Life in the UAE does not follow a nine to five rhythm. Between long working hours, night shifts, and the habit of heading out after sunset when the weather cools down, it is completely normal to find yourself needing milk, baby formula, or a full grocery run close to midnight. The good news is that the UAE is one of the most convenient countries in the world for late night shopping, and in many neighbourhoods the honest answer to “how late is the closest grocery store open” is simply: it never closes.
That said, closing times vary a lot depending on the type of store, the emirate, and even the street you live on. This guide breaks down typical grocery timings, then lists late night and 24 hour stores emirate by emirate, covering Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, including the humble baqala that keeps every neighbourhood running.
Typical Grocery Store Timings in the UAE
Most grocery stores and supermarkets in the UAE open between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM and close between 10:00 PM and midnight. Larger hypermarkets tend to stay open later than small neighbourhood shops, while stores inside shopping malls follow the mall’s own opening hours.
| Store Type | Typical Opening Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Neighbourhood baqala (mini mart) | Early morning until late night, many 24 hours | Found in almost every residential block |
| Standalone supermarkets (Carrefour Market, West Zone, Zoom, Viva) | 7:00 AM to midnight, selected branches 24 hours | Branch timings vary, check the specific location |
| Hypermarkets (Carrefour, Lulu, Nesto, Safari) | 8:00 AM to midnight, some until 1:00 AM | Weekend hours often run later |
| Mall based supermarkets | 10:00 AM to midnight | Follow mall hours, often until 1:00 AM on weekends |
| Premium supermarkets (Spinneys, Waitrose, Choithrams, Grandiose) | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM or midnight | Selected branches operate around the clock |
| Petrol station convenience stores (ADNOC, ENOC, EPPCO) | 24 hours at most locations | Ideal for essentials on the road |
Late Night and 24 Hour Grocery Stores in Dubai
Dubai has the deepest late night grocery coverage in the country, and in busy districts you are rarely more than a few minutes from a store that never closes. If you also need medicine after hours, there are plenty of late-night pharmacies that operate beyond standard pharmacy timings.
| Store | Area | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| Carrefour Market (selected standalone branches) | Residential districts citywide | Many branches open 24 hours |
| West Zone Supermarket | Karama, Satwa, Al Barsha, Deira and more | Many community branches open 24 hours |
| Zoom Convenience Stores | ENOC stations and metro stations citywide | Most locations open 24 hours |
| Blue Mart Supermarket | Al Quoz Industrial Area 2 | Open 24 hours |
| Grandiose Supermarket | Dubai Marina | Open 24 hours |
| Lulu Hypermarket | Karama, Al Barsha, Al Qusais, Silicon Oasis | 8:00 AM to midnight |
| Choithrams (selected branches) | Citywide | Standard branches until midnight, selected branches later |
| Neighbourhood baqalas | Every residential block | A large share open 24 hours, many deliver |
Late Night and 24 Hour Grocery Stores in Abu Dhabi
The capital follows closely behind Dubai, with round the clock hypermarkets concentrated in Mussafah, Mohammed Bin Zayed City, and the island’s dense central districts. For medical essentials after regular hours, you can also check 24-hour pharmacies in Abu Dhabi.
| Store | Area | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| Spinneys | Corniche | Open 24 hours |
| Al Madina Hypermarket | Mussafah, Al Raha, Al Mafraq, Mohammed Bin Zayed City | Selected branches open 24 hours |
| Carrefour Hypermarket | Airport Road, Marina Mall, Yas Mall | 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM to midnight |
| Lulu Hypermarket | Madinat Zayed, Khalidiya Mall, Mushrif Mall, Al Wahda | 8:00 AM to late evening, mall branches follow mall hours |
| Abu Dhabi Coop | Abu Dhabi Mall and branches citywide | 8:00 AM to midnight |
| Neighbourhood baqalas | Al Danah, Khalifa City, Mussafah and citywide | Many open 24 hours |
Late Night and 24 Hour Grocery Stores in Sharjah
Sharjah’s biggest residential districts, Al Nahda, Al Majaz, Al Khan, and Muweilah, all have dependable late night grocery anchors. Residents who need medicines overnight can also find pharmacies open 24 hours in Sharjah.
| Store | Area | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| Nesto Hypermarket | Al Majaz | Open 24 hours |
| Carrefour Market | Al Nahda | Open 24 hours |
| Safari Hypermarket | Muweilah | 8:00 AM until late night |
| Al Maya Supermarket | Al Khan | Open until late night |
| Lulu Hypermarket | Al Nahda and branches across Sharjah | 8:00 AM to midnight |
| Al Manama Supermarket | Al Nahda and branches across Sharjah | 8:00 AM to midnight |
| Neighbourhood baqalas | Rolla, Abu Shagara, Butina and citywide | Many open 24 hours |
Late Night Grocery Stores in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah runs a little earlier than the big cities, with most supermarkets closing between 11:00 PM and midnight, but hypermarkets along the Al Nakheel corridor and neighbourhood baqalas keep essentials within reach overnight. For medicines and healthcare essentials, see the available 24-hour pharmacy options in Ras Al Khaimah.
| Store | Area | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| Lulu Hypermarket | Al Nakheel and RAK Mall | 8:00 AM to midnight, mall branch follows mall hours |
| Nesto Hypermarket | Al Qusaidat, Khuzam Road | 8:00 AM to around 11:30 PM |
| Al Safeer Hypermarket | Dafan Al Nakheel, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Salem Road | 8:00 AM until late night |
| Carrefour | Al Naeem Mall and Manar Mall | Mall hours, typically 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM or midnight |
| Neighbourhood baqalas | Al Nakheel, Al Dhait and across RAK | Many open until late night or 24 hours |
Late Night Grocery Stores in Fujairah
On the east coast, Fujairah’s supermarkets generally wrap up between 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM, with a few late trading favourites among the city’s main chains. If you need medicine late at night, our guide to 24-hour pharmacies in Fujairah can help.
| Store | Area | Timings |
|---|---|---|
| Pasons Shopping Centre | Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street | Open until 1:00 AM |
| Lulu Hypermarket | Fujairah city | 8:00 AM to around 11:00 PM or midnight |
| Carrefour Hypermarket | Fujairah City Centre | Mall hours, typically 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, later on weekends |
| Al Safeer Hypermarket | Al Sharqi Street | 8:00 AM until late night |
| Nesto Hypermarket | Fujairah city | 8:00 AM until late night |
| Neighbourhood baqalas | Citywide | Many open until late night or 24 hours |
The Baqala: The UAE’s True 24 Hour Grocery Hero
Whichever emirate you live in, the humble baqala remains the most reliable late night option of all. These small groceries occupy the ground floor of countless residential buildings, and a large share of them stay open all night, stocking bread, milk, eggs, snacks, water, and basic household items. Most will deliver a handful of items to your door for free with a single phone call, a service that has survived every delivery app trend for good reason.
Ramadan and Public Holiday Timings
During Ramadan, grocery timings shift noticeably. Many stores open slightly later in the morning and stay open well past midnight, often until 2:00 AM or 3:00 AM, to serve shoppers after Iftar and before Suhoor. Public holidays such as Eid can also bring extended evening hours. Since these schedules are announced by each retailer separately, check the store’s app or call ahead during the holy month.
How to Check the Exact Hours of the Store Nearest You
The fastest way to answer “how late is the closest grocery store open” for your exact location is to search the store name on Google Maps, which shows live opening hours and flags holiday changes. Major chains including Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys, and Choithrams also publish branch level timings on their websites and apps. If you would rather not go out at all, grocery delivery platforms such as Instashop, elGrocer, Talabat Mart, Careem Quik, and Noon Minutes deliver from supermarkets and dark stores late into the night, and in many parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi they run 24 hours.
Late night needs are not always about food. If you are looking for medicine after hours, see our guides to the 24 hours open pharmacy options in Dubai and the 24 hours open pharmacies in Sharjah.
Frequently Asked Questions
How late are grocery stores open in the UAE?
Most grocery stores close between 10:00 PM and midnight, but many supermarkets, baqalas, and petrol station stores operate 24 hours, especially in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
Are there 24 hour supermarkets in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai has dozens of round the clock options, including selected Carrefour Market, West Zone, Zoom, Blue Mart, and Grandiose branches, plus countless 24 hour baqalas in residential areas.
Which supermarkets are open 24 hours in Abu Dhabi?
Spinneys on the Corniche and selected Al Madina Hypermarket branches in Mussafah and Mohammed Bin Zayed City are the best known round the clock options, supported by 24 hour baqalas across the city.
Is Carrefour open 24 hours in the UAE?
Some standalone Carrefour and Carrefour Market branches operate 24 hours, while mall branches follow mall timings, typically 10:00 AM to midnight. Always check your specific branch.
How late are grocery stores open in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah?
Most supermarkets in both emirates close between 11:00 PM and midnight, with a few later options such as Pasons in Fujairah until 1:00 AM, and baqalas covering overnight needs.
Do grocery stores stay open during Ramadan?
Yes. Stores remain open during Ramadan, and many extend their hours after Iftar, staying open until 2:00 AM or later. Morning opening times may start a little later than usual.
Can I get groceries delivered late at night in the UAE?
Yes. Apps like Instashop, Talabat Mart, Careem Quik, and Noon Minutes deliver groceries late into the night across major cities, with 24 hour delivery available in many districts.