Restaurant license in Dubai

A restaurant in Dubai needs more than a trade licence. The licence says what the business may do. Food safety approvals say whether the premises and your food handling are fit to operate, and they sit with Dubai Municipality. Fire and life safety approvals sit with Dubai Civil Defence.

Most restaurants that serve walk-in customers are set up on the mainland, so this page follows that route. Café, takeaway, cloud kitchen and food truck concepts follow the same food safety track, but the layout, equipment and approvals differ, so confirm the exact activity before you sign a lease.

For a general overview of the industry, see our page on restaurants, cafés and food businesses. This page focuses on the approvals that decide your opening date.

Typical government-side costs for a mainland restaurant

Typical October 2026 market ranges. Dubai Municipality and Civil Defence fees, fit-out and the lease are not included. Ask for a written quote.

What licences does a restaurant need in Dubai?

Two tracks run together. The first is the trade licence from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for a restaurant or café activity. The second is the Dubai Municipality (DM) approval for a food establishment. DM's Food Safety Department lists "request a permit for food activities" and "request a layout assessment for food establishment licensing" among its services, and says a food permit requires an active trade licence that matches the activity.

DM's published requirements for food establishments cover registration, layout approval, a food safety plan, a designated person in charge, staff training and inspection grades.

Dubai Municipality food safety approval

Food businesses register on DM's FoodWatch platform, submit the kitchen layout and food safety plan for review, and pass a physical inspection before a food safety certificate is issued. Meydan Free Zone's guidance for restaurants says the trade licence can be issued before DM approval, that operations cannot begin without the food safety certificate, and that DM approval can take up to six weeks from submission. Treat that as a planning figure for mainland too and confirm it with DM.

After opening, establishments are inspected and graded, and the permit depends on keeping an acceptable grade.

• Operating a food establishment without DM approval is unlawful in Dubai
• Plan equipment, separation of raw and cooked food, waste areas and sanitary areas on the layout before you fit out
• Name a person in charge with food safety training

Civil Defence approval for a restaurant

Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) runs the fire and life safety side. Its services include a request for a preventive inspection for licensing purposes, and its guidance says Civil Defence approval is needed before any alteration or addition to a building's fire systems. Its Hassantuk (commercial) service lists a trade licence and, for tenants, an Ejari tenancy contract as requirements. Ask your fit-out contractor which DCD approvals apply to your unit, because they depend on the building.

Cafe license and other food concepts

A cafe, takeaway, cloud kitchen or food truck uses a different activity name on the licence, and Meydan Free Zone's guidance puts restaurants, cafes, takeaway and delivery kitchens, cloud kitchens and food trucks under the same food safety steps. Serving alcohol needs separate permission that we do not cover here.

Steps to open a licensed restaurant in Dubai

1. 1

   Choose the exact activity and concept

   Restaurant, cafe, cloud kitchen and food truck are different activities with different layout expectations.

2. 2

   Reserve the trade name and get initial approval from DET

   Initial approval lets you lease premises; it is not the final licence.

3. 3

   Lease premises suitable for food use and register Ejari

   Check the unit can take the extraction, grease and drainage your kitchen needs before you sign.

4. 4

   Register on FoodWatch and submit the layout and food safety plan

   Dubai Municipality assesses the kitchen layout for the food establishment licence.

5. 5

   Fit out and obtain Civil Defence approvals

   Fire and life safety approvals follow the building and your fit-out.

6. 6

   Pass the Dubai Municipality inspection and collect the food safety certificate

   Do not open or serve customers before the certificate is issued.

7. 7

   Issue the final licence and apply for staff visas

   Once the licence is final, apply for the establishment card and residence visas for your team.

Documents you will usually prepare

• Passport copies for owners and partners
• DET initial approval certificate
• Ejari tenancy contract for the premises
• Kitchen layout drawings showing storage, preparation, equipment, waste and sanitary areas
• Food safety plan and menu or food categories
• Fit-out drawings and any Civil Defence approval letters

Things to weigh up

• {'title': 'Premises first', 'text': 'Approvals depend on the unit. Have the layout checked before signing a long lease.'}
• {'title': 'Timing', 'text': 'Food approval and fit-out run for weeks. Build that into your rent-free period and staff hiring plan.'}
• {'title': 'Alcohol and extra permits', 'text': 'Selling alcohol, shisha or running entertainment needs separate permission. Ask us before you plan the concept around it.'}