Obtaining a restaurant license in Dubai

Do you know that Dubai has the most diverse culinary scene? It has a flourishing food market, and the restaurant business is the most profitable investment in this city.

The Emirate is the culinary hub and is famous for its vibrant lifestyle and dynamic culture, drawing in food lovers to taste various cuisines of Asia. It’s an ideal spot for aspiring eateries, cafes, and open restaurants.

If you are planning to start a restaurant business, you must get a restaurant license in Dubai and additional permits for compliance. You need to understand the legal framework, requirements, and key considerations to adapt to evolving food trends and ensure the successful establishment in this thriving food market.

This blog post shares detailed information on how to acquire a restaurant license to open a restaurant in Dubai, and discusses influencing aspects and concerns for this business.

Establishing a Restaurant with a Food Code: Food and Health Security Measures in Dubai

If you want to start a restaurant in Dubai, you must comply with the Food Code. The food code is a project by the Food Control Department of Dubai Municipality to ensure that food is secure from production until consumption. 

It also helps the main individual in charge of the restaurant and sets standards for food security in the restaurant business.

Wellness & Hygiene:

• Keep the kitchen, dining spaces, and restrooms tidy and free of germs.
• To avoid infection, learn how to handle food safely.
• Clean and sterilize surfaces, appliances, and equipment regularly.
• To keep food from rotting, keep it at the right temperature.

Food Security:

• Use ingredients that are fresh and of good quality.
• To destroy harmful germs, cook meals to the appropriate internal temperatures.
• To store prepared food adequately to avoid cross-contamination.
• Mark precise expiry dates on food products and meals.

Staff Hygiene:

Ensure that your staff maintain proper personal hygiene by washing their hands often and wearing clean outfits. Teach your staff how to implement food security best practices.

Controlling Pests:

Use efficient pest control techniques to prevent pests from getting into the restaurant space. Check the property often for indications of pests.

Handling Waste:

• Dispose of food waste and other garbage in the right way.
• Ensure that trash cans are clean.
• According to the restaurant category and its activities, the specific needs may be different.

Dubai Municipality checks eateries on a regular basis to ensure they are following food safety standards. If they fail to comply with the regulations, they might be penalized, sanctioned, or even have their business shut down.

Exploring Restaurant License Types in Dubai

Once you’ve found the perfect spot for your restaurant in Dubai, you need to get all the permissions you require to operate it. When establishing a restaurant, you mostly need to have two different types of restaurant licenses in Dubai:

Food Hygiene License:

The Municipality’s Food Security Department issues this license only to enterprises that deal with food. It ensures that your restaurant complies with the regulations for hygiene and food security in your area.

Restaurant Trade License:

A license for a restaurant in Dubai is necessary for all restaurant businesses in Dubai. The DED permits doing business in the city. 

You may also need various licenses and authorizations based on the distinctive characteristics or services your restaurant offers:

Food Products Moving Vehicle Permission:

A restaurant that uses delivery vehicles must have a valid vehicle authorization.

License To Sell Alcohol:

You must get a liquor license if you intend to offer alcohol at your restaurant. The Dubai Police are in charge of this license and ensure that severe regulations are observed.

License to Release Food Shipment:

Restaurants that import food products from other countries need this authorization.

Getting these restaurant permits is the initial and most significant phase in opening a restaurant in Dubai. They will help you comply with the rules and succeed in the city’s thriving culinary scene.

Dubai Restaurant License Cost: Influencing Factors and Considerations

The restaurant license cost in Dubai is usually between AED ten thousand and AED twenty-five thousand. It depends on the size and location of the restaurant. You should also think about other expenses, like:

• Approval for food security from the Dubai Municipality and expenses for registering a trade name.
• Lease or rental contract.
• Fees for preliminary approval and rent for the space.

Various things that can affect the cost of a restaurant license in Dubai, such as:

Food License Type:

License for a food truck, Dine-in, takeout, or alcohol.

The Dimensions of The Restaurant: 

Fees tend to increase when the establishment becomes larger.

Location of the Restaurant:

The location of your restaurant in Dubai may affect the fees you have to pay.

Additional Permissions: 

The total cost is going to rise due to the fees for permits like musical performances or alcohol licenses.

A restaurant license in Dubai costs are usually lower than those in larger cities throughout the globe.

Obtaining a Food License in Dubai: Simplified Process with Requirements

You may approach the Food Security Department to get your food license after getting initial permission from the DED. In Dubai, the Food Security Department is in charge of issuing the Food Security License. You need to obtain your trade license from the DED before you can apply for this license. 

It is a simple way to process further:

• Get the DED’s first permission and the trading license.
• Send your application and the necessary documentation to the Food Security Department.
• Give the required paperwork:

1. A trade license copy or the main permission from the DED or the freezone entity that is in charge.
2. The plan of the inside of the building, which includes:
3. Passages for getting in and out.
4. Space for cooking and eating food, storage space for food, windows, and the air conditioning system.
5. The meal preparation tools space
6. Dishwashers and other helpful tools.

By fulfilling these criteria and getting your Food Security License, you can be guaranteed that your restaurant meets Dubai’s high food safety and hygiene regulations.

You may open your restaurant in the city-state after you acquire the food and commerce permits. But you may need to get more licenses based on your activities.

Conclusion

Starting a restaurant company in Dubai may be very profitable and successful, and the favorable environment can be beneficial for the restaurant business. However, it can also be quite expensive, and the licensing procedure involves extra formalities to ensure the restaurant follows the UAE’s Food Code.

These steps are important to ensure that the food business and associated services in the nation are of excellent standards. Reach out to the right authorities or local experts before applying for a restaurant license in Dubai or launching a food-related business to prevent legal and financial complications.

Connect FZ can help you navigate smoothly and establish a restaurant in Dubai successfully. Contact us today!

FAQs

What’s the distinction between a restaurant license and a cafeteria license in Dubai?

A cafeteria license is usually for modest, self-service eateries where clients take out their meals and pay at the counter. For more spacious, full-service establishments with table service and an extensive menu, you need a restaurant license.

How can you define the Food Code in Dubai?

The Food Security Department of the Dubai Municipality ensures that food safety standards are observed. The food code is what people generally refer to as these rules. They encompass numerous aspects of cooking, processing, storing, and serving food.

Who gives the No Objection certificate for setting up a restaurant in Dubai?

The No Objection certificate for setting up a restaurant in Dubai comes from the Dubai Municipality.