Food & Beverage
Restaurant License in Dubai
Everything to open a restaurant, cafe or cloud kitchen in Dubai — license, food safety approvals, fit-out sign-offs and staff visas.
Opening a restaurant in Dubai involves more than a trade license: you'll need Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department approval, a compliant kitchen layout signed off before fit-out, Civil Defence clearance, and food handler certifications for staff. Getting the sequence wrong is the most expensive mistake in F&B — fit-out done before layout approval often has to be redone.
The license itself is a DED mainland commercial license (restaurants must be onshore to serve the local market), and your location decides much of your cost: Ejari-registered premises, parking requirements, and shisha or delivery add-ons each carry their own approvals. Cloud kitchens have become a lower-cost entry route with lighter location requirements.
DBM manages the entire chain — trade name, initial approval, food control submissions, layout approval coordination, license issuance, and the staff visas your kitchen and floor team need — so your opening date doesn't slip on paperwork.
Why Set Up With DBM
Correct Approval Sequence
Layout approval before fit-out — we sequence every submission to avoid re-work.
Food Safety Compliance
Dubai Municipality food control requirements handled, including PIC certification.
All Formats Covered
Restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, food trucks and cloud kitchens.
Location Guidance
Zoning, parking and Ejari checks before you sign an expensive lease.
Staff Visas at Scale
Chef, kitchen and service staff visas processed as a batch.
Add-On Permits
Delivery, outdoor seating and shisha permits arranged where eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a restaurant license cost in Dubai?
The DED license and food-safety approvals typically total AED 15,000–25,000; the real budget driver is premises and fit-out, which commonly takes an opening budget to AED 150,000+. DBM gives you a realistic itemised view before you commit.
Can I open a restaurant in a freezone?
Restaurants serving the public operate under mainland (DED) licenses. Freezone options exist for food trading or central kitchens, but customer-facing outlets are mainland — DBM structures this correctly.
How long does it take to open a restaurant in Dubai?
Licensing and approvals typically run 4–8 weeks alongside fit-out, assuming the layout is approved before construction starts. Cloud kitchens can be faster.
What is a cloud kitchen license?
A delivery-only food operation from a licensed commercial kitchen — lower rent, lighter parking/zoning requirements, and faster approvals than a dine-in restaurant.
Start Your Food & Beverage Journey Today
Get a free consultation and an itemised, no-surprises quote — usually within the hour.