Dubai (WAM): Dubai’s sizzling food scene has nabbed it the title of the world’s second-best gastronomy capital – just behind Paris – as 1,200 new restaurant licences were dished out in 2024. The emirate’s third annual Gastronomy Industry Report, cooked up by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, reveals it’s outshining foodie giants like London, New York, and Tokyo, thanks to a smorgasbord of cuisines from 200 nationalities.
From swanky fine dining to quirky street eats, Dubai’s multicultural vibe is a feast for the senses. A survey of 1,100 food fans in September and October 2024 showed 62% can’t get enough, with satisfaction soaring for variety (70%), innovation (61%), heritage (58%), and top-notch chefs (64%). Hygiene tops the must-have list at 50%, followed by cuisine type (49%) and vibe (43%).
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, bragged: “Our food game’s a cornerstone of Dubai’s big tourism push – it’s why we’re a global culinary kingpin!” Social media’s the secret sauce, with 70% of UAE diners scrolling for inspo, while Google searches for Dubai’s eats spiked 23.5% to 741,500 in 2024’s first seven months.
Outranking rivals in dining variety, Dubai’s only beaten by Paris overall – and it’s not slowing down. With online reviews steering 34% of special occasion picks, this desert gem’s serving up a recipe for success.
