Arabic food catering is one of the most requested styles for weddings, corporate functions and family gatherings across the UAE, and for good reason. It suits large groups, works well as a shared or buffet-style spread, and offers something for every guest, from grilled meats and rice dishes to fresh mezze and desserts. This guide covers what to think about when planning Arabic catering for your next event, whether it is an office lunch or a large celebration.
What does Arabic food catering usually include?
A well-rounded Arabic menu typically moves through several courses rather than a single main dish. Guests can expect a spread that might include:
- Cold and hot mezze, such as hummus, moutabal, fattoush and warak enab
- Grilled meats and kebabs, often lamb, chicken or mixed grill platters
- Rice-based mains, including machboos or biryani-style dishes
- Fresh Arabic bread served alongside the mezze
- Desserts such as kunafa, baklava or umm ali
- Arabic coffee and dates, often served at the start or end of the meal
Because Arabic dining is traditionally shared, portions and course order matter more than they might with plated Western menus. A caterer who understands the flow of a traditional spread will help the meal feel complete rather than piecemeal.
How to plan the right menu for your event
Start by thinking about the type of event and how guests will eat. A seated dinner allows for a slower, multi-course experience, while a buffet or standing reception calls for dishes that hold well and are easy to serve without cutlery, such as skewers, wraps and finger-sized mezze. If you are planning a large gathering, our guide to large event catering in the UAE covers how menus and logistics scale for bigger guest numbers.
For office settings, Arabic food also works well as a lunch option that appeals to a mixed team. If you are based in the capital or the northern emirates, our pages on office catering in Abu Dhabi and office catering in Dubai outline how regular or one-off workplace menus are arranged.
Dietary needs and guest preferences
Arabic menus naturally accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences, since many mezze dishes are vegetarian or vegan by default, such as hummus, tabbouleh and stuffed vine leaves. When you request a quote, it helps to flag:
- The number of guests who are vegetarian, vegan or require halal-only meat (standard across most Arabic catering in the UAE)
- Any guests with nut, dairy or gluten sensitivities
- Whether you want a full multi-course spread or a simpler working lunch format
Sharing this information early means the menu can be costed per head accurately and adjusted before the event rather than on the day.
Portion sizing and course count
One of the most common questions when planning Arabic catering is how much food to order. This depends on the event length, time of day and whether other activities are planned around the meal. A short lunch meeting needs fewer courses than an evening celebration where dining is the main event. A caterer with a broad menu, such as one offering 130+ dishes across sixteen courses, can help you build a spread that matches your guest count and event duration without over- or under-ordering.
Booking timelines and tastings
For most events, it is worth booking Arabic catering as early as possible, particularly during busy seasons such as Ramadan or the autumn event calendar, when kitchens and delivery teams are in high demand. That said, if your plans come together quickly, our page on last-minute catering in the UAE explains what is possible on shorter notice.
Before confirming any booking, ask whether a tasting is available. Trying the food in advance lets you check seasoning, portion style and presentation, and adjust the menu if needed. You can find out more about how this works on our free catering tasting page.
Corporate versus event catering
Arabic food catering fits both corporate and social occasions, but the setup differs. Corporate catering tends to focus on efficient delivery, clean presentation and menus suited to office environments or meeting rooms — see our corporate catering page for details. Event catering, covering weddings, large celebrations and private functions, usually involves fuller service with setup, serving staff and a wider course selection, as described on our event catering page.
Getting a quote
Once you have an idea of guest numbers, dietary requirements and the type of event, the next step is requesting a menu proposal costed per head. You can start that process directly through our get a quote page, or browse the full range of dishes on our menu page first to see what an Arabic spread could include for your event.
