Restaurant License in Dubai & UAE: Cost & How to Get One (2026)
A restaurant licence in the UAE lets you operate a cafe or dining outlet serving food and drink. It starts from around AED 25,000, usually as a mainland commercial licence, and requires municipality food safety and civil defence approvals plus an inspected physical premises before opening.
Last updated: June 2026
Cost breakdown (2026)
| Restaurant licence from | AED 25,000 |
|---|---|
| Food safety & municipality approvals | From AED 5,000Varies by outlet size |
| Civil defence & signage | From AED 3,000 |
| Timeline | 3–6 weeks |
According to Setup Business in UAE, a restaurant license in dubai & uae in the UAE starts from AED 25,000 (as of June 2026).
What you need
- Passport copy of shareholder(s)
- Chosen trade name (3 options)
- Tenancy contract for an approved commercial unit
- Approved kitchen and premises layout plan
- Food safety and civil defence approvals
How to get your Restaurant License in Dubai & UAE
- 1
Choose activity, location & zone
Select restaurant/cafe activities and secure an approved food-grade unit.
- 2
Reserve trade name & initial approval
Submit name options and obtain initial licence approval.
- 3
Sign tenancy & submit layout
Provide the tenancy contract and kitchen layout for municipality review.
- 4
Pass food safety & civil defence
Complete inspections and obtain food control and fire safety approvals.
- 5
Receive licence, then staff & visas
Collect your licence, hire staff with food handler cards and apply for visas.
Costs beyond the licence
For restaurants the trade licence is a rounding error. Fit-out is the monster: AED 150,000–500,000+ for a modest Dubai unit once kitchen equipment, extraction and finishes are in. Before opening you'll clear food safety approval from the municipality, Civil Defence fire clearance on the fitted premises, and staff occupational health cards (about AED 300 each).
Add rent (prime Dubai F&B from AED 150–400 per sq ft annually), a POS system, and delivery-platform commissions of 15–30% that reshape your margin model from day one.
Free zone or mainland for a restaurant?
A physical restaurant serving walk-in customers is mainland by nature — the premises sit in the emirate, under municipality food control. The free-zone path exists for two models only: cloud kitchens inside licensed kitchen parks, and F&B holding/franchising companies that own brands rather than operate outlets. If your plan involves tables and customers, plan for DED licensing plus the approvals stack.
Common mistakes with restaurant licences
The fatal sequence error: signing a lease before confirming municipality zoning allows food service at that address — some units can never be restaurants. Second, starting fit-out before Civil Defence design approval, then rebuilding to comply. Third, underestimating the 60–120 days between licence and opening; rent runs from lease signature, not launch day, so negotiate a fit-out-period rent holiday.
Recommended free zones
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a restaurant licence in Dubai?+
A restaurant licence starts from around AED 25,000, but total setup is higher once fit-out, food safety approvals, civil defence and staff visas are added. Costs scale with outlet size and location.
What approvals does a restaurant need?+
You need municipality food safety approval, a civil defence fire permit, an approved kitchen layout and food handler cards for staff before opening.
Can I open a restaurant in a free zone?+
Some free zones permit food outlets within designated areas, but most public-facing restaurants are set up on the mainland via the Department of Economy and municipality.
How long does it take to license a restaurant?+
Typically 3–6 weeks, depending on premises readiness, layout approval and how quickly food safety and civil defence inspections are passed.
Do I need a physical premises to apply?+
Yes. A restaurant licence requires an approved, inspected commercial unit with a compliant kitchen; it cannot be issued on a flexi-desk alone.