UAE Restaurant Industry Guide

essential insights, costs, and trends shaping the UAE restaurant industry

Running a restaurant in the UAE isn’t simple. Every few months, something new comes along — new dining trends, higher ingredient costs, changes in customer habits, or new rules for operations. It’s a lot to keep up with when you’re focused on serving great food and giving guests a good experience. This page exists to make things a bit easier. You’ll find the kind of information that actually helps: UAE restaurant insights, licensing basics, cost ranges, and food trends gathered in one reliable place.

We created this guide because good decisions start with good information. The United Arab Emirates restaurant scene moves quickly, and owners like you deserve a single spot where everything important is easy to check and understand. Whether you’ve just opened your first place or you’ve been managing restaurants for years, this page was built to help you stay informed and ready for what’s next.

This guide was last updated on: November 15, 2025

Restaurant Market Insights Across the UAE

The UAE restaurant market is diverse and fast-moving, with each city offering its own dining culture, growth pace, and customer trends. Below is a snapshot of the country’s most active restaurant hubs, giving you a quick look at where the strongest opportunities and developments are happening.

Dubai

UAE’s Culinary Capital

Population: ~4 million

Number of Restaurants: 13,000+

Restaurant Density: High

Dining Personality: A global dining hub powered by tourism and high customer expectations.

Emerging Trend: Rapid adoption of bilingual digital menus and sustainable packaging.

Abu Dhabi

Steady, Family-Driven Dining

Population: ~4.1 million

Number of Restaurants: 8,500+

Restaurant Density: Moderate

Dining Personality: Family-oriented and value-conscious, with strong hotel and corporate dining presence.

Emerging Trend: Growing popularity of Emirati fusion cuisine and wellness-oriented menus.

Sharjah

Affordable and Local

Population: ~1.8 million

Number of Restaurants: 3,500+

Restaurant Density: Moderate

Dining Personality: Traditional and budget-friendly, thriving on local repeat customers.

Emerging Trend: Mall cafés and quick-service dining are on the rise.

Ajman

Emerging Market with Local Roots

Population: ~600,000

Number of Restaurants: 1,500+

Restaurant Density: Moderate

Dining Personality: Mix of family-run eateries and expanding quick-service franchises.

Emerging Trend: Local delivery expansion and improved food court concepts.

Ras Al Khaimah

Tourism and Resort Dining

Population: ~400,000

Number of Restaurants: 900+

Restaurant Density: Moderate

Dining Personality: Tourism-driven with growing fine dining and resort demand.

Emerging Trend: Rising focus on premium beachside dining and eco-conscious operations.

Food Delivery & Ordering Platforms in UAE

Food delivery apps have become an essential part of the UAE restaurant industry, connecting thousands of restaurants with customers every day. This section highlights the country’s most active delivery and online ordering platforms, helping restaurant owners understand where their business can gain the most visibility and consistent orders.

Deliveroo

Known for premium customer experience and reliable driver performance.

Coverage: Mainly Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Commission Range: 25% – 35% per order

Talabat

The largest food delivery network in the UAE with strong driver logistics and brand recognition.

Coverage: Active across all Emirates

Commission Range: 20% – 30% per order

Careem Food

Part of the Careem Super App ecosystem. Customers can order food and rides in one place.

Coverage: Major UAE cities

Commission Range: 15% – 25% per order

Choosing the Best Online Menu for Your Restaurant in UAE

Running a restaurant in the UAE means adapting fast to changing guest expectations. Diners now prefer to check menus on their phones — before visiting, while seated, or when sharing recommendations online. A well-designed online menu doesn’t just display your dishes; it strengthens your brand, saves time, and creates a smoother experience for every customer.

Look for the following features:

• Instant menu updates so prices, items, or photos can be changed in seconds.
• Bilingual Arabic and English menus to serve the UAE’s diverse audience.
• Allergen and dietary icons for transparency and guest confidence.
• QR-code access for effortless viewing at the table.
• Clean, mobile-friendly design that highlights your food visuals beautifully.
• Tools and features that help you grow your sales and Instagram followers.

Many restaurants still rely on PDF uploads or printed menus that quickly become outdated. Modern online menus let you update information anytime, reduce printing costs, and ensure consistency across websites and delivery links. Take a step forward.

How Menuviel Helps UAE Restaurants

UAE Food & Dining Trends

The UAE’s food and dining landscape is constantly evolving, influenced by changing tastes, cultural diversity, and digital discovery. The insights below are based on the latest Google search data, showing which cuisines and dining experiences are currently attracting the most attention from diners across the Emirates.

Most-Searched Foods and Cuisines in the UAE

Restaurant Salaries and Staff Wages in the UAE

The following table provides an overview of average monthly salaries for common restaurant roles across the UAE. These figures reflect typical wage ranges based on market data and employer reports from major hospitality hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Tips/bonuses are not included.

Useful Links for UAE Restaurant Owners

The links below connect restaurant owners in the UAE with verified government portals, licensing departments, and professional associations. From food safety rules and VAT registration to culinary training and industry events, these official resources help restaurants stay compliant, informed, and connected within the country’s fast-growing hospitality sector.

Free AI Tools and Expert Resources for Restaurants in the UAE

Explore free digital tools and practical resources designed to help UAE restaurant owners save time, improve menus, and boost visibility online. Each AI tool below was created by Menuviel to support everyday restaurant operations — from writing better dish descriptions to managing customer feedback and optimizing food photos. You’ll also find a selection of expert blog articles with insights, strategies, and local market guidance.

Restaurant Menu Item Description Generator

Create engaging and customer-friendly dish descriptions in seconds.

Restaurant Google Review Reply Generator

Respond to customer reviews quickly with professional, AI-crafted replies.

Restaurant New Menu Item Advisor

Discover fresh dish ideas and menu additions tailored to your location and concept.

Food Delivery App Review Responder

Reply to delivery app reviews fast and effectively to protect your reputation.

Restaurant Menu Success Calculator

Analyze your online menu with AI. Gain valuable insights and actionable tips.

Coming Soon

Restaurant Menu Item Photo Optimizer

Enhance food photos instantly for menus, websites, and social media.

Coming Soon

Restaurant Instagram Post Generator

Generate ready-to-use images and captions to boost your restaurant’s visibility.

Coming Soon

Blog Posts for Restaurant Growth in the United Arab Emirates