Dubai’s restaurant and café scene is one of the most competitive in the world – with thousands of brands fighting for attention every day. Outdoor advertising (OOH) has become one of the most powerful marketing channels for restaurants and cafés to stand out, attract footfall, boost delivery orders, and build long-term brand awareness.
This guide explains the best OOH formats, top locations, pricing, strategies, and FAQs tailored for the F&B industry in Dubai.
Why OOH Works Perfectly for Restaurants & Cafés
✔ 1. Immediate Impact on Footfall
OOH reaches people while they are driving, shopping, commuting, or exploring the city – influencing instant dining decisions.
✔ 2. Perfect for Geo-Targeting
You can place OOH ads near malls, communities, business hubs, and delivery-heavy zones.
✔ 3. Builds Trust & Brand Recall
Large-format ads increase recognition and elevate your brand against competitors.
✔ 4. Drives Delivery Orders
Key message examples:
- “Order Now – Talabat / Deliveroo / Noon Food”
- “Open 24/7”
- “Branch 2 mins away”
✔ 5. Affordable Formats for Every Budget
From lampposts to digital screens – restaurants can run powerful campaigns without huge costs.
Best OOH Advertising Formats for Restaurants & Cafés
- Digital Screens & LED Billboards
Why it works:
Dynamic displays allow you to promote:
- New menu items
- Special offers
- Breakfast/lunch/dinner promos
- Seasonal campaigns
Best for: Premium malls, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, JBR, City Walk.
- Unipoles & Megacoms
Why it works:
Strong visibility along main highways – ideal for brand reinforcement.
Best for:
Well-known restaurants, chain cafés, and franchise brands.
- Lamppost Advertising
Why it works:
Cost-effective, highly targeted, and perfect for delivering messages like:
“Just 300 meters ahead →”
Best for:
Branches in communities, malls, and highways.
- Bridge Banners
Why it works:
Huge, high-impact visibility across both sides of major roads.
Best for:
New branch openings, major offers, and city-wide announcement campaigns.
- Mall Advertising
Why it works:
Reaches shoppers when they are already hungry and ready to dine.
Best for:
Food courts, dine-in restaurants, cafés, dessert brands.
- Transit Advertising
Formats include:
- Bus wraps
- Taxi toppers
- Metro station branding
- Tram wraps
Why it works:
Ideal for capturing both residents and tourists across the city.
Best Locations in Dubai for Restaurant & Café OOH
- Sheikh Zayed Road (SZR)
Perfect for brand visibility and city-wide penetration.
- Dubai Marina & JBR
High tourist footfall, ideal for cafés, brunch spots, and upscale dining.
- Business Bay & Downtown
Corporate crowd – excellent for lunch, coffee, and evening dining.
- Al Barsha & Mall of the Emirates Area
Great for family restaurants and dessert brands.
- Dubai Hills, Motor City, JVC, and Arjan
Growing communities with high delivery demand.
- Airport Road & Garhoud
Busy with tourists and hotel guests – perfect for global F&B chains.
- Malls: Dubai Mall, MOE, City Centres
High-intent shoppers – excellent for dine-in campaigns.
OOH Strategies for Restaurants & Cafés
✔ 1. Promote Hero Items
Use high-quality food photography with short, appetizing messages.
Examples:
- “Best Burgers in Dubai”
- “Freshly Brewed Coffee Daily”
✔ 2. Use Location-Based Messaging
“500m ahead • Turn Right”
“Now Open in JBR”
“Inside Dubai Mall – Food Court”
✔ 3. Leverage Time-Based Ads (if digital)
Breakfast → 8 AM – 11 AM
Lunch → 12 PM – 3 PM
Dinner → 6 PM – 11 PM
Late Night → 11 PM – 3 AM
✔ 4. Add QR Codes for Instant Orders
Instant delivery from Talabat, Deliveroo, Noon Food.
✔ 5. Run Monthly Cycles for Maximum Impact
Food decisions change daily – consistent exposure boosts conversion.
Pricing Overview (2025 Estimates)
| OOH Format | Monthly Cost |
| Digital Screens | AED 10,000 – 50,000 |
| Unipoles | AED 70,000 – 180,000 |
| Bridge Banners | AED 50,000 – 120,000 |
| Lampposts | AED 500 – 800 per pole |
| Mall Screens | AED 8,000 – 60,000 |
| Bus/Taxi Ads | AED 5,000 – 30,000 |
OAD can provide exact rates based on availability & location.
Who Benefits Most from OOH in the F&B Sector?
- Fast food chains
- Coffee shops
- Dessert cafés
- Casual dining restaurants
- Fine dining brands
- Cloud kitchen brands
- Food trucks
- QSR franchises
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Does OOH help restaurants increase sales?
Absolutely. OOH drives both walk-ins and delivery orders, especially when targeted near communities and malls.
- What format is best for new restaurant openings?
Bridge banners, lamppost networks, and digital screens are the strongest formats for quick awareness.
- How long should a restaurant run an OOH campaign?
Minimum: 1 month
Ideal: 3 months for strong recall and footfall growth.
- Can OOH help promote delivery platforms like Talabat or Deliveroo?
Yes. OOH is excellent for boosting delivery orders using QR codes, short URLs, and platform logos.
- Does OAU provide complete OOH support for F&B brands?
Yes – OAU provides:
- Media planning & buying
- Creative design (food photography included)
- Printing & installation
- Reporting & performance tracking
