DET trade licence, Dubai Municipality food permit, Civil Defence fire safety, DHA health compliance, and Ejari-registered commercial tenancy.
Restaurant & F&B
Restaurant License Dubai
Launch your restaurant, café, or food business in Dubai with the correct trade licence and sector approvals — KPM Global Services coordinates DET licensing, Dubai Municipality food permits, and DHA health compliance.
- Dubai Municipality
- Food Safety
- DHA Compliant
F&B Setup
Restaurant License Dubai
1Premise
2Licence
3Approvals
4Open
Sector-specific compliance
Municipality, DHA, and civil defence clearances.
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UAE Clients Served
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Years UAE Experience
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Overview
Dubai restaurant licence explained
A restaurant licence in Dubai requires a mainland commercial trade licence with food and beverage activities, plus mandatory approvals from Dubai Municipality (food safety), Dubai Health Authority (DHA) for certain formats, and Dubai Civil Defence for fire safety compliance.
Restaurant setup involves securing a suitable commercial tenancy with kitchen facilities, obtaining food establishment permit, HACCP documentation, and trade licence with restaurant or café activity codes from Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
KPM Global Services manages the multi-agency approval sequence — ensuring your premises, licence activities, and food safety documentation align before fit-out investment begins.
Who This Is For
Food businesses needing restaurant licence
- Restaurant and fine dining operators
- Café and coffee shop entrepreneurs
- Cloud kitchen and delivery-only food brands
- Franchise operators launching F&B concepts in Dubai
- Hotel and hospitality F&B outlet managers
- Food truck and casual dining startups
How We Help
Restaurant licence services
Premises advisory
Confirm tenancy location permits restaurant activity and kitchen requirements.
Trade licence
Obtain mainland commercial licence with restaurant or café activities.
Municipality food permit
Coordinate Dubai Municipality food establishment approval and inspections.
DHA compliance
Manage health authority requirements for food handling and hygiene.
Civil defence clearance
Arrange fire safety inspection and NOC from Dubai Civil Defence.
HACCP documentation
Guide food safety management system documentation for approval.
Process
Six steps to restaurant licence
- 1
Concept & location
Define F&B concept and secure commercial tenancy with kitchen infrastructure.
- 2
Trade licence
Obtain DET commercial licence with restaurant activity codes.
- 3
Municipality approval
Submit floor plans and apply for food establishment permit.
- 4
Health & safety
Complete DHA requirements and Civil Defence fire safety inspection.
- 5
Fit-out & inspection
Complete kitchen fit-out and pass final Municipality inspection.
- 6
Opening approval
Receive final operating permit and commence restaurant operations.
Documents
Restaurant licence documents
- Shareholder passport copies and photographs
- Ejari-registered commercial tenancy contract
- Floor plan and kitchen layout drawings
- Memorandum of Association
- Food safety management plan (HACCP)
- Pest control contract agreement
- Civil Defence fire safety compliance certificate
- Staff health fitness certificates
Pricing
Restaurant licence cost factors
Restaurant setup costs extend well beyond the trade licence to include approvals and fit-out.
- Mainland commercial licence and establishment fees
- Commercial tenancy and Ejari registration
- Dubai Municipality food permit and inspection fees
- Civil Defence and DHA approval charges
- Kitchen fit-out and equipment investment
Restaurant approval timelines depend on fit-out quality and inspection outcomes. KPM Global Services scopes licence and approval fees separately from fit-out.
Timeline
Restaurant licence timeline
1–2 weeks
Licence & tenancy
Trade licence obtained; commercial lease Ejari-registered.
2–4 weeks
Approvals filed
Municipality, DHA, and Civil Defence applications submitted.
4–8 weeks
Fit-out
Kitchen and dining fit-out completed to specification.
8–12 weeks
Final inspection
Passing inspection and operating permit issued.
Avoid Mistakes
Restaurant licence mistakes
- Signing tenancy before confirming Municipality permits restaurant activity at location
- Starting fit-out before food establishment permit approval
- Ignoring hood, ventilation, and grease trap specifications in kitchen design
- Using free zone licence for mainland restaurant operations
- Employing food handlers without valid health fitness certificates
- Missing alcohol licence separately if serving beverages (requires additional approval)
Why KPM
Why Choose KPM Global Services
UAE-focused advisory
Practical guidance on restaurant licensing in Dubai from a Dubai-based team that works with authorities, banks, and regulators daily.
Clear documentation
Structured checklists, realistic timelines, and transparent scope so you know what is included before you proceed.
Connected services
Link setup, visas, banking, accounting, VAT, Corporate Tax, PRO, and legal support through one coordinated advisory journey.
No generic templates
Advice is tailored to your activity, shareholders, jurisdiction, and operational plans — not a one-size-fits-all package.
Free Consultation
Request a Quote — Restaurant License Dubai
Share your requirements and our UAE advisory team will respond with practical next steps and a transparent scope.
FAQ
Restaurant License Dubai — Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers about restaurant license dubai in the UAE.
Ready to get started with Restaurant License Dubai?
Speak with KPM Global Services for practical UAE guidance — free consultation, no obligation.