Insights: Why Dubai is the rising food capital of the world

In an age where culinary capital is often measured by heritage, think Parisian bistros or New York delis, it’s time to recognise Dubai’s rapid ascent. A decade ago, such a claim might have seemed audacious. Today, Dubai is poised to outrank Paris, London, Tokyo, and New York as the world’s leading food capital.

Dubai welcomed a record-breaking 18.7 million overnight visitors in 2024, a 9.1 per cebt increase over 2023, according to data from Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), as cited by Cavendish Maxwell.

Dubai‘s hotel occupancy levels reached 81 per cent in the first half of 2025, marking a 4.5 per cent increase year-on-year, whilst international visitor numbers climbed 6.1 per cent to almost 10 million between January and June, according to research from real estate advisory group Cavendish Maxwell.

The tourism sector contributed an estimated Dhs236bn to the UAE economy, around 12 per cent of national GDP, based on figures from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), referenced in Cavendish Maxwell’s UAE Market Report. This growth is reflected in aviation figures: Dubai International Airport processed over 92 million passengers in 2024, its highest annual total on record, according to Dubai Airports data reported by Global Media Insight. These figures signal a business environment ripe for international F&B ventures and bold hospitality investment.

Investment in hospitality infrastructure

The UAE’s hospitality market is forecast to expand from $53bn in 2024 to $69.6 bn by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5 per cent, according to industry projections from Mordor Intelligence. Dubai is expected to lead this growth, with nearly 11,300 new hotel rooms set to open by 2027 and the creation of over 15,000 hospitality jobs, based on figures from

Knight Frank cited in Cavendish Maxwell’s UAE Market Report. This expansion aligns with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets positioning the country among the world’s top three global tourism destinations by 2033, as outlined by the UAE Ministry of Economy and referenced in KPMG’s market analysis.

The UAE’s food and beverage sector

According to the Food & Beverage Market Trends report by Ollen Group, the UAE’s food and beverage sector is projected to reach $44bn bby 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 17.1 per cent.

A separate forecast published by Sol Mercado indicates the industry is expected to surpass $37bn by 2025, with a CAGR of around 6.9 per cent.

These projections are grounded in several broader growth drivers, including:

• The UAE’s strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and logistical capabilities.
• A highly diversified tourism base exhibiting strong demand for new culinary experiences.
• Business-friendly regulations such as free zones and pro-investment policies, which attract global F&B brands.

Innovative ecosystems

The emirate’s agritech incubators are playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of food production, supporting ventures in vertical farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, and AI-enabled agriculture. By accelerating innovation in controlled-environment farming and smart irrigation systems, these programs not only strengthen Dubai’s food security but also reduce reliance on imports in line with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051.

Many of these incubators are strategically linked with research institutions and global technology partners, ensuring that knowledge transfer, advanced R&D, and pilot programmes are embedded into the ecosystem. Beyond improving yields and reducing water consumption, the initiatives are driving sustainable urban farming models that can be scaled regionally and globally. The result is an emerging pipeline of homegrown solutions that meet the dual objectives of commercial viability and environmental stewardship, positioning Dubai as a hub for agritech innovation across the Middle East.

Competitive market dynamics

Dubai’s culinary scene is among the world’s densest, with approximately 13,000 food and beverage establishments, placing it second only to Paris in per-capita restaurant density. This highlights the emirate’s global ambition, but the sheer scale also creates challenges: escalating rents, rising operational costs, and thin margins remain pressing realities for operators.

Despite these pressures, the market continues to expand, supported by strong consumer demand, evolving tastes, and Dubai’s infrastructure that enables rapid adaptation to global culinary trends. Within the broader GCC, the emirate is viewed as the central hub, its multicultural audience, connectivity, and investment in food innovation positioning it at the forefront of regional food and beverage growth.

The business case for Dubai as the next food capital

For B2B stakeholders, hotel chains, restaurateurs, investors, and service providers—the rationale is clear:

• Scale & spending: Visitors to Dubai spend more per capita than in many other leading tourism markets, according to [AP News, Dubai’s tourism revenue report, 2024].
• Infrastructure & access: Dubai’s free zones, logistics networks, and business-friendly regulations make it easier for companies to scale operations, as outlined in the [Ollen Group UAE F&B Market Report, 2023] and [Fortune Business Insights, Food Service Market Forecast 2024–2032].
• Innovation pipeline: The city is advancing agritech, AI-operated kitchens, and smart food production technologies, with initiatives supported by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Dubai Future Foundation.
• Future growth: Aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the economy in 10 years and place Dubai among the top three global cities for tourism and business by 2033 ([Government of Dubai, 2023]) – the F&B sector is positioned as a core driver of diversification and global competitiveness.

Dubai’s culinary future is bright

The Middle East is already at the epicentre of hospitality and F&B, thanks to its vision, investment, and appetite for excellence. Here in Dubai, the stage is set to claim its place as the world’s food capital.

For businesses ready to shape culinary future stories, Dubai offers not just opportunity, but leadership.

The writer is the co-founder and vice chairman of Sunset Hospitality Group.