Healthy Menu Options to Be Mandatory at Abu Dhabi Hotels & Restaurants

Healthy menu options will become mandatory across tourism-licensed hotels and restaurants in Abu Dhabi from October 1st, 2026, under new requirements issued by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

The rules apply to hotel-operated and independent food and beverage outlets holding a tourism licence. Adult menus must include at least one healthy option in each category, including appetisers, side dishes, main courses and desserts.

Children’s menus will face stricter requirements, with at least 50% of listed items needing to meet the healthy classification. Where appropriate, qualifying adult dishes may also be adapted into smaller portions for children.

Healthy dishes must meet nutritional standards under the SEHHI classification and be clearly identified on menus with the SEHHI logo.

Establishments may be asked to submit menus for review and, where required, provide recipes and nutritional information for assessment by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre. Outlets already working with the centre to verify qualifying dishes will be treated as compliant during the process where progress is being made.

Restaurants will also need to maintain the required number of healthy options whenever menus are updated. Any changes made to previously approved dishes will need to be resubmitted for validation.

Buffets and other service formats without specific menus are exempt, although venues are expected to provide reasonable healthy choices. Fixed tasting menus are also excluded.

Certain niche food outlets may also fall outside the rules if they offer no more than three food categories, provide no seating and do not use a written menu beyond signage or display boards. Beverage-only outlets are not covered, as the policy applies specifically to food offerings.