How new car dine-in food trend in the UAE is giving cafeterias a second lease of life

How new car dine-in food trend in the UAE is giving cafeterias a second lease of life

Food apps, food courts, elevated dining – perhaps it was the end for many cafeterias and smaller restaurants that have always been part of UAE’s food scene. Or so we thought. They are alive, thriving and innovating. One such trend that’s really catching on is – the dine-in experience. The trend that has quickly taken off on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram basically brings the experience of eating inside a café or restaurant into the comfort of your car. A tray is set up customers can enjoy an elaborate meal parked next to the cafeteria. Manakish, shawarma, sandwiches, karak tea, and mocktails are most popular dishes ordered but some outlets are going beyond that. Full scale, multi-course meals such as steaks with sides, falafel spreads, grilled chicken, mandi, biryani, and more are being offered as part of the car dine-in service. Well, they wanted to offer an added layer of convenience to their customers. Shanid Muringol is the outlet manager of Golden Tasty restaurant in Sharjah’s Muweilah area. He explained that they first introduced the car dine-in service to diners during the Covid-19 pandemic, as it was a private and sanitary dining experience with limited contact with people.