Al Baik to open its second Dubai branch in Mall of the Emirates

Popular Saudi Arabian fast-food chain is expanding by opening another outlet in the UAE

An Al Baik nugget meal at Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Janice Rodrigues

Saudi Arabian fast food chain Al Baik has been a huge hit in the UAE since it opened its first branch in The Dubai Mall in June 2021.

It later expanded, opening a temporary outlet at Expo 2020 Dubai, which was just as successful, with queues extending outside the building on its opening day. However, as Expo 2020 finished, the food chain hinted through an Instagram post that it is getting ready to announce the opening of another branch in the UAE.

While guesses have ranged from Abu Dhabi to Sharjah, it appears that Al Baik’s next outpost will be in Mall of the Emirates.

Hoarding next to Shake Shack with Al Baik’s famous red and white logo of a bird in a top hat reveals it to be the newest location.

Hoarding with Al Baik's logo in the food court of Mall of the Emirates in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Although no other details are currently available, including when it will open or what dishes it will serve, here’s a look at what could be expected.

Some favourites are the chicken nuggets meal, Double Baik burger, Al Baik chicken meal and chicken fillet sandwich. There’s also the famous Al Baik shawarma, Big Baik sandwich, shrimp meals and falafel sandwiches.

In December, Al Baik launched limited deliveries across the city with Talabat, areas covered include Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai Design District, Al Qouz 1, 2 and 3, Al Safa, Jumeirah 1, 2 and 3, Dubai World Trade Centre, Al Jaddaf and.

The first Al Baik opened in Jeddah in 1974, and Dubai was its third pit stop in the Middle East after two branches in Bahrain in 2020.

Considering its huge success, it’s no surprise that expansion across the UAE continues to be in the works, with future plans to operate “across the seven emirates”.

Scroll through the gallery below to see Al Baik's opening day at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Saudi Arabian fast food brand Al Baik opened its second UAE branch at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

People line up outside Saudi Arabian fast food chain Al Baik which shares a building with the Afghanistan country pavilion. Reuters

Al Baik at Expo 2020 serves its signature fried chicken nuggets as well as shrimp, jumbo shrimp and falafel. Pawan Singh / The National

There are separate queues to place orders and pick up meals at Al Baik's Expo 2020 branch. Pawan Singh / The National

The outdoor seating area on the first floor of Al Baik Expo 2020. Janice Rodrigues / The National

An Al Baik nugget meal at Expo 2020. Janice Rodrigues / The National