Dubai : The Banc, Downtown Dubai’s newest hotspot, is reimagining dining for the growing number of guests using weight-loss injections such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy. As reduced appetites become the new norm, the restaurant is introducing scaled-down plates and cocktails that offer bold flavours in smaller portions – a response to the subtle etiquette shift reshaping how people eat out.
First trialled at its London location, the concept makes its UAE debut this month, blending The Banc’s signature Mediterrasian flavours with a more discreet, appetite-conscious approach to dining. Featured within the main menu as a curated insert titled The Mini Bancer, this specials-style page highlights the restaurant’s most popular dishes and cocktails, reimagined as lighter, more intentional serves.
Highlights include protein-forward plates such as half-sized grilled sea bream and BBQ melt chicken, alongside scaled-down starters such as lamb kebab, tiger prawns and wagyu beef tartare. Dessert classics are also reimagined in petite portions – from baklava bites to half-sized apple pie.
“Initially we worried weight-loss jabs might mean fewer customers through the door,” said Mazlum Topcu, co-founder of The Banc. “But that hasn’t been the case. People are still dining out – they’re just arriving less hungry. What this new guest really wants is the chance to eat less without drawing attention to it in front of the whole restaurant. Sharing plates help with that and we’ve even pre-sliced steaks to make splitting food easier. But not everyone is keen on this style of dining, so the new menu offers smaller dishes, designed for lighter, more intentional dining.”
“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.”
Appetite-suppressing medications have also been shown to dampen alcohol cravings, making smaller serves an ideal solution for guests who still want the flavour and experience of a full-strength drink, without the excess. Miniatures of The Banc Signature Cocktails are priced at Dhs48 and include the El Pepino (Casamigos Reposado tequila, fresh basil, cucumber, pineapple, lime juice, agave nectar), The Fussy Cat (dry gin, chamomile tea, fresh lychee, elderflower cordial, physalis), and Pretty Little Pink (Beefeater pink gin, peach liquor, elderflower cordial, fresh lime).
“With these smaller pours, even our regular guests can enjoy the drink at its best, and many are ordering two or three different styles rather than committing to just one,” added Mazlum Topcu. “It’s a shift away from excess, towards moderation, but still rooted in flavour and fun.”
