Careem has added a catering vertical to its app, giving customers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi access to more than 20 caterers through a single booking interface.
The service, called Careem Food Catering, is available now and is aimed at home entertaining, office events, and larger social gatherings.
The company says the launch was driven by its own platform data, which showed a consistent rise in large group orders, office catering requests, and repeated catering-related searches in recent months. Unlike standard delivery orders, the service is built around advance scheduling: customers can place orders between 24 and 72 hours ahead, with bookings available for events up to 15 days away.
Caterers on the platform offer menus designed for groups of 10 to 60 people. Options include shared-plate formats, finger food, and live stations or carts. Some caterers also offer on-site waiter service. Minimum orders start from AED 350.
“Food is at the heart of every gathering, and we wanted to make that part effortless. Summer in the UAE is when hosting really comes alive. Everyone heads indoors, and homes turn into the place where friends and family come together. And yet, in one of the most digitally engaged markets in the world, catering has stayed a surprisingly offline experience. With Careem Food Catering, we’re giving people in Dubai and Abu Dhabi access to the best caterers in their city, with the same ease and reliability they already trust us for. This summer, and for every occasion after, we want Careem to be the first place people turn to when they’re hosting,” Nourhan Farhat, VP of Marketplace Businesses at Careem said in a statement.
“Catering has always been about creating memorable experiences, but reaching the right customers at the right moment has been a real challenge. Partnering with Careem changes that. Their platform gives us direct access to customers across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and their reliability means we can focus on what we do best. We’re proud to be part of this launch,” Danish Irfan Gaya, Director of Gazebo added.
Careem says this is phase one of a wider catering expansion. The company plans to add more culinary partners, introduce menu customisation options, and extend the service to other emirates in the coming months.
