How to Start Restaurant and Cafeteria Business Set up in Dubai?

Restaurant Formation in Dubai

If you’re looking to start a restaurant or open a cafeteria in Dubai, the formation process is largely the same.

You will require two separate licenses. The first is a trade license. This can be applied for either via the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), or via a free zone. Next, you must get your restaurant plans approved by the food control department. 

Once this stage is completed, you can then apply for your food license. This is issued by the Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department. As part of your application, you must provide the department with a copy of your trade license, and a restaurant floor plan which must include all entrances and exits, food processing areas, food storage areas, all windows and ventilation, all food processing equipment, and all washing equipment. 

For your license to remain valid, you must adhere to the ‘Food Code’. This is much like food safety laws in many other major countries and essentially involves meeting certain benchmarks in terms of food preparation, production, and hygiene. The code covers everything from where food can be made and stored, ventilation, cleaning facilities, and much more. 

The code is applicable to any establishment wishing to prepare or serve food including restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, and supermarkets. The purpose of the Food Code is to provide a set of model requirements to help food establishments achieve a higher degree of compliance with the food regulations, and attain a higher standard of food safety through the adoption of good practices. 

It also provides law enforcement officers of the Food Control Department and persons engaged in food business a common set of comprehensive advice and guidance on the application of the relevant regulations and recommended ways for compliance, with a view to improving consistency in the interpretation and application of the food regulations by all stakeholders. 

The requirements apply to every food establishment which imports, sells, offers for sale, or distributes free of charge, packages, prepares, displays, serves, manufactures, processes, or distributes food. 

The Food Code has, as its primary focus, a broad range of food establishments that include, but are not limited to, the following: