CHEAP EATS

Blown a fortune over the festive period? It’s time to discover Downtown’s plethora of super-affordable restaurants.

Tasha Restaurant

Not to be confused with the posh and elegant tashas of Al Bateen, Tasha Restaurant offers an entirely different experience. Specialising in authentic Egyptian cuisine, it’s down to earth, no nonsense and refreshingly casual. The hieroglyphic-covered walls and pharaoh-inspired artworks will have you dreaming of booking that bucket list trip down the Nile, and our favourites include the juicy hawawshi sandwiches (Dhs24), delightfully creamy lentil soup, and the epic breakfast spreads. The complimentary Arabic tea at the end adds to its endearing charm. a Hazza Bin Zayed the First Street, Al Dhafrah, 7am to 12.30am. Tel: (0)2 677 8777. @tasha.abudhabi.

SHAWARMA

Flame and Bake

Ask any city guy or girl where to find the best shawarma, and F&B will normally be the answer. A true Abu Dhabi institution, it’s so popular it has three Downtown locations, all within amusingly close proximity. Setting you back a meer Dhs14, it’s got every element nailed. The chicken is succulent, the pickles are just the right amount of sour and, whether you go for saj or a babalouchi pita, the bread is always fresh and beautifully soft. Nobody’s judging if you order two. a Al Saqr Tower, Al Khalidiyah, and elsewhere. 10.30am to 1am. Tel: (0)2 681 7747. @flamenbakeuae.

BURGERS MEXICAN

Burro Blanco

Quite literally a hole in the wall found just next to a Khalidiyah ADNOC station, Burro Blanco’s enormous and super-tasty burritos are the stuff of legend. Takeaway only, the staff are an exceptionally likeable bunch and the delicious fillings go far beyond the usual choices of beef or chicken. Veggies have a number of exciting options, including Beyond Meat or colourful squash, pepper and onion, while the deep-fried avocado chips are mindblowingly brilliant. Once you try it, you’ll immediately understand the hype. Meet the owner on p38. a Al Khalidiyah, Sat to Wed 11am to 10pm, Thu to Fri 11am to midnight. Tel: (0)2 309 3911. @burroblancouae

Firefly

Firefly’s ridiculous ‘cheese injection’ burger once made headlines as far as the UK, but don’t let that put you off. Everything else on the menu is ultra-tasty, top quality, huge and, reassuringly gimmick free. The outdoor terrace is perfect for soaking up the cool backstreet vibes of Khalidiyah and the fries are easily big enough to share between two. There are loads of tempting topping combos to choose from, including a Wagyu burger for only Dhs32, but we recommend keeping it simple and opting for the signature Firefly Burger (Dhs29). It hits the spot every time. a Behind Arab African International Bank, Al Khalidiyah. Sun to Wed and Sat, noon to 11.30pm. Thur to Fri noon to 12.30pm. Tel: (0)2 679 0090. @fireflyburgerad.

ULTRA-BUDGET

Good Burger

Old and crumbling compared with the rest of Abu Dhabi, the original Tourist Club Area is a hotspot for crazily cheap and delicious food. You’ll find a brilliant, rustic cafeteria on every corner, but Good Burger is one of the best. Despite what the name suggests, this no-frills alleyway haunt specialises in an eclectic selection of cuisines, including grills, biryanis, incredible curries (we can vouch for the butter chicken and kadai) and everyone’s favourite Downtown staple, Dhs3 Oman Chip parathas. The makeshift urban ‘terrace’ is always buzzing, and you’ll pay no more than Dhs50 for two to eat very well indeed. a Al Shabhan Street, Al Zahiyah. 9am to 3am. Tel: (0)2 444 2484.

CHINESE

Seven Hotpot

Normally, the best part of eating out is that you don’t have to cook. But at Seven Hotpot, the preparation is all part of the journey. An established Abu Dhabi rite of passage, it invites you to throw tender beef, huge squid rings, bok choy and as many other tasty morsels as you fancy into a bubbling pot of spicy broth on your table. The opposite to your stereotypically greasy Chinese, it’s a healthy, low-carb and highly sociable dinner that costs less than Dhs50 per person. Go hungry, get creative at the make-your-own sauce counter and absolutely try the random free fried chicken. a Electra Street. 11am to 1am. Tel: (0)2 546 8877. @sevenhotpotgroup.

LEBANESE BAKERY

Du Mayass Boulangerie

You haven’t lived until you’ve tried kaak. Massive ringshaped dough topped with crunchy sesame seeds and going for only around Dhs20 each, these bargain, meal-sized treats come stuffed with cheese, labneh, spicy sausages and every kind of Arabic-inspired filling you can imagine. Watching the expert bakers at work in the open kitchen is fascinating, and there’s also excellent manakish, cute pastry appetisers (Dhs3 each), salads, sandwiches and fresh juices. The dining room is chic and homey, and it all feels like it should be far more costly than it actually is. a Corniche Residents, opposite Official Park, 7am to midnight. Tel: (0)2 639 9972. bdm-bakery.ae

THAI

Lemongrass Thai Restaurant

Abu Dhabi’s flashiest mall is an unlikely place for a budget dinner spot. But those in the know sidle past the high-end brands, and head to the food court of the ‘old bit’ to gobble up some of the most sensational Thai grub to be found outside of Bangkok. The papaya salad pops with the most wonderful contrasting sweet, sour and spicy flavours, and the pad thai, served encased in a delicate egg shell, is incredible. Take your tray out onto the terrace and enjoy exactly the same stunning waterfront views as Coya, La Petite Maison and the rest of the Island’s flashy hotspots, but for around Dhs40 or less a plate. You will, (quite rightly) feel very smug indeed. a The Galleria, Al Maryah Island. Sat to Wed 11am to 11pm, Thur to Fri 11am to midnight. Tel: (0)2 677 0100. @lemongrassauh.