United Arab Emirates (UAE) Food Service Market Overview, 2028

The UAE is known for its luxurious and high-end dining experiences. Dubai, in particular, is home to numerous Michelin-starred restaurants, celebrity chefs, and opulent dining venues with breathtaking views. Despite its upscale dining options, the UAE also has a thriving street food culture. You can enjoy delicious shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and other street foods from small vendors and food trucks. Buffets are a popular dining format in the UAE, especially in hotels and brunches. Friday brunches, in particular, are a beloved tradition where families and friends gather for lavish spreads. The UAE has a strong presence of international restaurant chains, including fast-food giants like McDonald's, KFC, and Pizza Hut, as well as casual dining brands like Nando's, Shake Shack, and TGI Fridays. Dubai hosts an annual food festival that celebrates its culinary scene. The festival includes food tastings, cooking demonstrations, and celebrity chef appearances, attracting food enthusiasts from around the world. The UAE has a strong presence of food delivery apps, such as Zomato and Talabat, making it convenient for residents and tourists to order food from a wide range of restaurants. The UAE's culture places a strong emphasis on halal food, which adheres to Islamic dietary laws. All food service establishments in the country, whether local or international, are required to serve halal food, ensuring that it is prepared and served in accordance with Islamic principles. Despite its reputation for luxury, the UAE also embraces street food culture. Shawarma, falafel, kebabs, and other street foods are popular and widely available from food trucks and small vendors. It's a more casual and affordable way to enjoy local flavours.

According to the research report "United Arab Emirates Food Service Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, the United Arab Emirates Food Service market is expected to grow at more than 8% CAGR from 2023 to 2028. The UAE is a major Middle East tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually. Tourists seek a wide range of dining experiences, from traditional Arabic cuisine to international flavours, which boosts the food service market. The UAE has a large expatriate population, representing a variety of nationalities and culinary preferences. The diverse demographic contributes to the demand for a wide range of cuisines, both local and international. The UAE's strategic location and status as a global business hub have exposed its residents to a wide array of international cuisines. This exposure has led to a growing appetite for diverse and exotic foods. The rise of food delivery apps and online ordering platforms has made it convenient for consumers to enjoy restaurant-quality food at home or in their workplaces. The ease of ordering has contributed significantly to market growth. Dubai and Abu Dhabi host numerous international business and tourism events, conferences, and exhibitions. These events drive demand for food service establishments that can cater to large groups and delegates. Dubai and Abu Dhabi host numerous international business and tourism events, conferences, and exhibitions. These events drive demand for food service establishments that can cater to large groups and delegates. There is a growing awareness of health and wellness, leading to increased demand for restaurants that offer healthier menu options, organic ingredients, and dietary accommodations. The UAE's culinary scene has become a destination in itself, attracting food tourists from around the world. Culinary tourism boosts the restaurant and hospitality sectors.

According to the report, the sectors are segmented into commercial and non-commercial; among them, commercial is the leading market. The UAE, particularly cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is a tourism and business hub, attracting millions of visitors annually. The commercial food service sector caters to the diverse tastes and preferences of tourists and business travellers, offering a wide range of dining options from international cuisines to local specialties. The UAE has a substantial expatriate population, representing various nationalities and culinary backgrounds. The commercial sector caters to this diverse population, providing options that appeal to both expatriates and locals. UAE cities are known for their cosmopolitan and diverse dining scenes. The commercial sector often embraces global culinary trends, offering innovative and trendy dining experiences that cater to the preferences of the cosmopolitan population. Shopping malls are a significant part of the UAE's culture and lifestyle. Many commercial food service establishments are located within malls, attracting shoppers and families seeking dining options during their shopping excursions. The UAE has seen substantial growth in food delivery services and online ordering platforms. Commercial food service establishments, including international fast-food chains, actively participate in this trend, offering convenience to customers.

Based on the system, it is segmented into the conventional foodservice system, the centralised foodservice system, the ready-prepared foodservice system, and the assembly-serve foodservice system. Among them, the conventional foodservice system has the highest market share. The United Arab Emirates has over 400 cloud kitchens. To cater to the opportunities in this space, several restaurant operators have repurposed existing facilities into cloud kitchens or have switched to third-party cloud kitchen operators. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are global business hubs, attracting a vast number of international corporations, expatriates, and business travelers. Conventional food service establishments cater to the dining preferences of professionals, executives, and business visitors who seek a range of dining experiences, from upscale to casual. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are major tourist destinations, welcoming millions of visitors annually. The conventional food service sector plays a significant role in accommodating the diverse culinary tastes and cultural preferences of tourists. It includes fine-dining restaurants, international cuisines, and gourmet experiences. These cities are known for their luxury and upscale lifestyles. Conventional food service establishments often cater to a high-end clientele, offering elegant dining experiences, Michelin-starred restaurants, and gourmet cuisine. Dubai and Abu Dhabi host numerous cultural festivals, food festivals, and international events. Conventional food service establishments actively participate in these events, showcasing their culinary expertise.

In terms of service, they are segmented into full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, institutes, and others. In this country, full-service restaurants are the leading market. The UAE, particularly cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, is known for its opulent lifestyle and luxury experiences. Full-service restaurants often cater to this culture by offering elegant and upscale dining environments, gourmet cuisine, and top-notch service that align with the high standards of residents and tourists. The UAE is a major global tourist destination, attracting millions of international visitors each year. Full-service restaurants play a crucial role in catering to the diverse tastes and preferences of tourists by offering a wide range of international cuisines and fine-dining experiences. The UAE's cosmopolitan population consists of people from various nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Full-service restaurants embrace this diversity, offering menus that encompass a broad spectrum of international and local flavours, ensuring there's something for everyone. Full-service restaurants are often chosen for special occasions, celebrations, and gatherings. Their upscale ambiance and extensive menus make them popular choices for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and other memorable events.



Considered in this report:
• Geography: United Arab Emirates
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report:
• United Arab Emirates Food Service market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Sector
• Commercial
• Non- Commercial

By System
• Conventional Foodservice System
• Centralized Foodservice System
• Ready Prepared Foodservice System
• Assembly-Serve Foodservice System
By Type of Restaurant
• Full service restaurants
• Quick service restaurants
• Institutes
• Other

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience:
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Food Service industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.