How to Get a Restaurant License in Dubai: A Complete Guide

The restaurant business in Dubai is always expanding and is home to many international
restaurant chains. The UAE’s restaurant sector is expected to reach $5.37 billion by 2025.
People choose Dubai as their most loved tourist destination, and opening a business in the
food sector is the most profitable option.

If you wish to open a restaurant, you must apply for a restaurant license in Dubai. This
article will cover all the information required to obtain one.

Key Takeaways:

• The cost of obtaining a restaurant license in Dubai ranges from AED 10,000 to AED 50,000.
• Both trade license and food license are required from the Department of Economic Development (DED and Dubai Municipality.

Everything You Need to Know to Get Your Restaurant
License in Dubai

Finding the Ideal Location for Your Business:

The first step is to select the location for your restaurant. There are two options:

Free Zone

• Free zone provides benefits of full foreign ownership – you can have 100% ownership of your business without local sponsorship.
• Enjoy tax exemptions such as no corporate tax and personal income tax. This improves profitability.
• Freezones have simplified setup and regulations, making it easier and faster to start a restaurant business.
• Each free zone has a set of permitted business activities. Businesses operating outside these designated activities may face penalties and restrictions.

Main Land

• Allows you to operate freely across the entire country and gives you wider access and flexibility. You can freely open additional branches across the country.
• Involves local sponsorship and has high regulation and operational costs.
• Opportunity to bid for government contracts and work with government entities.

Design a Business Plan and Cost

To start any business in Dubai, creating a business plan with a proper mission and vision for
the business, market analysis, and financial plan is important. This step is crucial as you’ll
need to submit it to the relevant authorities.

1. Get Your Licenses

Getting a restaurant License in Dubai is necessary to start a legally operating food
business in the city. This involves obtaining approvals from all the relevant authorities and
meeting the food code requirements. The license ensures compliance with health safety and
zoning regulations. Once this is done, you can serve your customers smoothly.

There are mainly two licenses that you have to acquire: Trade License and Food License.

2. Trade Licence

A trade license is issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED), which permits
a business operation in the UAE. The restaurant license cost in Dubai ranges from AED
10,000 to AED 50,000. This depends on the type of restaurant you plan to open.

A Free Zone trade license cost may differ as they have several packages with licensing
offers and the potential to lower the initial costs.

To obtain a Trade Licence in Dubai, the following are required:

1. Business Name Registration: Choose a unique name and register with the DED or
   relevant free zone authority.
2. Legal Structure: Decide the legal form of business, whether it is an LLC, sole
   proprietorship, or branch.
3. Office Space: A physical office space is required for registration.
4. Prepare and keep all necessary documents ready.
5. Special approvals: depending on the nature of the business, special approvals from
   each government department are required.
6. Apply for final approval and pay the fee.

3. Food Licence

After you have successfully obtained your trade license, it’s time to apply for a food license
to start the restaurant plan. This is issued by the Dubai Municipality’s Food Control
Department.

The documents required to obtain a food license are:

1. Trade license copy.
2. Premise Layout Approval: The layout must meet health and safety standards. It
   should include kitchen design, storage, food preparation areas, entry, exit, exterior,
   dishwashing space, and much more.
3. No objection certificate (NOC) from the planning department. This depends on the zoning law.
4. Food safety training certificate for staff.

Once all the documents are submitted, the final inspection will be made by the Dubai
Municipality and ensure the restaurant complies with all the food safety and hygiene
standards. After payment of fees, you will be granted the food license which allows you to
legally start a restaurant business in Dubai.

4. Other Licences

After successfully getting your trade and food license there are other licenses to obtain based on the
products and services that you offer. These include:

5. Liquor License

The liquor license, issued by the Dubai Police General Headquarters, is valid for one year,
and must be renewed annually. The city has strict rules and restrictions for alcohol
consumption. Restaurants selling alcohol are put with a 30% tax.

6. Pork Permit

If you plan to serve pork-based dishes in your restaurant, you must obtain a pork permit.
Dubai has strict guidelines for handling pork due to religious reasons.
To secure the permit, your restaurant must follow proper protocols, including separating
storage and preparation areas, and ensuring all pork dishes are clearly labelled.

Breakdown of various restaurant license costs in Dubai

License/Permit	Estimated Cost (AED)
Trade License	10,000-15,000
Food License	10,000-12,000
Liquor License	30,000-50,000
Shisha Permit	10,000-15,000
Pork Permit	2,000-10,000
Tourism License	15,000-20,000

Invest in Qualified Staff and High Technology

A restaurant is successful only because of the qualified and organized staff. Identify the
important roles and provide food safety training and get a Health Card from Dubai Health
Authority.

Your team will include:

• Managers
• Sous Chef
• Waiters
• Cleaning Staffs

Having qualified staff along with the latest technology will help the process of any work faster
and simpler. Whether it is an AI cooking machine, billing software, or a cleaning and serving
robot, invest in technology that meets your business goal.

FAQs