02 552 6900).
Kura Kura
Grab your friends and take them to one of the best budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi. So good they named it twice, Kura Kura is a real gem when it comes to serving up brilliant Indian fare for less. Serving up top-notch Indian food that could be sold at a steeper price range (but please don’t tell them that) you really can eat well for less at this cool venue. Curries and biryanis will cost you around Dhs35 or less and are more than enough to feed two of you.
Open daily 10.30am-10.30pm. Capital Tower, Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, kurakurauae.com (02 443 3733).
MYNT
If you’re looking for interesting budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi, then MYNT is for you. The menu is extensive with plenty of quirky dishes such as Amritsari fish fingers and “gunpowder” murgh and the curries are a hit, too. Vegetarian? Go for the rustic chana masala. With flavour-packed dishes coming in at pocket-friendly prices, MYNT is a must-try.
Open daily noon-midnight. Al Zahiyah, mynt.ae (02 666 6400).
Nihal Restaurant
Nihal may be one of Abu Dhabi’s older establishments but it remains one of the top budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi, and it still manages to draw in a crowd. Service is warm, dishes served promptly and piping hot, and the place has an easy-going, family-friendly feel. Tandoors and curries are the highlights here with most dishes hitting the Dhs30 mark but if you’re feeling flush, go for the tandoori prawns with naan (and at Dhs49 for a massive portion, it’s a steal, too).
Open daily 11am-midnight. Al Markaziya (02 631 8088).
Ritaj Restaurant
There are some restaurants in Abu Dhabi that you just know about through word of mouth. A friend tells you that the food is fantastic, you hear it brought up a few times in passing, and, inevitably, curiosity gets the better of you and you’ve got to try it for yourself. Ritaj is one of those places. Specialising in Hyderabadi cuisine, expect pocket-friendly Indian food with a regional focus. The special chicken biryani is packed full of flavour while the mutton version is just as tasty. Add this place to your list of the best budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi you need to try now.
Various locations including Al Markaziya (02 631 0036).
Salam Bombay
For a low-cost Indian meal, try vegetarian-only restaurant Salam Bombay. It’s one of the top budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi. There’s an amazingly comprehensive and long menu (there are probably more than 100 things to choose from – it’s massive) featuring dosas, curries, pani puri, soups, biryanis and thali.
Open daily 7am-11.30pm. Various locations across Abu Dhabi including Electra Street, salambombay.net (02 677 7076).
Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant
Ready to feast at one of the best budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi? This vegetarian-friendly Indian restaurant always gets it right – and the prices are fair, too. Think large dosas (try the onion variety) and thalis, but don’t miss out on the mixed veggie chilli fry.
Open Sat-Thu 7am-3.30pm; 5pm-11pm, Fri 7am-noon; 1pm-3.30pm, 5pm-11.30pm. Mohammed Bin Zayed City (02 553 3444).
Tandoori Corner
Why not add this place to your list of budget Indian restaurants in Abu Dhabi you need to visit? This little establishment is cheap and cheerful – and a hot hit with residents for good reason. The outstanding curries at are plentiful and the wallet-friendly dishes are served piping hot, rich and flavoursome, yet not too heavy. These creamy curries are best enjoyed with the garlic or regular naan, light and buttery with a crispy finish.
Open daily 11am-midnight. Airport Road, Al Wahda (02 445 8686).
For all the best things to eat across the capital, head here.
