UAE Residents Can Now Get Up to 60% Off on Surplus Food Through New App

UAE residents can now enjoy significant savings on food, sweets, and beverages as restaurants and F&B brands list their surplus inventory on a new app, Platable. The platform enables users to purchase meals at discounts of up to 60%, while also helping restaurants minimize food waste and increase revenue.

Addressing Food Waste in the Gulf Region

Food waste remains a major challenge in the Gulf region, with an estimated 30% of food going to waste annually. In line with the region’s goal to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030, Platable provides a sustainable solution that benefits both businesses and consumers.

Platable connects restaurants with customers, allowing them to list surplus food that would otherwise be discarded. Popular Arabic, Indian, Asian, and international restaurants across Dubai have already joined the platform, with plans to expand across the UAE and the GCC.

How Platable Works

The app functions as a marketplace where F&B outlets can list surplus food items, which consumers can purchase at discounted rates. According to Salmaan Mohammed, co-founder and CEO of Platable, the idea stemmed from the need to provide an alternative to wasting excess food.

“We built this platform to help F&B outlets list their surplus inventory, which would otherwise go to waste, and allow consumers to buy it at a discount. For instance, a doughnut company that sees a daily surplus of 300-400 pieces can list them on the app, enabling users to buy them for half the price between 9 PM and 11 PM,” said Mohammed.

This system allows customers to enjoy premium meals at lower prices while enabling restaurants to boost revenue and contribute to sustainability efforts.

A Win-Win for Restaurants and Consumers

The app benefits both businesses and consumers by offering:

• Cost savings for customers: Users can access high-quality food at reduced prices.
• Increased revenue for restaurants: Instead of discarding food, businesses can sell surplus items.
• Convenience and accessibility: Consumers can reserve meal boxes and pick them up or opt for delivery during specified time slots.

Currently, Platable lists over 50 restaurant brands in Dubai and has recorded more than 3,000 organic downloads since its beta launch in November 2024.

Future Expansion and Official Launch

Mohammed plans to officially launch Platable during Ramadan 2025 and expand its operations across the UAE and later the GCC. The app is currently available for download on App Store and Play Store in its beta version.

The goal is to increase daily orders from 7-10 to 1,000, ensuring that 75-80% of listed inventory is sold. The app follows a commission-based model, charging vendors a small percentage per sale while remaining free for consumers.

A Global Concept with Local Impact

Platable follows a successful business model similar to Too Good to Go, a popular app in Western markets that helps reduce food waste by offering surplus meals at lower prices.

Since restaurants may not always have exact quantities of surplus food, many outlets offer surprise meal boxes. These could include a set of doughnuts, a curated meal from a buffet restaurant, or other discounted food items without revealing exact contents in advance.

“Consumers can check the app to see which nearby restaurants are offering discounted meal boxes at specific times for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can then reserve a box for pickup or delivery within the available time slot,” explained Mohammed.

For instance, if a restaurant closes at 11 PM, it may list discounted meal boxes from 9 PM to 11 PM, ensuring the surplus food is sold rather than wasted.

A Step Towards a Sustainable Future

By reducing food waste, supporting businesses, and providing affordable meal options, Platable aligns with the UAE’s sustainability goals and the region’s growing interest in digital solutions for environmental and economic challenges.

As Ramadan 2025 approaches, the app’s official launch is expected to further revolutionize how surplus food is managed, making high-quality meals more accessible to a wider audience while helping businesses adopt sustainable practices.