The UAE’s online food delivery market is projected to expand from $2.5 billion in 2024 to $3.9 billion by 2030, driven by growing mobile-first ordering and shifting consumer dining habits, according to data from Syrve MENA.

The restaurant software provider said mobile ordering now accounts for around 70% of delivery transactions across the Middle East and North Africa, following a 30% year-on-year increase. The trend is being supported by high smartphone penetration, convenience-driven lifestyles and widespread use of delivery platforms.

Dubai remains a key contributor to market growth, with more than 13,000 restaurants and cafés representing about 60% of the UAE’s food outlets. Syrve data shows that aggregator platforms, including Talabat, process roughly 75% of delivery orders, while the remainder are handled through restaurants’ own digital channels.

As competition intensifies, operators are investing in technology to improve efficiency and protect margins. These investments include integrated point-of-sale systems, loyalty programs, call-center tools and self-service kiosks. Syrve said kiosks, once limited to large quick-service chains, are increasingly being adopted by smaller venues, where digital upselling can lift average order values by 15 to 30%.

Syrve expects mobile-based delivery to remain central to foodservice strategies as operators pursue double-digit growth in an increasingly competitive market.

Consumer discovery is also shifting, with platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat playing a larger role in driving dining choices through viral trends and limited-time offerings.

Regulatory and lifestyle factors are shaping the sector, with calorie labelling in Saudi Arabia prompting menu updates and sustainability and health gaining prominence. The UAE’s plant-based food segment is estimated to be growing at an annual rate of 8.6 per cent.

Middle Eastern cuisine continues to lead the UAE’s full-service restaurant market, followed by Asian concepts, while fast-casual and quick-service formats remain the fastest growing. Seasonal periods, including Ramadan and summer, also drive higher online order volumes.

Looking ahead, Syrve expects deeper social media integration, wider use of AI for inventory and pricing, and increased pressure on operators to demonstrate nutritional transparency and environmental responsibility.