Eat in Deira and Karama, not only in the hotels

Dubai's best-value food is in the old neighborhoods where its workforce lives: Pakistani karahi and Afghan kebabs in Deira, South Indian thalis and Filipino lunches in Karama, Lebanese grills along Al Rigga. Ravi Restaurant in Satwa is the classic cheap plate. Emirati food itself, machboos rice and luqaimat dumplings, is found in a few dedicated restaurants and at the Al Fanar chain. Friday brunch at hotels is an institution, lavish and pricey.