Go on, be kind
A new community-led concept has landed in Dubai, aiming to transform everyday meals into meaningful acts of generosity. Launched as mealonme.ae, the initiative, brought to you by GreatList, invites residents, visitors and even supporters abroad to contribute towards dishes and drinks at participating venues across the city.
At its core, the platform is disarmingly simple. Restaurants and cafés select one to three menu items, assign a price, and generate a payment link. From there, anyone can step in to cover the cost — effectively paying it forward for someone else to enjoy.
What sets Meal on Me apart is its flexibility. Once contributions are made, venues decide how best to use them. A coffee could be gifted to a stranger, a meal offered to someone in need, or a gesture extended in a way that feels authentic to the space. At times like this, when everything will alien and uncertain, a simple act of kindness can make someone’s day better, and what better medium than that of food.
View this post on Instagram
This decentralised approach ensures each act of generosity feels personal rather than prescriptive — a key factor in maintaining the initiative’s sincerity.
Dubai’s ever-evolving food scene has long been about more than just dining, and Meal on Me taps into that spirit. By using familiar neighbourhood cafés and restaurants as touchpoints, the platform creates opportunities for connection in places people already know and trust.
The idea is simple: small gestures, when multiplied across a city, can foster a stronger sense of belonging. In a fast-paced destination like Dubai, that sense of human warmth can go a long way.
To kickstart the movement, founder Alexander Sysoev has pledged to personally support 20 venues, helping generate early momentum and demonstrate the initiative in action.
“I truly believe that through gestures like these we can bring Dubai’s community even closer,” said Sysoev. “It’s about creating positive эмоtions and supporting the hospitality industry with dignity and warmth.”
The initiative is currently in its early stages, with mealonme.ae inviting restaurants and cafés across Dubai to come on board as founding partners. The public platform will officially go live once the first wave of venues is confirmed, setting the stage for a broader rollout.
As more venues join, Meal on Me is expected to organically expand across the city’s dining landscape — turning simple acts of generosity into a shared, citywide experience.
Image credit: Pinterest
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
