Budget
Cactus Jacks
It may never win any culinary awards but Cactus Jacks seldom disappoints a hungry stomach. A Mexican theme for the décor includes Aztec fabrics and bright designs, as well as multicolour tiled pillars. Upstairs there are five tables for diners looking for a touch more privacy. The restaurant has a live DJ at weekends and things can turn
quite wild after 2300, when the spicy Tex Mex food and the tequila kick in. Cactus Jacks dishes up all of the usual suspects (fajitas, burritos and tortillas) with plenty of meal deals and drinks specials. Parties of eight diners or more receive a 30% discount on their bill, which gives a good idea of the market that the restaurant is leaning toward.
Millennium Airport Hotel, Al Garhoud
Tel: (04) 282 3464.
Website: www.millenniumhotels.com
Da Vinci's Restaurant
This popular Italian restaurant offers an unpretentious setting and menu in a friendly environment. All of the usual pasta and pizza dishes are on offer and, although there are no real highlights, most dishes are consistently good. One popular offering is the gamberoni grigliati (jumbo prawn with capers and potatoes). The dark décor and red, white and green chequered tablecloths might be a touch on the garish side but for an evening meal that does not break the bank or challenge a delicate palate, Da Vinci's is a good choice.
Millennium Airport Hotel, Al Garhoud
Tel: (04) 282 3464.
Website: www.millenniumhotels.com
Deira City Centre Food Court
Of the many food courts that are dotted all around Dubai, this is one of the most popular. On sale is the full smorgasbord of international foods, with the only unifying feature being that all the stands are cheap. The most popular stands serve up simple Chinese and Indian specialities accompanied by boiled rice. They also have a play area for kids, which takes some of the pressure off harassed mums and dads.
Deira City Centre Mall, Deira
Tel: (04) 295 1010.
Thattukada
The excellent South Indian restaurant at the Palm Beach Rotana Inn serves great-value food. Diners sit on long, wooden benches and are surrounded by film posters on the walls. The Kerala-influenced dishes include kappa erachi (tapioca and chicken curry) and karimeem porichathu (fish fry) and are guaranteed to fill diners up without breaking the bank.
Palm Beach Rotana Inn
Tel: (04) 393 1999.
Woodland Avenue
This ultra-cheap South Indian restaurant has to be one of the best-value places in town. The décor is very plain, with yellow checked tablecloths and little attempt to make things aesthetically pleasing. Diners do not come here for aesthetic, rather for the good-value food. The menu is mainly vegetarian and there are few frills but for value for money, an Indian meal at Woodland Avenue seldom disappoints. The vegetable thali is one of the most popular dishes and deservedly so.
Al Karama
Tel: (04) 336 6632.