The rise of food halls in the GCC
Encompassing a premium dining experience in a market setting, the food hall concept showcases a range of independent specialty outlets, all under one roof. Food Forward Consulting examines food halls, the fancier version of food courts but with an authentic twist.
The reasons why food halls are popular in the GCC
The GCC mall culture contributed to making food halls the go-to destinations for all-around leisure and entertainment and has played a major role in its success.
Furthermore, tourists helped popularize food halls. With a limited amount of time, travelers usually want to get the most out of their trip, in terms of attractions and local experiences, including food.

Thanks to food halls, they are able to gain the ultimate experiential value from a single visit by sampling the best cuisine that the city has to offer, mingling with locals, and perusing aisles of locally produced goods.
Moreover, Food halls have tapped into their social media appeal with an emphasis on eye-catching designs and plating, free WIFI, and open-kitchen concepts.
Food halls a platform for GCC entrepreneurs
In a highly competitive industry, food halls in the GCC have proved themselves to be ideal for restaurateurs and chefs to test-drive different business models and culinary experiences.
Conceived to organically draw a lot more foot traffic into their premises, food halls have not only removed some of the entry obstacles into the food business but also allowed restaurateurs to serve more customers, at a fraction of the usual startup costs.
Besides, the concept’s appeal comes from the fact that it gives restaurants menu safety in numbers, allowing them to share expenses and profit from a large audience.
Experiential food halls
Food halls provide customers with a variety of international cuisines cooked with fresh ingredients in a market-like setting. QSR fans benefit from the simple and quick ordering processes, whilst aficionados can personally speak with up-and-coming chefs. Since there are no middlemen between them and the cook, health-conscious clients can also learn more about the dishes’ origin.
More than merely selling food to locals and tourists, food halls in the GCC are now regarded as a curated experience where customers can savor not only excellent food but also get a true sense of the local culture.

Upscale chef-driven food halls
Forget the 1990s shopping mall food courts; today’s food halls provide chef-driven cuisine and a seamless customer experience.
GCC consumers are seeking an experiential culinary experience rather than commoditized ones. That is why most food halls have implemented live cooking stations as it also entices people to understand popular cuisine.
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