The short answer: Dubai had 29,303 food establishments in mid-2026, and 1,898 new ones opened in the first half of the year, about ten a day, according to Dubai Municipality figures reported by Gulf News. The city also welcomed a record 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025. It is a large market, and a crowded one.
Figures were checked on 13 November 2026 and will change. Where a number comes from a market research firm it is labelled as an estimate, and where sources disagree we show both.
Key points
- 29,303 food establishments in Dubai at the end of H1 2026 (all types, not only restaurants).
- 1,898 new food establishments opened in H1 2026, about 10.5 a day.
- 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, up 5%.
- Dubai’s population passed 4.8 million in September 2026.
- The MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 lists 122 restaurants.
- 70% of UAE diners consult social media, according to a Dubai tourism department survey.
How many restaurants are there in Dubai?
The official figure counts all food establishments, which includes restaurants, cafés, cafeterias, bakeries, catering and food shops. We could not find a recent official count of restaurants and cafés alone.
| Measure | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total food establishments | 29,303 | End of H1 2026 | Dubai Municipality, via Gulf News |
| New food establishments | 1,898 (about 316 a month) | H1 2026 | Same |
| New food establishments | About 2,336 | H1 2025 | Dubai Media Office |
| Total food establishments | 26,000 | June 2024 | Dubai Municipality, via Gulf News |
| New restaurant licences | Almost 1,200 | 2024 | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism |
Fewer new establishments opened in the first half of 2026 than in the first half of 2025, though the total still rose.
Market size
Research firms disagree on the size of the UAE foodservice market, so both estimates are shown.
| Source | Estimate for 2025 | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Mordor Intelligence | USD 23.21 billion | USD 61.21 billion by 2031 |
| IMARC Group | USD 18.60 billion | USD 56.09 billion by 2034 |
Customers: residents and visitors
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International overnight visitors, 2025 | 19.59 million, up 5% from 18.72 million | Dubai Media Office, 9 February 2026 |
| Visitors in December 2025 | 2.04 million, the first month above 2 million | Same |
| Average hotel occupancy, 2025 | 80.7%, across 154,264 rooms in 827 establishments | Same |
| Population of Dubai | 4,807,185 on 28 September 2026 | Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, via Gulf News |
| Population at end of 2025 | 4,580,300 | Same |
Guides and rankings
| Guide | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 | 122 restaurants: 2 three-star, 4 two-star, 14 one-star, 22 Bib Gourmand | Khaleej Times, 6 October 2026 |
| MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2025 | 119 restaurants | Michelin |
| MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2024 | 106 restaurants | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism |
| MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2023 | 90 restaurants | Michelin |
| Gault&Millau UAE 2026 | 203 establishments | Gault&Millau |
| MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 | 25 UAE restaurants in the top 50 | The National, 3 February 2026 |
How diners choose
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism surveyed more than 1,100 people for its 2024 gastronomy report:
- Residents visit restaurants 2.5 times a week on average.
- 70% of UAE diners consult social media.
- Hygiene was the top factor in choosing where to eat, cited by 50%, followed by cuisine at 49%.
- Dining-related online searches in Dubai rose 23.5% in the first seven months of 2024.
YouGov surveys add more detail:
- 59% of UAE residents dine out at least weekly, and 31% of diners say they eat out less often than a year ago (YouGov, October 2025).
- 75% feel restaurant prices have risen over the past year (same survey).
- About 41% of UAE respondents use online reviews to choose where to eat (YouGov, February 2024).
What this means for a restaurant
- Standing out is the main job. With around ten new food businesses a day, being good is not enough to be noticed.
- Social media and search decide discovery. Most diners check one or both before choosing.
- Residents are the base. Visitors are a bonus; regulars who eat out several times a week pay the rent.
- Value matters more. Diners feel prices have risen, so offers and clear pricing carry weight.
See our restaurant marketing, restaurant SEO and social media management services, and our guide to how much a restaurant should spend on marketing.
Frequently asked questions
How many restaurants are there in Dubai?
Dubai had 29,303 food establishments at the end of the first half of 2026, according to Dubai Municipality figures reported by Gulf News. This counts all food businesses, not only restaurants and cafés. We could not find a recent official count of restaurants alone.
How many new restaurants open in Dubai each year?
In the first half of 2026, 1,898 new food establishments opened in Dubai, about 10.5 a day. In the first half of 2025 the figure was about 2,336.
How many Michelin restaurants are there in Dubai?
The MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 lists 122 restaurants, including 2 with three stars, 4 with two stars and 14 with one star.
How many tourists visit Dubai?
Dubai received 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, up 5% on 2024, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
How often do people in the UAE eat out?
A Dubai tourism department survey found residents visit restaurants 2.5 times a week on average. A 2025 YouGov survey found 59% of UAE residents dine out at least weekly.
Do UAE diners use social media to choose restaurants?
Yes. The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism reported that 70% of UAE diners consult social media.
Sources
- Gulf News: more than 10 new food businesses a day in Dubai (17 July 2026)
- Dubai Media Office: food inspections in H1 2025 (30 July 2025)
- Gulf News: 1,500 new food establishments in early 2024 (21 June 2024)
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism: gastronomy industry in 2024 (via Zawya)
- Mordor Intelligence: UAE foodservice market
- IMARC Group: UAE food service market
- Dubai Media Office: tourism in 2025 (9 February 2026)
- Gulf News: Dubai population (29 September 2026)
- Khaleej Times: MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2026 (6 October 2026)
- Michelin: MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2025
- Michelin: MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2023
- Gault&Millau UAE 2026
- The National: MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 (3 February 2026)
- YouGov: UAE dining trends 2025 (24 October 2025)
- YouGov: online reviews for restaurants (9 February 2024)
Disclaimer: This article shares general guidance based on Food On Focus Media's experience as a Dubai F&B creative agency. It is for information only and is not a substitute for advice tailored to your specific brand, menu or market.
