6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dining out on Ozempic? This Dubai restaurant has a menu just for you
For anyone on Ozempic, Mounjaro, or any of the new-gen weight-loss injections, dining out in Dubai can feel like a game of awkward portion politics. You want to be social, you want to enjoy the city's amazing restaurant scene, but you also don't want to sit there picking at a full plate while everyone else is doing three courses and a round of beverages.
Enter: The Mini Bancer. The Banc, one of Downtown Dubai's newest hotspots, is revolutionising how we eat out — especially if you're on appetite-suppressing meds. Originally trialled at its London outpost, the concept has made its UAE debut this month. Think of it as a discreet menu-within-a-menu — same bold Mediterranean flavours, but reimagined in intentionally lighter, smaller servings.
From protein-based dishes like half-sized grilled sea bream and BBQ melt chicken to scaled-down starters like wagyu beef tartare and tiger prawns, the mini menu does more than just trim calories, it frees you from the social pressures of eating more than what your body can accept. Even desserts play along, with baklava bites and petite apple pie slices that let you indulge without needing a post-meal nap.
This shift also reflects a growing social etiquette around how we dine today. With weight-loss drugs changing the way people eat — and more importantly, how they feel about eating in public — restaurants like The Banc are tuning in to a cultural moment.
'Some diners don't want to admit they're on the jab,' added Can Topcu, co-founder of The Banc. '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.'
Whether you're on Mounjaro or just not in the mood for a marathon meal, The Mini Bancer is a subtle yet smart evolution of Dubai's always-adaptable dining scene.
