Dubai has secured its place as a top global food tourism destination, ranking second worldwide in 2024 according to the annual Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report published by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The emirate trails only Paris while outranking internationally acclaimed culinary cities including London, New York, and Tokyo.
Dubai's Rise as a Global Food Tourism Destination
The 2024 Dubai Gastronomy Industry Report — the third edition published by DET — charts the emirate's rapid ascent as a gastronomy capital. Dubai issued 1,200 new restaurant licences during 2024, a figure that reflects both strong investor confidence and the city's multicultural character. Those new concepts draw on the culinary traditions of more than 200 nationalities that call Dubai home.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment at the Department of Economy and Tourism, said the report reaffirms Dubai's leading position as a global centre for gastronomy and culinary arts, highlighting the diversity of its food offerings and unique restaurant concepts inspired by the city's residents.
Dining Variety: Dubai Beats Paris and Singapore
One standout finding is Dubai's performance in dining variety. In that specific category, the emirate ranked first worldwide, surpassing both Paris and Singapore. The result underscores how the city's blend of international cuisines — from Emirati and South Asian to Mediterranean and East Asian — creates an unmatched breadth of dining options.
What Diners Think: Satisfaction by the Numbers
A survey of more than 1,100 Dubai food enthusiasts, conducted between September and October 2024, found overall restaurant customer satisfaction at 62%. Drilling down into individual categories:
- Dining variety: 70% satisfaction (+3% year-on-year) - World-class chefs: 64% (+2%) - Innovation: 61% (+2%) - Cultural heritage: 58% (+1%)
What UAE Consumers Prioritise
Safety regulations top the list of concerns for UAE food consumers, followed by dining choices (49%), decor (42%), and cost-effectiveness (38%). Social media platforms are a decisive influence: 70% of UAE diners rely on them for restaurant recommendations.
Google Search Surge Signals Growing Appetite
Interest in Dubai's food scene is not confined to residents. Food-related Google searches linked to Dubai reached 741,500 in the first seven months of 2024 — a 23.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The jump reflects growing international awareness of Dubai as a food tourism destination and signals strong organic discovery potential for the emirate's hospitality sector.
