Expatriate life in Dubai at http://crap-free.com/dubai-expat/

How much does food cost in Dubai?

Contents of this article

The price of food in Dubai is a topic that can be very moot, as food prices differ around the world and your perception of the food cost will fully depend on what you are used to back home.

A South African colleague of mine told me that he found fruit ridiculously expensive here. For me, fruit, vegetables, fish and seafood are rather cheap, while beef seems to be a little too expensive. In other words, it depends.

All the prices below came from my receipts from supermarkets during last couple of months. The supermarkets are: Union CO-OP Society, Waitrose, Spinney’s and Almaya. You may not find something you are used to, like sugar – that’s only because we don’t eat sugar. We eat more vegetables than anything else, so the fruit & vegetable section is the biggest.

Waitrose supermarket at the Dubai Mall

Waitrose supermarket at the Dubai Mall

The Euro, US Dollars and British Pound prices are calculated as a simple conversion based on the 21st of December exchange rate. It will be updated once in one or two months.

Use the living cost calculator for a deeper insight into how much money you need to live in Dubai.


Food & grocery

Name Producer/Origin Measure Price AED EUR USD GBP
Beef Australia 1 kg 50.00 9.52 13.62 8.44
Beef Brazil 1 kg 30.00 5.71 8.17 5.06
Bread, farm house UAE, Waitrose bakery 1 pc 2.25 0.43 0.61 0.38
Bread, with seeds UAE, Waitrose bakery 1 pc 4.85 0.92 1.32 0.82
Cheese, Cheddar Begga 1 kg 40.00 7.61 10.90 6.75
Cheese, Philadelphia cream KRAFT Foods 300g pack 12.05 2.29 3.28 2.03
Chicken UAE 1 kg 30.00 5.71 8.17 5.06
Eggs, DHA Omega-3 UAE 12-eggs pack 19.95 3.80 5.43 3.37
Fish, Black Seabream 1 kg 44.00 8.37 11.99 7.42
Fish, Salmon, fillet Norway 1 kg 68.00 12.94 18.52 11.47
Fish, Seabass 1 kg 48.00 9.13 13.08 8.10
Flour, self-raising UAE, Home Pride 1.5kg pack 8.65 1.65 2.36 1.46
Honey, acacia Nectaflor, Switzerland 250ml 17.60 3.35 4.79 2.97
Ice cubes UAE 1 pack 2.50 0.48 0.68 0.42
Olive oil, extra virgin Borges 16.95 3.23 4.62 2.86
Peas split, yellow Waitrose 5.50 1.05 1.50 0.93
Rice Basmati 1 kg 15.50 2.95 4.22 2.61
Sour cream Elle&Vire 250g 8.75 1.67 2.38 1.48
Spaghetti 1 pack 4.95 0.94 1.35 0.84
Sugar icing Whitworth 9.00 1.71 2.45 1.52


Fruit and vegetables

If you go to the Fruit & Vegetable Market, you can save quite some money comparing to what you will see below. But you have to bargain a lot. When the mongers see a western-looking person, they will set their prices higher than the prices in shops! Don’t get fooled.

Some friends of mine like to bargain. I can’t stand it and don’t normally do that.

Vegetables

Name Producer/Origin Measure Price AED EUR USD GBP
Broccoli Australia 1 kg 20.50 3.90 5.58 3.46
Cabbage, white 1 kg 3.00 0.57 0.82 0.51
Capsicum 1 kg 14.50 2.76 3.95 2.45
Carrot Australia 1 kg 4.45 0.85 1.21 0.75
Cauliflower 1 kg 8.90 1.69 2.42 1.50
Cucumber, organic UAE 1 kg 10.00 1.90 2.72 1.69
Eggplant, organic UAE 1 kg 10.40 1.98 2.83 1.75
Garlic China 1 kg 4.00 0.76 1.09 0.67
Herbs (mint, green leaves, etc.) 1 bunch 1.00 0.19 0.27 0.17
Lemon South Africa 1 kg 4.50 0.86 1.23 0.76
Lettuce Jordan 1 kg 4.50 0.86 1.23 0.76
Lettuce Netherlands 1 kg 12.00 2.28 3.27 2.02
Mushroom 250g pack 5.90 1.12 1.61 1.00
Onion, brown Spain 1 kg 4.00 0.76 1.09 0.67
Potato Saudi Arabia 1 kg 3.50 0.67 0.95 0.59
Spinach 1kg 65.00 12.37 17.71 10.97
Tomato Netherlands 1 kg 19.50 3.71 5.31 3.29
Zucchini, organic UAE 1 kg 13.00 2.47 3.54 2.19

Fruit

Name Producer/Origin Measure Price AED EUR USD GBP
Apple, Fuji China 1 kg 6.75 1.28 1.84 1.14
Apple, Golden France 1 kg 5.45 1.04 1.48 0.92
Apple, Golden South Africa 1 kg 3.80 0.72 1.04 0.64
Apple, Red Chili 1 kg 3.60 0.69 0.98 0.61
Apple, Red USA 1 kg 6.90 1.31 1.88 1.16
Banana Filippines 1 kg 4.75 0.90 1.29 0.80
Grape, Black Turkey 1 kg 6.00 1.14 1.63 1.01
Grape, Black USA 1 kg 9.10 1.73 2.48 1.54
Grape, Red Spain 1 kg 7.00 1.33 1.91 1.18
Grape, White USA 1 kg 12.25 2.33 3.34 2.07
Kiwi New Zealand 1 kg 11.00 2.09 3.00 1.86
Lime, seedless 1 kg 16.50 3.14 4.49 2.78
Mandarine Australia 1 kg 8.25 1.57 2.25 1.39
Nectarine Italy 1 kg 8.45 1.61 2.30 1.43
Orange South Africa 1 kg 3.65 0.69 0.99 0.62
Peaches Tunisia 1 kg 12.60 2.40 3.43 2.13
Pineapple, cut Filippines 1 pc 8.75 1.67 2.38 1.48
Plums (USA) 1 kg 13.00 2.47 3.54 2.19
Watermelon, seedless 1 kg 6.95 1.32 1.89 1.17


Non-alcoholic drinks & milk

This is a basic selection of non-alcoholic drinks sold in UAE. Alcoholic drinks will be covered in a separate article.

Name Producer/Origin Measure Price AED EUR USD GBP
Cola, Sprite, Schweppes, etc. Coca-cola, Pepsi Co. 0.33l can 1.00 0.19 0.27 0.17
Fresh juice, orange UAE 1.5l 18.50 3.52 5.04 3.12
Fresh juice, pineapple UAE 1l bottle 11.90 2.26 3.24 2.01
Fresh juice, pomegranade UAE 500ml bottle 12.95 2.46 3.53 2.18
Laban UAE 500ml bottle 2.75 0.52 0.75 0.46
Milk, full cream UAE 1l bottle 5.50 1.05 1.50 0.93
Water, still UAE 5l bottle 2.80 0.53 0.76 0.47


Snacks and sweets

There isn’t really much here but still you may want to compare it to your domestic prices.

Name Producer/Origin Measure Price AED EUR USD GBP
Corn Flakes with Nuts and Honey Kellogg’s 375g pack 13.50 2.57 3.68 2.28
Croissant, cheese Union Coop bakery 4 pcs pack 6.00 1.14 1.63 1.01
Ice-cream Haagen-Dazs 1 pc 9.00 1.71 2.45 1.52
Ice-cream London Diary 1 pc 5.75 1.09 1.57 0.97
Pringles potato chips, original 1 pack 8.50 1.62 2.32 1.43
Twix, Snickers, Bounty, etc. Mars 1 pc 1.70 0.32 0.46 0.29


Some household stuff

The things that you need to keep your house clean, remote control running and teeth healthy.

Name Producer/Origin Measure Price AED EUR USD GBP
Bathroom Tissue Kleenex 10 pcs pack 17.95 3.42 4.89 3.03
Batteries, AA Duracell 4 batteries pack 11.95 2.27 3.26 2.02
Cling wrap 1 pack 8.60 1.64 2.34 1.45
Dishwashing liquid, Fairy Procter & Gamble 1.5l bottle 10.00 1.90 2.72 1.69
Hand towel, paper Kleenex 1 pack 5.50 1.05 1.50 0.93
Sandwich bag 1 pack 5.50 1.05 1.50 0.93
Shower Gel Dove 11.75 2.24 3.20 1.98
Sponge cloth Vileda 5 pcs pack 7.50 1.43 2.04 1.27
Tooth paste Paradontax 1 pc 21.95 4.18 5.98 3.70

December 30th, 2009


18 Responses to “How much does food cost in Dubai?”

  1. Geeta says:
    January 10, 2010 at 14:28

    Thanks, beautifully detailed lay out. Very helpful.
    Got an idea of what to expect at Dubai. Keep it up.

  2. Vinayak says:
    March 21, 2010 at 12:11

    Phenomenal, outstanding, stupendeous… really appreciate the effort, time and energy that you have spent in updating the site….. it is easily one of the, sorry, the most informative site about the city….. Kudos ,please keep it up. Thanks

  3. Carolina says:
    June 17, 2010 at 16:47

    Thanx so much for all the information! :D If you could tell me the how much the inflation has increased it would be awesome! Peace!

  4. jb22 says:
    July 22, 2010 at 03:36

    you are answering so many questions. keep this up good site. preparing for a job all going well in al ain but not sure weather to live in Dubai or ab dab and commute.

  5. Luisa Gannon says:
    August 6, 2010 at 17:39

    Very useful information, thanks so much.

  6. Rohit says:
    August 17, 2010 at 14:50

    Hi,

    Great site to look for Dubai info!
    My Question simply put:

    My salary is 11000 AED + Company Accomodation (1 BR) + Transportation (Home to Office) + Assistance in Kids Schooling. Will I be able to save 7500 AED? If not, how much can I save?

    FYI, I am vegetarian, non-alcoholic, non-smoker and usually once in a month outside dinning kind of a guy with coming along with my spouse and 3 year old daughter!

    Thanks in advance!
    Rohit

  7. Nonnie says:
    August 20, 2010 at 21:53

    I’m speechless! I’ll be in Dubai for a long while next month and you have been extremely information.

  8. kartik says:
    August 27, 2010 at 16:27

    Hi there

    I must say impressive information and it is like an encyclpoedia of dubai itself.

    Just wanted to know why no information regarding Alcholic drinks
    Please do provide some information regarding this too

  9. Soni says:
    December 28, 2010 at 17:47

    Hi there,
    Hope you are doing well.

    I am an IT engineer from India. I have been offered a long term (2-3 years) opportunity in Dubai. My company is India based and they have client in Dubai.

    Company is offering me Free accommodation (Full furnish studio apartment) + free Transportation (Home-Office-Home) + Medical insurance + 7500 AED as basic salary.
    I am married and have a kid of 1.5 years who will start schooling from next year. Company is also providing additional 500 AED for school going kids.
    I am looking for saving min. 5000 AED per month.

    It would be really helpful if somebody can advice me if I will be able to at least save 5000 AED per month as per my salary offered.

    Thanks in advance.

  10. Soni says:
    December 28, 2010 at 17:52

    I am an IT engineer from India. I have been offered a long term (2-3 years) opportunity in Dubai. My company is India based and they have client in Dubai.

    Company is offering me Free accommodation (Full furnish studio apartment) + free Transportation (Home-Office-Home) + Medical insurance + 7500 AED as basic salary.
    I am married and have a kid of 1.5 years who will start schooling from next year. Company is also providing additional 500 AED for school going kids.
    I am looking for saving min. 5000 AED per month.

    We are vegetarian and don’t take alcohol and don’t do smoking. We will prefer to cook food in home only and would eat out once a week.

    Considering all above facts, It would be really helpful if somebody can advice me if I will be able to at least save 5000 AED per month as per my salary offered.

    Thanks in advance.

  11. Roastix says:
    February 6, 2011 at 23:45

    I have been offered a job in dubai and will be earning 30k AED monthly + medical benefits. I have a son 2 years. No company accommodation. How much is the cost of schooling in Dubai? I drink once in a while. How easily can i access alcohol?

    • admin says:
      February 26, 2011 at 11:30

      Hi Roastix, I don’t have kids, so unfortunately can’t advise on schooling. You will need to check with schools directly. To get alcohol in Dubai itself, you will need to get an alcoholic license (about 200 AED/year). You will be ripped off by prices though! Another way is to drive to Ajman and buy drinks there but be careful because you will have to drive through Sharjah, which has no tolerance to alcohol, and if you get caught, you may end up in prison.

  12. Ossama says:
    February 14, 2011 at 14:20

    Hi, Thanks for creating such useful website
    can you please confirm that the above list of prices is uptodate
    Thanks

  13. Louie says:
    March 13, 2011 at 20:11

    Thanks a lot, your site has been very useful. Many thanks for the huge effort you put in it. Well done

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