Google Maps is at the center of a new initiative launched by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Google to support Dubai’s local food and beverage sector.

Called Map Your Dubai: Insider Edition, the initiative encourages members of the Google Local Guides community to share curated lists of their favorite restaurants and cafés across the city. The public will then be able to explore the recommendations and vote for their favorite lists, helping drive visibility and growth for local businesses.

The initiative was launched during an exclusive Breakfast Club experience at the historic Etihad Museum. The event was attended by Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), part of DET, alongside senior officials, homegrown culinary entrepreneurs, and regional content creators.

The program forms part of From Dubai, For Dubai, DET’s community-led movement designed to support the people, businesses, and ideas that contribute to everyday life in the city.

Through the campaign, residents, visitors, creators, and digital communities are encouraged to discover and recommend Dubai-based businesses. In addition, the initiative aims to bring together existing support efforts under a shared narrative that promotes local enterprises and strengthens the city’s economy.

The Map Your Dubai initiative enables Local Guides to create highly curated and themed lists directly on Google Maps. These lists are designed to showcase hidden culinary gems, neighborhood favorites, and unique dining experiences across Dubai.

Google Local Guides are active contributors who help improve the platform by writing reviews, uploading photos, answering questions, and updating location information.

Starting today, the public can explore 11 insider-curated lists available through the official campaign portal, MapYourDubai.com. Users can access the featured venues through their personal Google Maps accounts and vote for their preferred culinary lists.

Voting will begin on June 22, 2026, and continue until July 6, 2026. The winning Local Guides will be recognized through official social media channels.

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 initiative reflects Dubai’s diverse business and cultural landscape and builds on the city’s tradition of community-led storytelling.

He added that the project demonstrates how public-private collaboration, digital platforms, and local voices can help translate discovery into economic value for Dubai-based businesses. According to Almheiri, the initiative also supports the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 by promoting sustainable growth and strengthening Dubai’s position as a global gastronomy hub.

The curated lists feature more than 100 homegrown restaurants, cafés, and neighborhood dining concepts across Dubai. As a result, residents and visitors can discover new venues while directly supporting local businesses.

Additional campaign content and Local Guide highlights will be shared throughout the voting period. Residents and visitors can access the platform to explore recommendations and participate in the initiative through Google Maps.

Related post

View all