Setup a Restaurant in Dubai: Licences, Documents and Costs

Last updated: 2 October 2026. Government fees and regulations may change, so verify them before applying.

Key takeaways

•       A Dubai restaurant needs a DET trade licence and a Dubai Municipality food permit. One does not replace the other.

•       Dubai Municipality requires at least one certified, full-time, on-site Person in Charge in every food establishment.

•       Your kitchen layout should be approved before fit-out starts, and every permit application goes through the FoodWatch platform.

•       The highest cost is not the licence. It is the kitchen fit-out, rent, and deposits.

•       Alcohol needs a separate permit and is limited to eligible venues.

Why setup a restaurant in Dubai?

Dubai’s food sector is one of the fastest-growing in the emirate. Dubai Municipality reports that around 2,336 new food establishments opened in the first half of 2025, alongside 34,700 inspection visits. More recent figures reported by Gulf News, quoting Dubai Municipality, show 1,898 new food establishments opened in the first half of 2026, bringing the total to 29,303, with 31,563 inspections carried out in the same period. That works out to roughly 10 new food businesses a day.

The opportunity is strong, but competition is also significant. Regular inspections mean you must get compliance right from the start.

Which Licences Are Needed to Set Up a Restaurant in Dubai?

Two approvals sit at the centre of this process. A DET trade licence with the appropriate F&B activity and a Dubai Municipality food establishment permit. A cloud kitchen, for example, normally uses the “Restaurant Without Dine-In” classification and still needs the full municipality permit.

Dubai Municipality states that only the primary Person in Charge or a registered Technical Expert can apply for food permits through the FoodWatch platform. Plan your PIC before you plan your launch date.

Documents required to setup a restaurant in Dubai

For the DET trade licence

•       Passport copies of all owners and managers

•       UAE visa and Emirates ID copies, where applicable

•       Trade name reservation and initial approval

•       Memorandum of Association (MOA), if required for the chosen legal structure.

•       A signed commercial tenancy contract registered through Ejari.

•       Landlord No Objection Certificate (NOC) for fit-out

For the Dubai Municipality food permit

•       Valid trade licence with a food-related activity

•       Kitchen layout and floor plan, showing preparation, storage and washing areas

•       FoodWatch registration

•       Person in Charge certificate

•       Food safety plan, based on HACCP principles

•       Proof of a pest control contract with an approved company

•       Food handler training certificates and health cards

•       Menu details, where requested

The PIC requirement is formal. Dubai Municipality’s certification scheme says every food establishment must have at least one full-time, on-site PIC certified in food safety. The PIC must be formally nominated by the owner and registered on FoodWatch. Dubai Municipality’s training guideline adds that PIC certification is valid for 5 years unless withdrawn because of poor food safety performance.

How much does it cost to setup a restaurant in Dubai?

What is official and what is estimated

Dubai Municipality publishes some fees for activity-specific permits. For example, its food-related permits document lists AED 200 for a kiosk permit and AED 160 for a food truck or event permit. The core restaurant permit fee varies by premises and is not listed in a single public table that we could verify, so the figures below are adviser estimates. Treat them as planning ranges and confirm the final fee with DET and Dubai Municipality before you pay.

Typical government and compliance costs

One adviser puts the combined total at AED 22,000 to AED 42,000 for a mainland establishment, covering the DET licence and the Dubai Municipality permit. Another notes that Ejari registration also attracts a 5% market fee on annual rent, paid to Dubai Municipality.

What Is the Total Cost of Opening a Restaurant in Dubai?

The licence is only a small part of the overall budget. One Dubai licensing adviser estimates a casual 60-seat restaurant at AED 200,000 to AED 500,000 without alcohol, and AED 600,000 to AED 1.5 million for premium concepts. Most of that goes on:

•       Kitchen fit-out and equipment

•       Rent and security deposit

•       Architectural and MEP drawings for submission

•       Signage, POS and furniture

•       Staff salaries before you open

As far as we could find, the sources do not list a fixed minimum capital deposit for the food permit. Ask DET whether your chosen legal form carries a capital requirement.

How to Set Up a Restaurant in Dubai: Step-by-Step Process

1.      Define your concept. Decide between dine-in, cafeteria, or cloud kitchen, and estimate seats and kitchen size.

2.      Choose mainland or free zone. Mainland is the usual route for restaurants that serve the public across Dubai.

3.      Secure the right unit. Confirm with the landlord that the space can accommodate a commercial kitchen, ventilation, and a grease trap.

4.      Choose and reserve your trade name, then obtain initial approval.

5.      Register the tenancy in Ejari.

6.      Get the kitchen layout approved by Dubai Municipality before any fit-out starts.

7.      Register on FoodWatch and certify your Person in Charge.

8.      Complete the fit-out and get Civil Defence clearance.

9.      Book the Dubai Municipality inspection and receive the food permit.

10.   Collect the DET licence, finish staff health cards, and open.

One adviser estimates 88 to 92 days from application to opening for a fast-casual mainland restaurant with a turnkey-ready unit and clean documents. A full build usually takes longer.

Mainland or free zone for a restaurant?

Most restaurants choose a Dubai Mainland Business setup because it gives direct access to the local market and is the standard route for DET licensing. Free zone licences can suit cloud kitchens or specific concepts, but the municipality permit may differ by free zone, so check before you commit. For help comparing both options, see our guide to Dubai Mainland Business setup.

Compliance after you open

Inspections and grades. Dubai Municipality inspects food outlets regularly and records an inspection grade. Its permit rules refer to grades A to F, and note that permits can be withdrawn if the grade drops or critical violations are found.

Daily records. Registered establishments are expected to keep food safety records on FoodWatch, such as temperature checks and cleaning schedules.

Permit renewal. Food permits are renewed annually. Diarise renewals well ahead of expiry.

Alcohol. Serving alcohol needs a separate permit through Dubai Police licensing after the trade licence and food permit are in place, and it is restricted to eligible venues such as hotel-attached premises.

Tax. Restaurants charge 5% VAT, and corporate tax applies to taxable profits above AED 375,000. Check the latest UAE Corporate Tax rules and requirements directly with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) at tax.gov.ae.

Common mistakes to avoid

•       Signing a lease before confirming the unit can pass the kitchen layout and Civil Defence checks

•       Starting fit-out before the layout is approved

•       Having no certified Person in Charge ready

•       Budgeting for the licence only and forgetting the fit-out, deposits and pre-opening wages

•       Missing the annual permit renewal

FAQs about setting up a restaurant in Dubai

How much does it cost to setup a restaurant in Dubai?

Government licence and permit fees are often quoted at AED 22,000 to AED 42,000 for a mainland restaurant. The full opening budget for a casual 60-seat restaurant is often quoted at AED 200,000 to AED 500,000, mostly for fit-out and rent.

Which licences do I need to open a restaurant in Dubai?

You need a DET trade licence with a restaurant activity and a Dubai Municipality food establishment permit. You also need Civil Defence approval, FoodWatch registration, a certified Person in Charge, and health cards for food handlers.

Do I need a Dubai Municipality permit as well as a trade licence?

Yes. The trade licence lets you do business, and the municipality permit lets you handle and serve food. You need both.

What documents are required?

Passport and visa copies, trade name approval, a registered tenancy contract, landlord NOC, a kitchen layout, a PIC certificate, a food safety plan, a pest control contract, and staff health cards.

How long does it take?

A realistic timeline from application to opening is around three months for a ready-to-use unit, and longer for a full fit-out.

Can I serve alcohol in my restaurant?

Only in eligible venues, and with a separate permit. It is not part of the standard restaurant licence.

Can I open a cloud kitchen in Dubai?

Yes. A delivery-only kitchen normally uses the “Restaurant Without Dine-In” activity and still needs the Dubai Municipality food permit and Civil Defence approval.

Start your restaurant with Pure Docs

Opening a restaurant means working with several authorities at once, each with its own documents and deadlines. Pure Docs Business Consultants Services offers business setup services in the UAE, including mainland and free zone company formation, trade licensing, visas, and ongoing PRO support. Our team can guide you from your first application to your opening day. Speak to us today to setup a restaurant in Dubai the right way, or explore our trade licence consultants in Dubai service.

References

•       Dubai Municipality, Over 34,000 food inspections conducted in the first half of 2025

•       Dubai Media Office, Dubai Municipality conducts 34,700 food inspections in the first half of 2025

•       Dubai Municipality, Food and Food Related Permits and Approvals Services

•       Dubai Municipality, Requirements for Integrated Training Management System for Food Establishments

•       Gulf News, More than 10 new food businesses are launching in Dubai every day (reporting Dubai Municipality figures)

•       Federal Tax Authority, tax.gov.ae