Restaurant & Cafe Business Setup in UAE

Name: GloboPrime Corporate Services Provider
Price range: $$

Starting a restaurant, cafe, or food business in the UAE requires two separate licensing tracks running in parallel: a trade license from the economic authority (DET in Dubai, ADDED in Abu Dhabi, or the relevant free zone) and a food establishment license from the food safety authority (Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department in Dubai, or ADAFSA in Abu Dhabi). Unlike most business activities where a single trade license is sufficient, every food and beverage business in the UAE must satisfy both the commercial licensing authority and the food safety regulator before it can legally serve a single customer.

Whether you are opening a full-service restaurant, a cafeteria, a fast-food outlet, a cafe, a cloud kitchen, a food truck, a catering company, or a bakery the regulatory framework covers DET/DED activity codes (5610 series for restaurants and mobile food service), Dubai Municipality’s Food Code, kitchen layout approval, HACCP compliance, civil defense fire safety certification, Ejari lease registration, Food Watch portal registration, food handler training, and staff health card requirements. GloboPrime Corporate Services manages both licensing tracks from business plan to grand opening so your F&B venture launches on time and fully compliant.

Why the UAE Is One of the Best Places to Open a Restaurant

Dubai’s F&B market is projected to exceed USD 23 billion in 2026. The city already has around 13,000 cafes and restaurants and ranks second worldwide for restaurant density, according to DET’s Gastronomy Industry Report. Dubai welcomed 18.72 million international tourists in 2024 (a 9% rise over 2023), and the expat population, approximately 90% of Dubai’s 3.65 million residents, drives consistent year-round dining demand.

100% foreign ownership now available for restaurant businesses on the mainland (since 2021 Commercial Companies Law amendment)
No personal income tax on restaurant profits: corporate tax at 9% applies only above AED 375,000 taxable income
High spending power: Dubai residents have strong disposable income and a dining-out culture
Diverse customer base: 200+ nationalities means demand for every cuisine type
Booming food delivery market: platforms like Talabat, Deliveroo, and Careem Eats have made cloud kitchens one of Dubai’s fastest-growing F&B segments
Government support: streamlined digital licensing through the Invest in Dubai portal, with some licenses issued in minutes for eligible activities

Types of Restaurant & Food Businesses You Can Set Up

Business Type	DET Activity Code	Description
Restaurant	5610.01	Full-service dining with seated or self-service meals, diverse menu, cooking on premises
Cafeteria	5610.02	Smaller food outlet with limited menu, ready-to-eat foods, snacks, beverages, light meals
Fast-Food Restaurant	5610.03	Quick-service outlet with standardised menu, counter ordering, takeaway focus
Take-Out Eating Place	5610.05	Primarily takeaway food service, minimal or no dine-in seating
Cloud Kitchen / Ghost Kitchen	5610.01 or 5610.05	Delivery-only food business with no dine-in: prepares meals for online platforms like Talabat and Deliveroo
Food Truck / Mobile Food Cart	5610.07	Mobile food service from motorised or non-motorised carts at approved locations and events
Catering Company	5610 (catering)	Prepares and delivers food for events, corporate functions, hospitals, schools, and labour camps
Bakery / Confectionery	5610 (bakery)	Produces baked goods, pastries, and confectionery for sale on premises or delivery
Cafe / Coffee Shop	5610.02	Coffee-focused outlet with light food, pastries, and beverages
Ice Cream Vendor	5610.06	Ice cream truck or parlour operations

Important: The specific DET activity code you choose determines your license type, minimum kitchen space requirements, whether you qualify for an instant license, and which external approvals are needed. Selecting the wrong code causes delays and may require a license amendment later. GloboPrime verifies your exact activity code before filing.

The Two Licenses Every Restaurant Needs

1. Trade License (from DET, ADDED, or Free Zone Authority)

This is your commercial license to operate a business. It is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for the Dubai mainland, by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) for the Abu Dhabi mainland, or by the relevant free zone authority. The trade license authorises you to conduct the specific food business activity and is required before you can apply for visas, open a bank account, or sign commercial contracts.

2. Food Establishment License / Food Safety Permit (from Municipality or ADAFSA)

This is your food safety license. In Dubai, it is issued by the Food Safety Department of Dubai Municipality. In Abu Dhabi, it is issued by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). This license confirms that your kitchen layout, food handling processes, hygiene standards, and staff training meet the emirate’s food safety regulations. Without this license, you cannot legally prepare or serve food even if you already have a trade license.

How to Set Up a Restaurant in the UAE: Step by Step

Develop your concept and business plan: define your cuisine, target market, service model (dine-in, takeaway, delivery, or hybrid), menu scope, and financial projections. This shapes every decision that follows.
Choose your jurisdiction: mainland (DET in Dubai, ADDED in Abu Dhabi) or free zone. Mainland is preferred for most restaurants because it allows you to operate at any location in the emirate and serve the local market directly. Free zones may offer lower setup costs but restrict you to operating within the zone.
Select your legal structure: LLC is the most common for restaurants. 100% foreign ownership is available for most F&B activities on the mainland since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reform.
Choose your DET activity code: Restaurant (5610.01), Cafeteria (5610.02), Fast Food (5610.03), etc. The code determines license type, minimum kitchen area, and whether external approvals are needed.
Reserve your trade name: through the Invest in Dubai portal or DET. The name must comply with UAE naming guidelines, be unique, and reflect your business activity.
Obtain initial approval from DET: this confirms your chosen activity and trade name are acceptable and gives you the green light to proceed with leasing and fit-out.
Secure your commercial premises: find a location that meets Dubai Municipality’s food establishment requirements. For restaurants, the minimum food area is typically 750 sq ft; for cafeterias, 500 sq ft. Register the lease through Ejari.
Submit kitchen layout to Dubai Municipality (Food Safety Department): before construction or fit-out, your floor plan, kitchen layout, equipment list, and food flow must be reviewed and approved. This is called the Layout Assessment. Inspectors check that raw food and cooked food paths are separated, handwash stations are accessible, ventilation meets standards, and the layout prevents cross-contamination.
Obtain Dubai Civil Defence fire safety NOC: if your restaurant uses gas installations, has indoor seating, or exceeds certain size thresholds, Civil Defence must inspect and approve fire suppression systems, emergency exits, and alarm systems.
Complete fit-out and pass final inspections: build out your restaurant according to the approved layout. Dubai Municipality conducts a final on-site inspection to verify compliance with the approved kitchen layout, hygiene standards, and food handling procedures before issuing the food establishment license.
Register on Dubai Municipality’s FoodWatch portal: all food businesses must register on FoodWatch for inspections, compliance tracking, and ongoing food safety monitoring.
Obtain food handler training certificates: every staff member handling food must complete accredited food safety and hygiene training. In Abu Dhabi, ADAFSA requires the Essential Food Safety Training (EFST) certificate.
Obtain health cards for all staff: all employees require valid health cards issued after medical fitness tests from authorised health centres.
Submit final documents and pay fees to DET: receive your mainland trade license.
Register with Dubai Chamber of Commerce: mandatory for mainland companies.
Open a corporate bank account: present your trade license, MOA, and shareholder documents.
Apply for visas: register for an Establishment Card with MOHRE, then apply for investor, employee, and family visas through GDRFA.
Register for corporate tax with FTA: 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Small Business Relief available for revenue under AED 3 million until 31 December 2026.
Launch: plan a soft opening to test operations, then execute your grand opening with marketing.

Food Safety Requirements: Dubai Municipality & ADAFSA

Dubai Municipality Food Code

Dubai Municipality’s Food Code is the comprehensive regulation governing all food businesses in the emirate. It applies to restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, bakeries, hotels, catering companies, food trucks, supermarkets, and any establishment that manufactures, prepares, trades, or sells food. Key requirements include:

Person in Charge (PIC): every food establishment must have a designated PIC who has passed a written food safety examination acceptable to the Food Safety Department. The PIC’s name must be displayed behind the cash counter or in a clearly visible location
HACCP compliance: food establishments must systematically examine all food handling operations, identify potential hazards, implement control measures, monitor critical control points, and maintain records
Third-party food safety audits: establishments must have their food safety programme audited by a Dubai Municipality-approved third-party auditor at a frequency applicable to their category
Temperature control: strict requirements for hot holding, cold holding, cooling, and reheating of food at safe temperatures
Supplier approval: all ingredients and raw materials must be sourced from Dubai Municipality-approved suppliers
Ventilation: mechanical ventilation with exhaust hoods above all cooking equipment, airflow directed from clean to dirty areas
Non-slip, non-absorbent flooring, light-coloured wall tiles, shatterproof lighting
Separate storage for raw and cooked food with clear workflow paths to prevent cross-contamination

Abu Dhabi: ADAFSA Requirements

In Abu Dhabi, food establishments are regulated by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), formerly known as Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA). ADAFSA operates under Abu Dhabi’s Law No. 2 of 2008 regarding Food in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Requirements include:

Preliminary approval for food establishment location from ADAFSA before construction
HACCP plan showing how food risks are controlled at each stage: storage, preparation, cooking, and serving
Essential Food Safety Training (EFST) certificate for all food handlers: ADAFSA’s mandatory training programme
Kitchen layout must prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked food
Zadna Rating: ADAFSA publishes online ratings of food establishments based on food safety compliance
Regular inspections including unannounced visits and remote video-call inspections through ADAFSA’s self-control application
Violation of food safety requirements can result in fines or administrative closure

Ref: ADAFSA (adafsa.gov.ae); Practice Guide No. 33 of 2020; Abu Dhabi Law No. 2 of 2008

Additional Permits You May Need

Permit	When Required	Issuing Authority
Liquor License	If serving alcohol: additional AED 25,000–40,000 annually	Dubai Department of Parks and General Hygiene (DPGH)
Pork / Non-Halal Food Permit	If handling or serving pork products	Dubai Municipality
Outdoor Signage Permit	For any exterior signage or branding on premises	Dubai Municipality
Waste Management Permit	Mandatory for all restaurants: contract with licensed waste disposal company	Dubai Municipality / local waste authority
Delivery Permit	If operating food delivery vehicles	Dubai Municipality / RTA
Food Truck / Mobile Unit Permit	For food trucks or mobile carts at approved locations	Dubai Municipality + RTA
Ramadan Permit	To serve food during fasting hours in Ramadan	Dubai Municipality
Civil Defence NOC	Fire safety: gas installations, indoor seating, fire suppression systems	Dubai Civil Defence
Occupancy Permit / Landlord NOC	Confirmation that premises are safe and fit for food business use	Landlord / building management
DTCM Approval	If restaurant is classified as a tourism establishment	Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing

Restaurant Business Setup Cost in the UAE

Cost Component	Estimated Range (AED)
Trade name reservation + initial approval	620 – 1,200
DET trade license (restaurant activity)	10,000 – 15,000
MOA notarization	2,000 – 5,000
Ejari registration	200 – 500
Commercial premises (annual rent)	40,000 – 500,000+ (depends on location, size, footfall)
Dubai Municipality layout assessment + food license	3,000 – 8,000
Civil Defence NOC	2,000 – 5,000
HACCP certification	5,000 – 15,000
Kitchen fit-out and equipment	100,000 – 500,000+
Interior design and furniture	50,000 – 300,000+
Dubai Chamber of Commerce	1,200 – 3,000
Investor/partner visa (per person)	3,000 – 5,000
Employee visas (per person)	3,000 – 5,000
Staff health cards and food safety training	500 – 1,500 per person
Liquor license (if applicable)	25,000 – 40,000 annually
Total estimated range (small cafeteria)	AED 180,000 – 300,000
Total estimated range (mid-size restaurant)	AED 300,000 – 800,000
Total estimated range (full-service restaurant)	AED 500,000 – 1,500,000+

Note: Estimates based on industry data for 2026. Actual costs vary by concept, location, size, and fit-out quality. GloboPrime provides customized quotes.

Start Your Restaurant Business in UAE with GloboPrime

Ready to start your restaurant, cafe, cloud kitchen, or food business in the UAE? GloboPrime Corporate Services provides end-to-end restaurant business setup in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and all UAE emirates, covering DET trade license, Dubai Municipality food safety approval, ADAFSA certification, HACCP compliance, Ejari registration, visa processing, and complete PRO services. Whether you are planning a cafeteria, food truck, catering company, or full-service restaurant, our experts ensure fast approvals, correct activity code selection, and full regulatory compliance from day one. Contact GloboPrime today for a free consultation and get a clear, transparent quote to launch your restaurant business in the UAE quickly and without delays.