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How to Open a Restaurant in UAE — Licences, Costs, and Process Guide 2026
UAE’s hospitality sector is one of the world’s most competitive, with 20,000+ restaurants in Dubai alone. Setting up a restaurant in UAE requires multiple licences from different authorities. This guide covers how to open a restaurant in UAE in 2026.
In this guide:
UAE Restaurant — Required Licences and Approvals
- DED trade licence (Dubai): Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism restaurant licence; specify activity (restaurant; cafe; fast food; bakery); AED 8,000-20,000/year
- Dubai Municipality (DM) food licence: all food establishments in Dubai need a DM food licence; covers food safety standards; requires kitchen inspection by DM food safety inspector; AED 5,000-15,000/year
- Food handler cards: all staff working with food must have Dubai Municipality Food Handler card; each card requires a food safety training course; AED 150 per person
- Alcohol licence (if applicable): alcohol service requires a Liquor Licence from Dubai Tourism; only restaurants in hotels or approved standalone premises (DIFC, golf clubs, certain malls) can get alcohol licence; AED 50,000+/year; complex application
- Civil Defence approval: fire safety clearance for the restaurant premises; sprinkler system, fire exits, fire extinguishers; inspection by Dubai Civil Defence
UAE Restaurant Setup Cost Estimate (Dubai)
- DED trade licence: AED 15,000/year
- DM food licence: AED 8,000/year
- Fit-out: AED 200-500 per sqft; a 1,000 sqft restaurant = AED 200,000-500,000 fit-out cost
- Kitchen equipment: AED 50,000-300,000 depending on menu and scale
- Rent (Dubai): AED 150-400 per sqft/year for commercial restaurant space; 1,000 sqft = AED 150,000-400,000/year
- Staff: 5-15 staff for a typical mid-size restaurant; AED 3,000-6,000/month per staff + visa costs
- Total first year investment: AED 500,000-2,000,000 for a full-service restaurant in Dubai; more for premium location or cuisine
UAE Restaurant — Common Pitfalls
- DM pre-approval: get DM NOC (No Objection Certificate) BEFORE signing the lease and beginning fit-out; some locations are not approved for food establishments; wasted fit-out investment if DM denies later
- Halal certification: all meat served must be halal; ensure all suppliers have halal certification; DM inspectors will check; non-halal meat serving is a serious violation
- Pork: pork is available only in licensed premises (hotel restaurants, DIFC); cannot serve pork in a standalone restaurant without a pork licence
- No alcohol without licence: serving alcohol without a valid liquor licence is a criminal offence in UAE; never serve alcohol from a restaurant that doesn’t have an alcohol licence
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