Open a restaurant, café or coffee shop in Dubai with one advisor
Food and beverage businesses need more approvals than most. We guide you from concept and location to trade licence, food-establishment approvals, fit-out coordination, staff visas and opening day, with every government and third-party fee shown separately.
More approvals, more coordination
A café or restaurant in Dubai usually needs a mainland trade licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism, a registered lease for a suitable commercial unit, food-establishment and layout approvals from Dubai Municipality, and civil defence approval for the fit-out. Staff who handle food need health and food-safety training.
The order matters: choosing a unit before checking it can be approved for food is one of the most expensive mistakes. We plan the sequence with you from the start.
What we coordinate
- Activity selection and trade-name approval
- Location checks before you sign a lease
- Trade licence and registered tenancy contract
- Kitchen layout and food-establishment approvals
- Fit-out and civil defence coordination with licensed contractors
- Staff visas, medical tests, food-safety training and signage permits
From concept to opening day
Format, seating, menu style, target area and a realistic budget including fit-out and working capital.
Unit checks, initial approval, lease registration and trade licence.
Layout approval, fit-out by licensed contractors, inspections and civil defence.
Visas, training, food-safety registration, signage and soft opening.
F&B businesses we help set up
Full-service dining with kitchen, seating and, where needed, outdoor seating permits.
Specialty coffee, bakeries and dessert concepts in malls, offices and street units.
Delivery-only kitchens with lower rent and aggregator platform onboarding.
Mobile and kiosk formats with their own permit and location rules.
Corporate and event catering from an approved central kitchen.
Support for local outlets of international or regional brands.
How F&B setup costs are split
| Cost type | Examples | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| Government fees | Trade licence, municipality approvals, civil defence, signage permits, visas | Relevant authorities |
| Third-party fees | Rent and deposit, fit-out contractor, kitchen equipment, training providers, insurance | Landlords and suppliers |
| Tajnes fee | Planning, applications and coordination from concept to opening | Agreed in your written quotation |
Government fees change and depend on location, size and activity. VAT at 5% applies to the Tajnes service fee only. Your exact costs are set out in a written quotation. T&Cs apply.
Mistakes that delay openings
Signing a lease before confirming that the unit can be approved for food use, starting fit-out before layout approval, and underestimating working capital are the most common causes of delay. Grease traps, ventilation and fire safety often decide whether a unit is suitable.
We cannot guarantee approvals, which are always at the authorities' discretion, but careful planning avoids most surprises. This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions clients ask us
Can I open a café with a free zone licence?
Outlets serving the general public in Dubai are usually licensed on the mainland. Some free zones allow F&B within their own premises. We check the right option for your location.
How long does it take to open?
Licensing can take a few weeks, but approvals and fit-out usually make the full process two to six months, depending on the unit and scope.
Do I need a local partner?
Most mainland activities now allow full foreign ownership. We confirm the rules for your exact activity before you apply.
Do you help find a location?
We help you define what you need and check units for approval risks. For leasing we refer you to licensed real estate brokers, as Tajnes is not a broker.
How is VAT charged?
VAT at 5% applies to the Tajnes service fee only. Authorities and suppliers charge their own fees and taxes.
Plan your restaurant or café with one advisor
Share your concept and preferred area, and we will map the approvals, timeline and costs.
