United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market Size

The United Arab Emirates foodservice market is experiencing significant growth, with its market size expanding rapidly over the forecast period. Full-service restaurants dominate the market, particularly those offering Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines, reflecting the country's culinary preferences. The presence of a large expatriate population has diversified the market, introducing various international cuisines. The sector is undergoing a transformation, with a notable shift towards chef-driven dining and fine dining experiences. Cafes and bars are also witnessing substantial growth, driven by the increasing popularity of specialty tea and coffee. Additionally, the cloud kitchen segment is emerging as the fastest-growing area, fueled by the rise in online food delivery services.

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United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market Summary
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svg icon Study Period 2017 - 2029
svg icon Market Size (2024) USD 19.98 Billion
svg icon Market Size (2029) USD 43.98 Billion
svg icon Largest Share by Foodservice Type Full Service Restaurants
svg icon CAGR (2024 - 2029) 17.10 %
svg icon Fastest Growing by Foodservice Type Quick Service Restaurants

Major Players

United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Key Players

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United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market Analysis

The United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market size is estimated at 19.98 billion USD in 2024, and is expected to reach 43.98 billion USD by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 17.10% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

19.98 Billion

Market Size in 2024 (USD)

43.98 Billion

Market Size in 2029 (USD)

5.20 %

CAGR (2017-2023)

17.10 %

CAGR (2024-2029)

Largest Segment by Foodservice Type

41.58 %

value share, Full Service Restaurants, 2023

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Demand for a comprehensive and luxurious dining experience, including table service, ambiance, and gourmet cuisine, has helped in catering to the largest share of the FSR segment.

Largest Segment by Outlet Type

60.48 %

value share, Independent Outlets, 2023

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High demand for unique and localized dining experiences that offer a wide variety of cuisines and price points is making independent outlets a preferred choice in the region.

Fastest-growing segment by Foodservice Type

18.85 %

Projected CAGR, Quick Service Restaurants, 2024-2029

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Factors, including low overhead costs, streamlined operations, and increased demand for online food delivery services, are helping the cloud kitchen segment to surpass others.

Fastest-growing segment by Outlet Type

17.56 %

Projected CAGR, Chained Outlets, 2024-2029

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Increasing demand for reliable and consistent dining options by consumers and the competitive pricing by chained outlets are making them grow faster in the region.

Leading Market Player

0.45 %

market share, M.H. Alshaya Co. WLL, 2022

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The company has been operating in the UAE since 1991 and developed local expertise in the market. It operates brands like Starbucks, Shake Shack, and The Cheesecake Factory.

The high ex-pat population in the country and the rise in online food delivery are fuelling the market growth

  • Full service restaurants accounted for the largest share of the market in 2022, with Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine accounting for a 72.60% share. Arabic cuisine, which includes dishes like hummus, shawarma, and falafel, is especially popular in the United Arab Emirates and is frequently offered at many restaurants and food establishments around the country. Due to the large ex-pat population in the United Arab Emirates, there are also many international cuisines available, such as Italian, Japanese, and Chinese. The tendency of restaurants to move toward chef-driven dining has been a key transformation in the post-pandemic UAE F&B sector. The sector is undergoing transition, which is greatly aiding in the promotion of fine dining in the country.
  • Cafes and bars are projected to register a CAGR of 13.10% by value in the forecast period. The growth will be supported by the rising consumption of tea and coffee in the country, especially in the specialist tea/coffee sub-segment. A large international ex-pat population has cross-pollinated the UAE market with third to fifth-wave coffee shop concepts from the United States, Europe, and Australia. The United Arab Emirates has the potential and the opportunities to reinvigorate the nation as a center for specialist coffee in the Middle East from all stakeholders.
  • The cloud kitchen segment is the fastest-growing among foodservice types, anticipated to register a value CAGR of 17.34% during the forecast period. The growth will be aided by the increasing online food deliveries led by platform-to-consumer services, such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo. 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.
United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market

United Arab Emirates Foodservice Industry Segmentation

Cafes & Bars, Cloud Kitchen, Full Service Restaurants, Quick Service Restaurants are covered as segments by Foodservice Type. Chained Outlets, Independent Outlets are covered as segments by Outlet. Leisure, Lodging, Retail, Standalone, Travel are covered as segments by Location.

  • Full service restaurants accounted for the largest share of the market in 2022, with Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine accounting for a 72.60% share. Arabic cuisine, which includes dishes like hummus, shawarma, and falafel, is especially popular in the United Arab Emirates and is frequently offered at many restaurants and food establishments around the country. Due to the large ex-pat population in the United Arab Emirates, there are also many international cuisines available, such as Italian, Japanese, and Chinese. The tendency of restaurants to move toward chef-driven dining has been a key transformation in the post-pandemic UAE F&B sector. The sector is undergoing transition, which is greatly aiding in the promotion of fine dining in the country.
  • Cafes and bars are projected to register a CAGR of 13.10% by value in the forecast period. The growth will be supported by the rising consumption of tea and coffee in the country, especially in the specialist tea/coffee sub-segment. A large international ex-pat population has cross-pollinated the UAE market with third to fifth-wave coffee shop concepts from the United States, Europe, and Australia. The United Arab Emirates has the potential and the opportunities to reinvigorate the nation as a center for specialist coffee in the Middle East from all stakeholders.
  • The cloud kitchen segment is the fastest-growing among foodservice types, anticipated to register a value CAGR of 17.34% during the forecast period. The growth will be aided by the increasing online food deliveries led by platform-to-consumer services, such as Uber Eats and Deliveroo. 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.
Foodservice Type
Cafes & Bars
By Cuisine
Bars & Pubs
Cafes
Juice/Smoothie/Desserts Bars
Specialist Coffee & Tea Shops
Cloud Kitchen
Full Service Restaurants
By Cuisine
Asian
European
Latin American
Middle Eastern
North American
Other FSR Cuisines
Quick Service Restaurants
By Cuisine
Bakeries
Burger
Ice Cream
Meat-based Cuisines
Pizza
Other QSR Cuisines
Outlet
Chained Outlets
Independent Outlets
Location
Leisure
Lodging
Retail
Standalone
Travel
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United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market Size Summary

The United Arab Emirates foodservice market is experiencing significant growth, driven by a diverse culinary landscape and evolving consumer preferences. Full-service restaurants dominate the market, with a strong emphasis on Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines, particularly Arabic dishes. The presence of a large expatriate population has also led to the availability of international cuisines such as Italian, Japanese, and Chinese. The post-pandemic shift towards chef-driven dining has further transformed the sector, promoting fine dining experiences. Cafes and bars are witnessing robust growth, fueled by the rising popularity of specialty tea and coffee, influenced by global coffee trends. The market is also seeing a surge in cloud kitchens, which are rapidly expanding due to the increasing demand for online food delivery services.

The foodservice industry in the UAE is characterized by a fragmented market structure, with major players like Americana Restaurants International PLC, Apparel Group, LuLu Group International, M.H. Alshaya Co. WLL, and The Emirates Group holding a small share. The market's growth is supported by the thriving tourism industry, with quick service restaurants (QSRs) catering to the influx of international visitors. The average order value is highest in full-service restaurants, reflecting the preferences of tourists and locals for premium dining experiences. The rise of cloud kitchens, which offer cost-effective and flexible dining solutions, is reshaping the market dynamics. Innovations such as robotics and intelligent automation are being integrated into the foodservice operations, enhancing efficiency and customer experience.

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United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET SEGMENTATION (includes market size in Value in USD, Forecasts up to 2029 and analysis of growth prospects)

    1. 1.1 Foodservice Type

      1. 1.1.1 Cafes & Bars

        1. 1.1.1.1 By Cuisine

          1. 1.1.1.1.1 Bars & Pubs

          2. 1.1.1.1.2 Cafes

          3. 1.1.1.1.3 Juice/Smoothie/Desserts Bars

          4. 1.1.1.1.4 Specialist Coffee & Tea Shops

      2. 1.1.2 Cloud Kitchen

      3. 1.1.3 Full Service Restaurants

        1. 1.1.3.1 By Cuisine

          1. 1.1.3.1.1 Asian

          2. 1.1.3.1.2 European

          3. 1.1.3.1.3 Latin American

          4. 1.1.3.1.4 Middle Eastern

          5. 1.1.3.1.5 North American

          6. 1.1.3.1.6 Other FSR Cuisines

      4. 1.1.4 Quick Service Restaurants

        1. 1.1.4.1 By Cuisine

          1. 1.1.4.1.1 Bakeries

          2. 1.1.4.1.2 Burger

          3. 1.1.4.1.3 Ice Cream

          4. 1.1.4.1.4 Meat-based Cuisines

          5. 1.1.4.1.5 Pizza

          6. 1.1.4.1.6 Other QSR Cuisines

    2. 1.2 Outlet

      1. 1.2.1 Chained Outlets

      2. 1.2.2 Independent Outlets

    3. 1.3 Location

      1. 1.3.1 Leisure

      2. 1.3.2 Lodging

      3. 1.3.3 Retail

      4. 1.3.4 Standalone

      5. 1.3.5 Travel

United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market Size FAQs

The United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market size is expected to reach USD 19.98 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 17.10% to reach USD 43.98 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates Foodservice Market size is expected to reach USD 19.98 billion.

UAE Food Service Market Report Snapshots

United Arab Emirates Foodservice Industry Size - Market Trends, Report & Forecast up to 2029