With the UAE’s food and beverage sector needing to more than quadruple in size over the next five years, demand for new F&B outlets is rapidly increasing. Following the success of the first outlet in Al Wasl Square, local eatery Pantry Cafe is opening the doors to its second branch in Bay Square, Business Bay. The new venue will have over 200 covers and has a total of 5,500 square feet; larger than the original Pantry Café. The new cafe will be open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week.

“We are delighted to be opening a second Pantry Cafe in Business Bay. As a local start-up, being able to open a second branch is a testament to our business model. We have carefully considered our options and Business Bay is the perfect fit for our second outlet. Pantry Cafe prides itself on serving local and organic produce where we can in our dishes ­ which is at the heart of our business vision. Following the opening of the second Pantry Cafe, we look forward to future expansion in the UAE in the coming years.” said Vice Chairperson, Retail & Beyond, Yana Kalwani.

The first Pantry Cafe opened its doors in 2012 in Al Wasl Square and with its open kitchen and on-site bakery soon proved a favourite with UAE residents. Gourmet cafes and delicatessens are increasingly popular in the UAE and home-grown local chains have been a trend in the F&B dining scene with an upsurge in the number of deli-style outlets. Pantry Cafe is the first concept eatery to be opened by Dubai-based, Retail & Beyond which is set to open two further concept dining venues in 2015. The upscale licensed restaurants, Bu!, a Pan-Latin lounge which will be launched in the World Trade Center, Abu Dhabi and a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant which is set to open on Palm Jumeirah follow the two Pantry Cafes.