For a few weeks each year, eating out in Dubai gets both better and cheaper — that is the Dubai Food Festival. It turns the city’s restaurant scene into one giant, discounted tasting menu, from AED 125 set lunches at big-name restaurants to free beachside food villages. Here is how the festival works, what is on, and how to make the most of it.
Quick Reference
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| When | Annually in the spring (the 2026 edition’s Dubai Restaurant Week ran 1–17 May 2026) |
| Flagship event | Dubai Restaurant Week — 125+ restaurants, set menus at AED 125 (2-course lunch) / AED 250 (3-course dinner) |
| Also on | e& Beach Canteen, Hidden Gems, AED 10 Dishes initiative |
| Separate festival | Taste of Dubai — a ticketed 3-day festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre (Feb) |
| Info & bookings | Official Visit Dubai channels |
What Is the Dubai Food Festival?
Run by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, the Dubai Food Festival (DFF) is a city-wide celebration of the emirate’s dining scene, held each spring. It is less a single venue and more a season of activations spread across the city — the headline being fixed-price menus at restaurants that would normally cost a great deal more.
Dubai Restaurant Week — the Main Event
The flagship is Dubai Restaurant Week, when 125+ restaurants offer specially curated set menus at fixed prices — typically AED 125 for a two-course lunch and AED 250 for a three-course dinner. It is the single best chance of the year to try the city’s higher-end tables without the higher-end bill. The 2026 edition ran 1–17 May.
Beyond Restaurant Week
The festival’s most family-friendly draw is the e& Beach Canteen, which turns a stretch of coastline into a pop-up culinary village — food trucks, restaurant stalls, live music and entertainment zones, with free entry. Add the Hidden Gems spotlight on under-the-radar eateries and the AED 10 Dishes initiative, and there is something at every budget.
Taste of Dubai — Not the Same Thing
Worth clearing up: Taste of Dubai is a separate, ticketed three-day festival held at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre (in February), with celebrity-chef demos, restaurant pop-ups and live music. It sits in the same foodie calendar but is its own event with its own tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Dubai Food Festival?
Annually in the spring. The 2026 edition’s Dubai Restaurant Week ran 1–17 May 2026. Confirm the next dates via Visit Dubai.
How much are Dubai Restaurant Week menus?
Typically AED 125 for a two-course lunch and AED 250 for a three-course dinner, across 125+ participating restaurants.
Is the e& Beach Canteen free?
Yes — entry to the Beach Canteen is free; you pay only for what you eat and drink.
What is the AED 10 Dishes initiative?
A festival programme where participating outlets offer signature dishes for AED 10 during DFF.
Is Taste of Dubai part of the Dubai Food Festival?
No — Taste of Dubai is a separate ticketed festival at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, usually in February.
How do I book Restaurant Week?
Reserve directly with participating restaurants; details are listed on the official Visit Dubai channels during the festival.
Dates, prices and details are correct at the time of writing and subject to change. Confirm with Visit Dubai before booking.
