Latest news with #MazlumTopcu
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
From Ozempic to Mounjaro: Why Dubai restaurants are rethinking portion sizes
With skinny jabs and shrinking waistlines becoming the new normal, many fitness conscious are opting for smaller, selective palate. As a result, the food industry is looking for ways to reimagine the culinary scene. Banc, Downtown Dubai's newest hotspot, has just launched a brand-new menu for reduced appetites due to weightloss injections like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy. Ever since the news went out, it's generated a lot of interest. Everyone's calling it the 'Ozempic menu.' Banc's founders give us the lowdown on the facts, benefits and potential flipside of this trend. 'Let's clear one thing up right away — this isn't an 'Ozempic menu'. We're not doctors, and we're certainly not here to prescribe trends. But what we are seeing, both in London and now in Dubai, is a change in how people are eating. Appetite-suppressing medications like GLP-1s — which are prescribed by professionals for specific medical reasons — have a clear side effect: people just aren't eating as much. We were getting more and more guests asking, 'Can I get a smaller portion of this?' Some would share a main or skip dessert entirely. And we thought, why not meet people halfway? So we created The Mini Bancer – a menu featuring smaller portions of our most-popular dishes and drinks. It's all about flavour, just in less volume,' starts off Mazlum Topcu, co-founder of The Banc, located in Dubai and London. The founders noticed that in London, the guests still wanted the experience of dining out, but they were choosing differently. Hence, the idea of a 'skinny jab menu'. 'The average spending per head dipped, and that has a direct impact on the bottomline. But rather than fight it, we decided to get creative – without compromising on quality or creativity. Rather than a full three-course meal, they will order a few lighter plates,' says co-founder Can Topcu. The Mini Bancer menu is not just for people on GLP-1s (Type 2 diabetics); Banc is looking at a wider audience. 'We're seeing athletes, professionals, even foodies who just want to enjoy greater variety without feeling stuffed. It's also great for people with lighter appetites – or those trying to make more mindful choices without missing out on the pleasure of dining out,' explains Mazlum. The 'skinny jab menu' is for those with smaller appetites but still want to dine out and eat good food. Can Topcu adds, 'And let's be honest, Dubai is a city that loves a good night out, but it also cares deeply about health and image. This kind of menu fits naturally into that lifestyle. It's not about diet culture. It's about choice, balance, and still indulging in your favourite dishes – just in a way that suits how you're feeling that day. Guests don't want to feel left out or embarrassed by leaving half their meal or telling the table they are not drinking because they are on medication, have an early morning workout, or have other commitments.' By catering to GLP-1 users and health-conscious diners, Banc's 'inclusive' menu could be a game-changer. But what are the potential advantages and disadvantages of the 'Ozempic menu'? Will some diners feel self-conscious about ordering from a menu specifically designed for those on weight-loss medications? 'We see this as a new era for hospitality. It challenges us to think beyond 'bigger is better'. A miniature beverage or baklava bite dessert, they still use the same premium ingredients and techniques — it's not a shortcut – and the price reflects the smaller size. It's thoughtful, it's elegant, and frankly, it's a lot more fun than just saying 'no' to dessert,' says Mazlum. 'The upside is simple: it's inclusive. Whether you're on a medical programme, watching your portion sizes, or cutting back on drinking, this menu gives people the option to dine how they want. It's respectful of changing appetites, changing drinking habits, and a broader wellness mindset,' adds Can. The founders also believe that serving smaller portions could reduce food waste, aligning with sustainable dining practices. 'It's taken some adjusting. Smaller serves mean we've had to be smarter with curation, but the result is still high-impact and high-value. Sure, a few have called it a gimmick, but you can't please everyone. Introducing something new is always a gamble, but responding to guest feedback isn't trend-chasing – it's just good hospitality,' he says. After doing a trial run at their London location, the concept has made its UAE debut this month, blending The Banc's signature Mediterranean flavours with a narrower, health-conscious approach to dining. Terming their new menu as 'The Mini Bancer', this is a thoughtfully designed section of the menu, offering lighter, more intentional versions of the restaurant's most popular dishes and beverages. 'I think we're just trying to be honest with where people are right now. The way people eat is changing. Their habits, their appetites, their beverage choices – all of it. And as restaurateurs, we either adapt or get left behind. This isn't about Ozempic. It's about flexibility. Hospitality should never be one-size-fits-all,' explains Mazlum. Banc plans to tap into the UAE's growing market of health-conscious foodies who want nutritious and tasty options. 'We're deeply invested in Dubai, but the UAE has so many exciting markets. The feedback here has been incredible, and we're exploring opportunities to grow organically, without losing what makes The Banc special,' Can concludes.
The National
5 days ago
- Health
- The National
Smaller portions and high-protein, the 'Ozempic menu' has arrived in Dubai
A Dubai restaurant has introduced a high-protein, smaller-portion menu designed specifically for people using weight-loss injections. Mediterranean restaurant The Banc Dubai says its Mini Bancer menu comprises of their most popular dishes and drinks, but reimagined as lighter and "more intentional" portions. Highlights include a half-sized grilled sea bream and barbecue melt chicken, alongside scaled-down starters, which include lamb kebab, tiger prawns and wagyu beef tartare. Dessert classics also come in petite portions, from baklava bites to half-sized apple pie. GLP-1 drugs, marketed under brand names such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, work by slowing digestion and signalling the brain to promote a feeling of fullness, which can lead to reduced appetite and weight loss. The Banc Dubai says their new menu was first trialed at their London location before being introduced in the UAE. "People are still dining out – they're just arriving less hungry," says Mazlum Topcu, co-founder of The Banc. "What this new guest really wants is the chance to eat less without drawing attention to it in front of the whole restaurant. 'Some diners don't want to admit they're on the jab. They'll order a big spread, push food around their plate and hope someone else does the heavy lifting. The funny thing is that half the table is probably doing the same thing – so you end up with too much food and unnecessary waste. Our approach makes it easier for everyone to eat the way they want, without the fuss." While it might be new to the UAE, The Banc Dubai is not the first to introduce a so-called "Ozempic menu" as an increasing number of GLP-1 users say they are dining out less. Earlier this year, a survey of 1,000 GLP-1 users in the US by Bloomberg Intelligence found 54 per cent of respondents said they dined out significantly less or less frequently since starting the medication. About the same percentage reported ordering less takeout. In a Morgan Stanley survey in April last year, about two-thirds of GLP-1 users said they spent less money at restaurants, while 31 per cent said they cut back on groceries. Clinton Hall, a group of burger and beer restaurants in New York City known for large portions, recently introduced a Teeny Weeny Mini Meal that includes a petite hamburger, a few fries and a small beer. 'It 100 per cent is targeting the growing number of GLP-1 users,' Greg Mecane, the group's marketing director told While not specifically targeted at GLP-1 users, international chain The Cheesecake Factory also has a "SkinnyLicious" menu, including at its UAE branches, which features smaller sizes and lower calorie dishes. At Town restaurant in London, which opened in May, diners can order half-portions of selected main menu items, as well as desserts. 'We absolutely design dishes specifically for the Mounjaro generation,' owner Jonathan Downey told The Times. "We thought we were just giving people more options, but it turns out to be part of the zeitgeist." And the popularity of these drugs is only set to grow, with Morgan Stanley analysts estimating the market for GLP-1s to be worth $105 billion by 2030. They also estimate that 31.5 million people will take GLP-1s by 2035.
