The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), in collaboration with Google, has launched ‘Map Your Dubai: Insider Edition,’ an initiative to support the emirate’s food and beverage (F&B) sector by driving visibility and engagement for local businesses.
The initiative brings together Google Local Guides, a global community of volunteers who contribute reviews, recommendations, and updates on Google Maps, to curate and share lists of their preferred restaurants and cafés across Dubai.
These curated selections will then be opened for public voting, encouraging residents and visitors to discover and support local dining establishments.
The launch took place during an exclusive Breakfast Club event at Etihad Museum, attended by Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), along with senior officials, culinary entrepreneurs, and content creators from the regional food industry.
‘Map Your Dubai’ is part of DET’s broader ‘From Dubai, For Dubai’ initiative, which focuses on strengthening community participation in promoting local businesses and shaping the city’s cultural and economic narrative.
The campaign encourages residents, visitors, and digital communities to highlight homegrown businesses and contribute to increased local economic activity.
As part of the initiative, Local Guides will develop themed lists on Google Maps showcasing notable dining destinations, including lesser-known cafés and neighborhood restaurants.
The program highlights how digital platforms can be used to enhance discovery and support small and medium-sized enterprises in the F&B sector.
The public will be able to access 11 curated lists through the official campaign portal, MapYourDubai.com, and explore locations directly via Google Maps.
Voting for favorite lists will open on June 22, 2026, and will remain active until July 6, 2026, after which winning contributors will be recognized across official channels.
Anthony Nakache Managing Director Google MENA
“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 and 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 the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to support the region’s F&B business sector.”
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of Dubai SME, said that, “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. 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.”
The campaign will feature more than 100 homegrown restaurants, cafés, and neighborhood dining concepts across Dubai, providing users with curated recommendations designed to encourage exploration and support for local F&B businesses.
