The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Google have launched “Map Your Dubai: Insider Edition”, a new initiative aimed at supporting Dubai’s local food and beverage sector by helping residents and visitors discover homegrown restaurants, cafés, and neighbourhood dining concepts.
The initiative was unveiled during a Breakfast Club event at the historic Etihad Museum, attended by senior government officials, entrepreneurs, content creators, and members of Google’s Local Guides community.
As part of the programme, Google’s Local Guides — volunteers who contribute reviews, photos, and recommendations on Google Maps — will create curated lists highlighting some of Dubai’s lesser-known culinary destinations. The public will then be invited to explore these recommendations and vote for their favourite lists.
The campaign is part of DET’s broader “From Dubai, For Dubai” movement, which encourages residents, visitors, creators, and digital communities to support local businesses and share their stories.
Starting immediately, users can browse 11 curated restaurant and café lists through the campaign portal and access them via Google Maps. Public voting is scheduled to begin on June 22 and continue until July 6, with winning Local Guides to be recognised through official social media channels.
According to the organisers, the curated lists will feature more than 100 homegrown restaurants, cafés, and neighbourhood dining concepts across the emirate.
Commenting on the initiative, Anthony Nakache, Managing Director at Google MENA, said: “Map Your Dubai: Insider Edition empowers Google Local Guides to transform their authentic city knowledge into a powerful community movement. We are driven to enable, support small and homegrown F&B businesses by equipping them with tools they need to stay competitive and reach new audiences. We are deeply committed alongside Dubai Department Economy and Tourism to support the region’s F&B business sector.”
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of Dubai SME, said the programme reflects Dubai’s diverse and community-driven character.
“The Map Your Dubai initiative reflects what makes Dubai distinctive: a city shaped by the diversity of its people, cultures, businesses, and experiences, and strengthened by the partnerships that bring them together. Through From Dubai, For Dubai, and in collaboration with Google, we are building on Dubai’s long-standing approach to community-led storytelling, from #MyDubai to MyDubai Communities, where residents, creators, and visitors play an active role in shaping the narrative of the city,” he said.
He added: “It is a strong example of how public-private collaboration, digital platforms, and local voices can translate discovery into real economic value for Dubai-based businesses. By increasing visibility for local F&B concepts and homegrown brands, Map Your Dubai reinforces Dubai’s position as a global gastronomy hub and the best city to visit, live, and work in, while supporting long-term resilience and sustainable growth aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.”
DET said additional campaign content and Local Guide highlights will be shared throughout the voting period to encourage greater participation and support for local businesses.
