DUBAI AND GOOGLE LAUNCH ‘MAP YOUR DUBAI: INSIDER EDITION’ TO BOOST LOCAL DINING

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, in partnership with Google, has unveiled ‘Map Your Dubai: Insider Edition,’ a campaign spotlighting local dining. By engaging Google Local Guides to curate restaurant lists and inviting public voting, the initiative aims to strengthen community participation, elevate homegrown businesses, and enhance F&B sector visibility.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), in collaboration with Google, has launched a new initiative designed to strengthen the emirate’s food and beverage sector and highlight the city’s diverse culinary landscape. Titled ‘Map Your Dubai: Insider Edition’, the programme seeks to drive visibility and engagement for local businesses by harnessing the power of digital communities and user-generated content.

At the heart of the initiative is Google’s Local Guides network, a global community of volunteers who contribute reviews, recommendations, and updates on Google Maps. These Guides will curate themed lists of their favourite restaurants and cafés across Dubai, ranging from hidden neighbourhood gems to popular dining destinations. The curated selections will then be opened to public voting, encouraging residents and visitors alike to discover new venues and support homegrown establishments. The campaign underscores how digital platforms can be leveraged to enhance discovery and bolster small and medium-sized enterprises in the F&B sector.

The launch was marked by an exclusive Breakfast Club event at the Etihad Museum, attended by Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), alongside senior officials, culinary entrepreneurs, and content creators from the regional food industry. The gathering reflected the initiative’s emphasis on collaboration between government, business leaders, and creative communities in shaping Dubai’s cultural and economic narrative.

‘Map Your Dubai’ forms part of DET’s broader ‘From Dubai, For Dubai’ programme, which focuses on strengthening community participation in promoting local businesses. By encouraging residents, visitors, and digital communities to highlight homegrown enterprises, the initiative aims to generate increased local economic activity while reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a dynamic culinary hub. The campaign also aligns with DET’s wider strategy of positioning Dubai as a city where innovation, culture, and commerce intersect.

As part of the programme, Local Guides will develop 11 themed lists showcasing notable dining destinations, including lesser-known cafés and family-run restaurants that might otherwise remain under the radar. These lists will be accessible through the official campaign portal, MapYourDubai.com, and integrated directly into Google Maps, offering seamless exploration for users. Voting for favourite lists will open on 22 June 2026 and remain active until 6 July 2026, after which winning contributors will be recognised across official channels.

The initiative highlights Dubai’s commitment to supporting its F&B sector, which plays a vital role in the city’s economy and cultural identity. By combining digital engagement with grassroots participation, DET and Google are creating a platform that not only celebrates culinary diversity but also empowers small businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. For residents and visitors, it offers a fresh opportunity to explore the city’s dining scene, discover hidden gems, and contribute to shaping Dubai’s evolving food culture.