An AED 500 dinner prepared by a Michelin-star chef is a lovely treat, but food that fills the stomach and feeds the soul doesn’t have to be expensive. This is what our list of cheap eats in Ras Al Khaimah readily proves.
Read on because we name budget restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah that are dishing out wholesome and heart-warming meals we think you will enjoy. Make sure to include one or two of them in your Ras Al Khaimah food itinerary.
Key Takeaways
- There are best-value dining and cheap eats in Ras Al Khaimah, and they serve great value and generous food portions for affordable prices.
- Head to Claypot, Pure Veg. Restaurant, and Mandarin Cafeteria for Indian cuisine.
- Dine at Al Hish Farm or pick up food from Mandarin Cafeteria and the home-based noodle restaurant Blends for Emirati cuisine.
- Cafeteria Felafel Abu Naeem, Luluat Bahriy Restaurant, and Madfoon Al Sadda are budget restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah that offer regional cuisine.
- For great value-for-money international fare, try La Burrata and Sakura Japan Sweets & Restaurants.
1. Claypot
Location: Citymax Hotel, Bin Daher St, Al Nakheel
Cuisine/s: North Indian, Mughlai, Desi
Average Cost: AED 49-70 per person, less with promotions
Type: Buffet, à la carte
Category: Value-for-money
Claypot serves budget-friendly feasts, with buffets you can avail at less than AED 60 per person. The food is fresh and made with high-quality ingredients, and the service is excellent.
You must try their tandooris, biryanis, and curated thalis.
Note: Get the budget-friendly staycation offer from Citymax Hotel, Al Nakheel. Book using the promo code RAKTDA to avail the low room rates plus a 30% discount on dining in the hotel’s restaurants.
Check out Ras Al Khaimah hotel staycation promos for great perks, including best-value dining, on RAK Moments.
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2. Al Hish Farm
Location: Al Shaagi
Cuisine/s: Authentic Emirati
Average Cost: Approximately AED 50 per person for breakfast
Type: Al fresco farm café, table service
Category: Value-for-money and cultural experience
Come to Al Hish Farm (or Alhish Farm) on 14D Street off of Khatt Road, just eight minutes away from the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, if you’re hankering for local food in Ras Al Khaimah. The farm has chalets for tourist accommodation, but you don’t have to stay in the farm to experience its fresh, homegrown produce.
Al Hish Farm grows its own strawberries, which you can sample in the cooler months of the winter season. The Farm also produces its own wheat, which is processed onsite to make the very flour used in the Farm’s breads.
Visit for breakfast and order their breakfast tray of shakshouka, labneh, falafel, and hummus; the shakshuka is highly recommended. It will wake you right up with its potent spice mix.
Add some khameer (yeasted, saffron-spiced bread, which you can dunk in cream cheese or honey) and chibab (Emirati pancakes). Pair the bread with karak chai.
3. Luluat Bahriy Restaurant
Location: Ras Al Khaimah Municipality Fish Market (a morning market open from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m.)
Cuisine/s: Alexandrian-style seafood (Egyptian)
Average Cost: AED 48–84 per person for a full meal
Type: À la carte
Category: Value-for-money
Luluat Bahriy Restaurant is one of the best seafood restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah, serving freshly caught seafood sourced from the neighboring old fish market. Its Alexandrian owner says the food he serves in his restaurant is the same food he would serve if he were at home in Alexandria.
When you visit Lulaut Bahriy Restaurant, try their sayadiyah rice. This vegetarian rice dish, with a nutty and caramelized flavor, is made with short-grained rice cooked with onions and baharat (a North African herb and spice blend).
Pair that with eggplant drizzled with a tomato-based sauce simmered with chilis, garlic, and vinegar and garnished with fresh dill. It tastes bright on the palate. Of course, you should not miss the mixed seafood casserole, which has fresh crabs, prawns, squid, fish roe, and peppers in a creamy sauce generously sprinkled with fresh dill.
4. Mandarin Cafeteria
Location: Multiple locations, including Sector 4 of Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Road in Al Dhait South and Sheikh Saqr City
Cuisine/s: Emirati and Indian street food, grab-and-go snacks and beverages
Average Cost: AED 15-40 per person
Type: Counter service, drive-thru
Category: Cheap eats
Despite its name, this is not a Chinese restaurant. You can come here for local food in Ras Al Khaimah.
Their beverages are a crowd favorite. These include karak saoud (a frothy and sweet karak black tea with crushed glucose biscuits and milk, karak chai, Arabic coffee, and Turkish coffee.
Popular food options include shawarma, falafel wraps, egg sandwiches, Oman chips chapati (cream cheese, hot sauce, and potato chips wrapped in whole-wheat flour flatbread), keema parotta (spiced, minced meat wrapped in a rich, flaky, all-purpose refined flour flatbread), and zinger parotta (spicy, crispy fried chicken wrapped in parotta).
Mandarin Cafeteria also serves shakshouka, falafel platters, and fresh pastries. To get your food and drinks, drive up to the counter, order, pay, and wait for your takeout. Park your car, and enjoy your snacks.
5. Blends
Location: Al Refaa (Al Riffa)
Cuisine/s: Fusion Emirati cuisine
Average Cost: AED 30-45 per person
Type: Home drive-thru (ordered via WhatsApp)
Category: Cheap eats, hidden gem
Blends is a licensed, home-based business owned by an Emirati woman. She sells food from her house. People order through WhatsApp and come to pick up their order.
A must-try is their fusion labneh and noodle dish. It’s thick noodles in a labneh base and served with a wedge of lemon. You can adjust the level of spiciness to your taste when you order.
6. Madfoon Al Sadda
Location: Near Emirates Market, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Salem Rd, Sheikh Saqr City
Cuisine/s: Yemeni
Average Cost: AED 50–100 per person
Type: À la carte with sharing plates
Category: Value-for-money
Madfoon Al Sadda offers a feast for the senses with their bestsellers, including charcoal-grilled marinated chicken, marinated lamb shoulder, or salmon fish fillet served on a bed of mandi or bukhari rice (i.e., mazbi chicken, mazbi meat, and salmon rice).
Also worth trying are their fattoush, yogurt with cucumber, zurbian chicken, hadrami chicken, haniz meat (ribs), and meat kabsa. If you like sweets, try their kunafa with cream, with pistachio, or with Nutella.
There are other seafood options aside from salmon. They are mandi fish and sea bream with rice. If you can, definitely order the prawn bucket al sadda.
7. La Burrata
Location: Al Riffa, near Mina Al Arab
Cuisine/s: Tuscan / Italian
Average Cost: Pizzas under AED 40, AED 50-100 per person
Type: Casual trattoria
Category: Value-for-money, no-frills Italian restaurant
If you are in the mood for a value-for-money Italian meal, come to La Burrata. This is a wonderful, casual restaurant that offers high-quality Italian cuisine and generous servings without the frills and luxury prices.
Definitely try their homemade burrata, pasta, and classic, wood-fired Tuscan pizzas.
Note: This restaurant is an excellent spot for guests staying at Mina Al Arab hotels in Ras Al Khaimah, such as Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort and InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa.
8. Pure Veg. Restaurant
Location: Ground Floor, Sheikh Saqer Building, Al Muntasir Road (near Al Mamourah Road), Al Nakheel
Cuisine/s: Indian / Asian
Average Cost: AED 60 for three people (AED 20/person)
Type: À la carte
Category: Cheap eats
Vegans and vegetarians looking for cheap eats in Ras Al Khaimah can come to Pure Vegetarian Restaurant. Enjoy its Indian and Asian dishes, including thalis, cashew paneer curry, tandoori roti veg noodles, pani puri, parathas, dahi balla, masala puri bhaji, dhosas, and ragda patties, among others.
The food is very affordable, with many dishes priced below AED 15.
9. Cafeteria Felafel Abu Naeem
Location: Al Muntasir Road, Al Nakheel
Cuisine/s: Syrian and Lebanese
Average Cost: AED 15–30 per person
Type: Fast food
Category: Cheap eats
Cafeteria Felafel Abu Naeem is one of the most popular budget restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah, and its specialty is Syrian and Lebanese street food. It’s especially popular for its delicious falafels and Lebanese shawarmas.
10. Sakura Japan Sweets & Restaurant
Location: Near Al Fulaya Plaza, Al Manama – Ras Al Khaimah Road, Al Kharran
Cuisine/s: Japanese
Average Cost: AED 50–80 per person.
Type: À la carte
Category: Value-for-money
Sakura Japan Sweets & Restaurant offers one of the best-value dining options in RAK. This hidden gem will let you enjoy fresh Japanese delicacies without the hotel prices.
Its maki rolls and ramen are a must-try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can visitors find great value meals in Ras Al Khaimah?
Visitors can find great value meals across Ras Al Khaimah at spots like Claypot, which offers buffets under AED 60. Pure Vegetarian Restaurant serves vegetarian Indian dishes for less than AED 15. For authentic local flavors, Al Hish Farm and Mandarin Café provide affordable traditional dishes and snacks.
Those who love seafood must visit Luluat Bahriy Restaurant for fresh catches. La Burrata serves budget-friendly Italian cuisine. Blends offers unique fusion dishes from its home-based kitchen. Finally, Sakura and Madfoon Al Sadda provide high-quality international and regional options.
What should first-timers try (local and regional dishes)?
First-timers must savor traditional Emirati breakfasts like saffron-flavored khameer, chibab, labneh, and savory shakshouka. Consider getting some samboosas, karak saoud, the Alexandrian creamy seafood casserole paired with nutty sayadiyah rice, and mazbi chicken or lamb. For a unique twist, try the fusion labneh and noodle dish.
How to plan a budget-friendly food day (breakfast to dinner)?
Begin at Al Hish Farm for an affordable Emirati breakfast like khameer. For lunch, Pure Vegetarian Restaurant offers hearty Indian meals under AED 15. Enjoy an Alexandrian seafood dinner at Luluat Bahriy Restaurant or budget-friendly Italian favorites at La Burrata to complete your delicious journey.
Intersperse your day with snacks from Mandarin Café, where karak saoud and Oman chips chapati are local favorites. Alternatively, Claypot provides extensive budget-friendly buffets for less than AED 60 per person.
These diverse options ensure a satisfying, cost-effective experience throughout Ras Al Khaimah.
Are there good casual spots near major resort areas?
Yes, visitors staying near Al Marjan Island or Mina Al Arab can access excellent casual dining. La Burrata offers affordable Italian cuisine near the Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort and InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa. Claypot serves value-for-money, budget-friendly Indian feasts in the city center, near central hotel hubs.
What’s the best way to balance local + international options?
To balance your palate, start with an authentic Emirati breakfast at Al Hish Farm before heading to resort areas like Mina Al Arab for international lunch. Combine affordable street food from Mandarin Café with a traditional seafood dinner at Luluat Bahriy Restaurant to experience the full culinary spectrum across Ras Al Khaimah.
Your Ras Al Khaimah Food Itinerary for Cheap Eats and Value-Dining
The best restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah are the ones that suit not only your taste, but also your budget. Fortunately, Ras Al Khaimah offers a diverse selection of culinary options that caters to every budget without sacrificing flavor or authenticity.
On your visit, sample some of the best cheap eats in Ras Al Khaimah. They serve hearty and comforting food, both local and international, to fill you up after a long day of outdoor activities or visiting the top attractions and places to visit in Ras Al Khaimah.
Ready to visit Ras Al Khaimah? Scour our offers on RAK Moments for great perks, including best-value dining inclusions, you can enjoy on your Ras Al Khaimah staycation.
