Dubai Food Festival (DFF), the largest annual culinary celebration in the Middle East, is scheduled to return next month to celebrate its 10th edition with a thrilling line-up of gastronomic events and experiences.
From April 21 to May 7, the city will be transformed into a haven for foodies as the city celebrates its dining scene during a 17-day festival.
Dubai’s food scene has undergone an incredible transformation over the past decade, establishing the city as a leading global gastronomy hub and reinforcing its position as a world food capital.
The number of restaurants in the city has more than doubled during this period, from approximately 5,500 in 2013 to more than 13,000 in 2023, indicating the significant expansion of the food sector.
Dubai is home to food trucks, beach-side eateries, pop-up dining events, farm-to-table dining experiences and quirky food halls.
These diverse and unique gastro experiences are celebrated at DFF.
In addition, the city’s exceptional culinary talent has been recognised by global awards such as the Michelin Guide Dubai and MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Dubai Restaurant Week made its debut during DFF 2016, providing exclusive dining experiences at some of the city’s top restaurants and offering a chance to savour the diverse culinary offerings at value prices.
The gastronomy sector in the city has experienced significant growth, particularly in the thriving homegrown culinary industry that is putting the city on the global culinary map.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “The 2023 edition of the Dubai Food Festival will be the biggest and best yet. As it seeks to highlight Dubai as a global gastronomy hub, the festival showcases the best of Dubai’s gastronomy scene, offering affordable prices and shining a spotlight on the city’s top culinary talent and food capabilities.
“The 10th edition of the festival will feature a mix of old favourites and new features, providing the perfect opportunity to celebrate its journey over the last decade and explore the city’s diverse culinary scene while highlighting our partners in the F&B industry.”
Dubai Food Festival 2023 highlights
- Culinary Workshops: Masterclasses with acclaimed chefs, caviar and oyster-shucking classes, children’s cooking sessions, foodie tours, top chefs’ tables, food tours
- Dubai Restaurant Week: The festival favourite returns from April 27 to May 8, with exclusive set menus and discounted prices at 50 of the city’s top restaurants, including 3 Fils, Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura, Gordan Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen, Demon Duck by Alvin Leung, Ariana’s Persian Kitchen, Akira Back, Coya, Clap, Roka, Carnival by Tresind, and Reif Japanese Kushiyaki
- Etisalat Beach Canteen: Located behind Sunset Mall, the popular canteen makes a comeback during the 17-day event, showcasing homegrown foodie outlets
- 10 Dirham Dish: To celebrate the festival’s 10th anniversary, participating restaurants and cafés will offer their classic and signature dishes for AED10 throughout the festival