Aggregators dominate food delivery, with mobile orders up by 30% in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in H1 2025
Dubai, the UAE: According to Syrve MENA data, food aggregators continue to be the most popular mobile order channel in both markets. Approximately 75% of mobile orders placed by surveyed restaurants are processed by apps like HungerStation, Talabat, and Deliveroo. The remaining 25% is handled by call centres, proprietary apps, and websites run by restaurants — a tactic that larger chains seeking greater control over operational procedures can afford.
Syrve MENA reported that the majority of orders come from mobile devices. More than 70% of all food delivery transactions are made through mobile phones, reflecting the region's preference for digital convenience. While it is challenging to accurately estimate the increase in mobile orders in H1 2025 compared to 2024, Talabat reports a 30% year-over-year increase in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in Q1, which may indicate a significant rise in order volume in H1 2025. Revenue and adjusted EBITDA both grew by 34%, while adjusted net income rose by 24%.
Seasonal trends and daily delivery patterns
Syrve MENA reported that mobile delivery activity in the UAE reached its first peak in March 2025, coinciding with Ramadan, a time traditionally associated with increased food ordering. Another seasonal surge is expected between June and September, when high temperatures make outdoor dining less appealing and consumers turn to delivery more often.
The time slot from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM consistently yields the highest volume of mobile delivery orders across most restaurant categories. For fast food, Italian, Indian, and international restaurant chains, this evening window is the most popular. However, Arabic food exhibits a distinct trend, with traditional breakfast items driving the highest delivery activity between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Popular dishes range from kebabs in Arabic restaurants to rotis and butter naan in Indian chains.
In the global H1 2025 market, the most popular time for food ordering is generally 6:00 PM local time, according to restaurant industry reports. Additionally, there's a noticeable increase in breakfast orders, particularly on Monday mornings. The later evening peak in orders observed in the UAE and Saudi Arabia may be linked to Ramadan, when evening meals shift to after sunset.
UAE vs. Saudi Arabia: Comparing the Markets
Despite differences in scale and speed, both the UAE and Saudi Arabia are experiencing mobile-driven growth. Through 2033, the UAE's online meal delivery industry is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%, driven by consumer demands for convenience, speed, and loyalty benefits.
The Saudi Arabian market is significantly larger and is projected to grow at a 15.4% CAGR through 2030. This surge is primarily driven by urbanisation, advanced digital infrastructure including widespread internet access and smartphone usage, and a growing middle class with increasing disposable income and preference for digital convenience.
'Mobile-based delivery will remain central to foodservice strategy in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia as they continue to develop digitally and increase mobile order volumes by over 10% year-on-year. Consistent seasonal peaks, changing spending habits, and rapidly advancing technology are making mobile-first dining the new norm,' said Alexander Ponomarev, CEO at Syrve MENA.
According to reports, as mobile order volumes continue to grow steadily and consumers demand digital convenience, forecasts predict that the share of mobile-based orders will exceed 80% in both markets by the end of 2025. This trend is further fueled by high digital penetration, making the digital transformation of the food delivery market inevitable. The dominance of food aggregators and restaurants' increasing drive toward process automation are also contributing to this shift.
About Syrve MENA
Syrve MENA is a leader in all-in-one POS and Restaurant Management Software solutions in the Middle East. With its headquarters in Dubai and a presence in 57 countries, Syrve has been revolutionising the food service market for over five years. Serving over 9000 customers worldwide, including renowned restaurant chains and small businesses, Syrve is committed to automating restaurants and hospitality businesses.
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