The UAE food service market attained a value of USD 13.60 Billion in 2025 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of around 9.70% through 2035. A significant factor bolstering growth of the UAE food service market is chef’s table experiences in luxury hotels, where diners enjoy personalized, multi-course meals prepared live by renowned chefs, offering exclusivity, storytelling, and a behind-the-scenes culinary journey tailored to elite clientele. Such factors thereby push the industry to attain a value of USD 34.32 Billion by 2035.
A new trend propelling demand in the UAE food service industry is the luxury desert dining under the stars, amalgamating fine dining experience along with desert ambience. Players such as Sonara Camp and Platinum Heritage offer gourmet multi-course dining in isolated dune locations, frequently utilizing Emirati-fusion cuisine, live music, and environmental considerations. This experiential dining movement appeals to high-spending tourists and residents who desire exclusivity, cultural engagement, and social media shots. It blends hospitality, cuisine, and adventure, thus positioning food as part of a broader lifestyle and heritage experience unique to the UAE.
The UAE food service industry's growth is driven by rising demand for cloud kitchens, tech-enabled delivery platforms, and sustainable dining options. Increasing expat populations and luxury hotel expansions also boost niche markets like plant-based menus and gourmet international cuisines. As per Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the UAE's food service market is facilitated by Expo legacy infrastructure and government regulations. Programs such as the "National Food Security Strategy 2051" help diversify the sources of food and encourage sustainability.
Moreover, the growth of delivery apps such as Careem and Talabat, in addition to increased demand for healthy and international cuisines, is transforming consumer behaviour, thus boosting the growth of the UAE food service market. The introduction of the UAE Food Platform and Food Tech Valley promotes efficiency, traceability, and innovation in the industry. With ongoing investment in smart kitchens and cloud kitchens, the market is evolving to serve tech-oriented, convenience-driven consumers across dine-in, takeaway, and ordering channels.
Base Year
Historical Period
Forecast Period
Compound Annual Growth Rate
9.7%
Value in USD Billion
2026-2035
*this image is indicative*
| UAE Food Service Market Report Summary |
Description |
Value |
|
Base Year |
USD Billion |
2025 |
|
Historical Period |
USD Billion |
2019-2025 |
|
Forecast Period |
USD Billion |
2026-2035 |
|
Market Size 2025 |
USD Billion |
13.60 |
|
Market Size 2035 |
USD Billion |
34.32 |
|
CAGR 2019-2025 |
Percentage |
XX% |
|
CAGR 2026-2035 |
Percentage |
9.70% |
|
CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Region |
Dubai |
10.6% |
|
CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Type |
Cloud Kitchen |
11.1% |
|
CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by Outlet |
Chained |
10.9% |
The food service sector in the UAE is seeing a robust move towards cloud kitchens, fueled by growing demand for delivery and reduced overhead. Chains such as Kitopi and Kitch are growing fast, allowing multiple virtual restaurants to serve from one kitchen. Such technology-enabled kitchens make the running of the business easier while improving scalability without customer-confronting infrastructure. For instance, Kitopi collaborates with international and local brands to provide delivery-only dining experiences that suit busy city lifestyles in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, thus promoting the UAE food service market development.
UAE consumers are looking for elevated experiences even in casual dining. This prompted the emergence of high-end fast-casual restaurants serving gourmet-style fare, locally sourced ingredients, and chef-driven concepts. Chains such as SALT and Pickl are such examples, combining speedy service with high-quality burgers, seafood, and desserts. These stores are targeting affluent millennials and Gen Z consumers seeking settings influnced by social media, brand narratives, and high-level flavor, without the expense or time required for fine dining.
Expo 2020 Dubai-like events have propelled culinary tourism, which has caused food service establishments to provide more experiential and globally influenced menus. Restaurants now try to replicate or focus on culinary themes, chef pop-ups, and interactive meals to serve both tourists and locals. For example, Time Out Market Dubai includes carefully curated international cuisine food experiences. These kinds of platforms not only depict the multicultural nature of Dubai but also generate foot traffic in urban food districts, and revenue is driven through gastronomic tourism, thus shaping new trends in the UAE food service market.
Food service companies in the UAE are embracing digital meal subscriptions and loyalty programs to keep customers engaged. Monthly subscription services with free delivery are provided through apps such as Talabat Pro and Deliveroo Plus, while restaurants implement QR-based systems for customized offers. McDonald's UAE mobile app, for example, features point-based rewards and gamified offers. These digital rewards enhance repeat orders, customer interaction, and data-driven personalization, redefining the way brands compete in quick-service and casual dining segments compete for loyalty.
There is a movement to bring Emirati cuisine into mainstream fast-casual and quick-service models. UAE chefs and local startups are reimagining heritage dishes such as harees, balaleet, and machboos with modern presentation and service styles. Examples of brands that have achieved this include Logma and Karak House, with their localized fast-food appealing to both tourists and UAE nationals. The trend promotes cultural conservation while creating new opportunities in menu innovation, contributing to the differentiation of products in an oversaturated market with international cuisines.
The EMR’s report titled “UAE Food Service Market Report and Forecast 2026-2035” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Type
Key Insight: Full-service restaurants continue to be the leading segment of the UAE food service industry as the country boasts a robust tourism industry, dynamic expatriate community, and preference for high-end dining, thus boosting the UAE food service market expansion. Cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi feature a broad range of international fine-dining chains and celebrity chef-driven restaurants. Restaurants take advantage of consumer preferences of atmosphere, variety of cuisines, and high levels of service, particularly within luxury hotels and lifestyle complexes, which remain popular among residents and travelers.
Market Breakup by Outlet
Key Insight: Chained outlets are strongly influencing the demand in UAE food services through brand recognition, consistency of quality, and widespread presence in malls, airports, and business centers. Chained outlets are favored through effective franchise networks, standardized operations, and technology-enabled services like ordering through apps and rewards programs, thus boosting the UAE food service market development. International players such as McDonald's, Starbucks, and KFC perform well in the UAE catering to local residents and tourists. Their convenient positions and collaborations with delivery platforms increase accessibility, and so the chained restaurants are becoming the go-to option for dependable, fast, and familiar eating experiences.
Market Breakup by Region
Key Insight: Dubai is the dominant region in the UAE food service market, driven by its status as a global tourism and business hub. The city’s diverse population, luxury lifestyle, and high footfall in shopping malls, hotels, and entertainment venues sustain strong demand for varied dining options. Dubai’s events calendar, including Expo 2020 legacy projects and international festivals, continuously attracts visitors, bolstering full-service restaurants, quick-service outlets, and cafés alike.
Full-service restaurants dominate UAE food service, driven by tourism and premium dining demand.
Full-service restaurants are dominating UAE food service market share by type. This growth is driven by rising demand for experiential dining, fusion cuisine innovations, and tech-integrated ordering systems. The influx of luxury tourists and business travelers fuels niche markets like gourmet plant-based options and personalized chef-led dining experiences across the UAE. The presence of international chains and Michelin-starred chefs strengthens the UAE's reputation as a luxury destination for culinary experiences. Dine-in has seen a healthy comeback, with support from campaigns such as Dubai Restaurant Week and Abu Dhabi Culinary Season. Full-service restaurants are also utilizing digital reservation platforms, AI-based menus, and customised experiences to drive customer engagement. As tourism remains on the upswing and hospitality segments grow, this category continues to be a growth driving factor, amalgamating luxury, innovation, and cultural blending in the UAE's competitive restaurant scene, thus pushing the UAE food service market growth.
|
CAGR 2026-2035 - Market by |
Type |
| Cloud Kitchen |
11.1% |
| Quick-service Restaurants |
10.4% |
| Full-service Restaurants |
XX% |
| Cafes and Bars |
XX% |
Chained outlets lead UAE food service growth through consistency, accessibility, and digital integration.
Chained outlets are rapidly gaining traction in the UAE food service market. Their attractions include consistent service, economies of scale in operation, and flexibility to suit local palates through customizable menus. The UAE's high degree of urbanization and dependence on convenience has fuelled the growth of chains in quick-service, café, and casual dining formats. Numerous chains are going in for digital transformation, such as AI-based demand planning, cloud kitchens, and app ordering and delivery integration without glitches. For instance, Starbucks has introduced its mobile order and loyalty application in the UAE, thereby promoting customer loyalty. Rising disposable income and demand for standardized dining experiences are boosting UAE chain restaurants’ presence in high-traffic malls and business districts. Chains leverage loyalty programs, digital ordering, and localized menus, capturing consumers seeking convenience, consistency, and international flavours over standalone eateries.
Dubai dominates UAE food service with tourism, innovation, and diverse dining experiences.
Dubai is both the largest and fastest-growing regional market in the UAE food service industry. Demand is fuelled by its cosmopolitan demographic and vibrant tourism industry for new dining concepts, global cuisines, and upscale experiences. Its hospitality infrastructure investment and strategic vision as a global destination for food reinforce rapid sector growth. The city also leads in adopting technology-driven food service models such as cloud kitchens and digital ordering platforms. Initiatives like Dubai Food Festival attract significant consumer interest and boost market expansion. In February 2025, Dubai International Chamber hosted 415 global food industry leaders at Gulfood 2025, highlighting Dubai's strategic role as a food trade and production hub. The UAE's food services sector is projected to grow from $17.2 billion in 2023 to $22.7 billion by 2028. This growth is driven by a rising population, a flourishing tourism and hospitality industry, and the government's focus on innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for food products. Moreover, Dubai’s strong expat community and business travellers consistently fuel demand across full-service and quick-service restaurants, making it the primary growth engine for the UAE’s food service market.
Leading UAE food service companies seek to take advantage of the country's increasing demand for convenient, diversified, and quality dining experiences. They prioritize menu localization to accommodate cultural tastes, such as halal offerings and local flavours. Adopting digitalization, the UAE food service market players spend considerable amounts on online ordering, delivery, and rewards programs. Health-conscious and sustainability-focused offerings gain more importance. With innovation, large outlet networks, and brand recognition, they aim to gain market share and increase customer interaction in the competitive UAE food service market. An emerging technology in the UAE food service industry is using blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) together to track halal foods. This system guarantees the integrity of halal products by creating an unalterable record of the whole supply chain, from procurement to processing. AI complements this by detecting patterns and anomalies, guaranteeing compliance to halal standards. Such developments cater to consumers' fears regarding food authenticity, particularly in a country where halal certification is of prime importance and enhances confidence in food quality and safety.
Starbucks Corp., which was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Seattle, United States, serves high-quality coffee drinks, teas, and light food in the UAE. It emphasizes the creation of a tailored coffee experience through specialty beverages and regionally inspired menu items in its vast café chain.
Yum! Brands, Inc., established in 1997 in Louisville, United States, runs successful fast-food brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell in the UAE. It offers quick-service food with a focus on fried chicken, pizzas, and Tex-Mex, appealing to local tastes that are varied with fresh promotions.
McDonald's Corporation, founded in 1940 and having its headquarters in Chicago, United States, provides a wide range of burgers, fries, and breakfast to the UAE. It focuses on convenience, consistency, and localization, such as halal-certified products and family-oriented services across its chain.
Restaurant Brands International Inc., established in 2014 and based in Toronto, Canada, owns Burger King, Tim Hortons, and Popeyes in the UAE. It provides flame-grilled burgers, coffee, and southern-style fried chicken, adapting menus to suit UAE consumers' tastes and dietary needs.
*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*
Other key players in the report include Domino’s Pizza, Inc., Al Khaja Group Of Companies, CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., Subway IP LLC, among others.
Download your free sample report on the UAE food service Market forecast 2026-2035 to explore emerging trends, competitive analysis, and growth opportunities. Stay ahead with expert insights into the evolving UAE nutrition landscape and capitalize on market dynamics shaping 2026 and beyond.
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*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
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In 2025, the UAE food service market reached an approximate value of USD 13.60 Billion.
The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.70% between 2026 and 2035.
The key players in the market includes Starbucks Corp., Yum! Brands, Inc., McDonald's Corporation, Restaurant Brands International Inc., Domino’s Pizza, Inc., Al Khaja Group Of Companies, CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., Subway IP LLC, among others.
The lithium iron phosphate battery type is gaining traction and anticipated to expand with a 15.1% CAGR through 2035.
Major strategies propelling the UAE food service market include digitalisation, menu localisation, sustainability efforts, cloud kitchen growth, collaborations, and customer experience improvement through loyalty schemes and contactless offerings.
Key trends in the UAE food service market include QSR expansion, immersive dining, digital ordering, plant-based menus, local sourcing, social media-driven demand, cloud kitchens, fusion cuisine, AI integration, and sustainability focus.
Explore our key highlights of the report and gain a concise overview of key findings, trends, and actionable insights that will empower your strategic decisions.
| REPORT FEATURES | DETAILS |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Scope of the Report |
Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment:
|
| Breakup by Type |
|
| Breakup by Outlet |
|
| Breakup by Region |
|
| Market Dynamics |
|
| Competitive Landscape |
|
| Companies Covered |
|
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