Business SetupTrade LicenseStarting A Cafe In Dubai — A Guide

July 19, 2022by Afrah0
 

Cafe License In UAE

Dubai is a fast-paced, rapidly expanding city. Centrally located in the Middle East, Dubai boasts a large volume of foreign investors and residents, who possess the ability to improve and expand the city’s economy. The food and beverage industry in particular has witnessed a growth-spurt, especially after the pandemic and lockdown. New cafes are seen on the corner of every street, and the abundance of choice does not hamper them from flourishing. This is why setting up a cafe in Dubai with an interesting or novel concept is a profitable and advantageous business move. In this guide, we will detail all the steps required to get your cafe running from scratch.  

Starting A Cafe In Dubai

While the process of starting a cafe in Dubai may be lengthy and comprehensive, it is by no means impossible to do. However, to avoid any mistakes that might lead you to not receiving a license that allows you to run a cafe, it is best to consult with business set-up experts and agencies to ensure you have the best possible chance.  Running a cafe in Dubai requires two main licenses. Firstly, you need a cafe/ coffee shop license. The Department of Economic Development (DED) is the entity in Dubai that is responsible for issuing licenses for all businesses. After this, you need to curate a detailed business plan, which will be presented to the food control department in Dubai. Once your plan has been approved, you can now apply for the food license, which is issued by the Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department (FSD). This license requires a copy of your trade license, as well as a blueprint of your cafeteria, detailing the entrances, exits, food cooking and processing regions, storage areas, ventilation units, windows, doors, equipment, etc.  Some aspects of keeping a cafeteria license valid require a constant maintenance of standards, particularly in the context of food safety and sanitation. Your cafe must adhere to the government structured rules regarding food production, hygiene, preparation, storage, ventilation, cleaning methods, etc.   

Steps To Procure A Cafe License 

  1. Apply for a trade license from DED
  2. Apply for a food license from FSD
  3. Find a location for your cafe 
  4. Draft an MOA (Memorandum of Association) 
  5. Sign a lease agreement with your partners (if any)
  6. Apply for an NOC (No Objection Certificate)
  7. Complete payments to obtain your cafeteria license 
 

Cost Of Setting Up A Cafe

Compared to full-fledged restaurants, setting up a cafe in Dubai is relatively a cost-effective option. The total cost is dependent on various elements, such as the trade license, the visas, approvals, property etc. In general, a cafe license costs approximately AED 35,000. Combined with this are additional costs, such as the tenancy contract, which rests on the total area of your cafe in square feet, and the location you have picked. Downtown properties cost significantly more than the residential areas, so this is something to be kept in mind when looking for locations.   

Bring Something New On The Scene!

Dubai breathes vibrance! In a city like this, it is of no surprise that there is always something new and shiny around the corner; an amusement park, a restaurant, a museum.  Cafes in Dubai have experienced a similar evolution. Today, you can find various cafes that exhibit certain themes or aesthetics. In particular, board-game cafes and sheesha cafes have seen immense popularity. Another fan-favorite is cat cafes. Who doesn’t want to spend a summer afternoon playing with a dozen kitties and sipping a latte?  The world is your oyster. Don’t hesitate to grace the streets of Dubai with a new, quirky, and engaging concept for your cafe. The market is booming and the possibilities are endless. With the aid of well-established delivery apps (such as Talabat or Zomato), your cafe will be profitable in no time!  If you believe running a cafe is your dream but don’t want to waste precious concept-designing time to the subtleties of setting up the cafe, don’t worry, it’s what OnTime Business Setup is here for. Drop by our office in Mazaya Center, and rest assured that your cafe is in good hands!      

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Cafe License In UAE

Dubai is a fast-paced, rapidly expanding city. Centrally located in the Middle East, Dubai boasts a large volume of foreign investors and residents, who possess the ability to improve and expand the city’s economy. The food and beverage industry in particular has witnessed a growth-spurt, especially after the pandemic and lockdown. New cafes are seen on the corner of every street, and the abundance of choice does not hamper them from flourishing. This is why setting up a cafe in Dubai with an interesting or novel concept is a profitable and advantageous business move. In this guide, we will detail all the steps required to get your cafe running from scratch.  

Starting A Cafe In Dubai

While the process of starting a cafe in Dubai may be lengthy and comprehensive, it is by no means impossible to do. However, to avoid any mistakes that might lead you to not receiving a license that allows you to run a cafe, it is best to consult with business set-up experts and agencies to ensure you have the best possible chance.  Running a cafe in Dubai requires two main licenses. Firstly, you need a cafe/ coffee shop license. The Department of Economic Development (DED) is the entity in Dubai that is responsible for issuing licenses for all businesses. After this, you need to curate a detailed business plan, which will be presented to the food control department in Dubai. Once your plan has been approved, you can now apply for the food license, which is issued by the Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department (FSD). This license requires a copy of your trade license, as well as a blueprint of your cafeteria, detailing the entrances, exits, food cooking and processing regions, storage areas, ventilation units, windows, doors, equipment, etc.  Some aspects of keeping a cafeteria license valid require a constant maintenance of standards, particularly in the context of food safety and sanitation. Your cafe must adhere to the government structured rules regarding food production, hygiene, preparation, storage, ventilation, cleaning methods, etc.   

Steps To Procure A Cafe License 

  1. Apply for a trade license from DED
  2. Apply for a food license from FSD
  3. Find a location for your cafe 
  4. Draft an MOA (Memorandum of Association) 
  5. Sign a lease agreement with your partners (if any)
  6. Apply for an NOC (No Objection Certificate)
  7. Complete payments to obtain your cafeteria license 
 

Cost Of Setting Up A Cafe

Compared to full-fledged restaurants, setting up a cafe in Dubai is relatively a cost-effective option. The total cost is dependent on various elements, such as the trade license, the visas, approvals, property etc. In general, a cafe license costs approximately AED 35,000. Combined with this are additional costs, such as the tenancy contract, which rests on the total area of your cafe in square feet, and the location you have picked. Downtown properties cost significantly more than the residential areas, so this is something to be kept in mind when looking for locations.   

Bring Something New On The Scene!

Dubai breathes vibrance! In a city like this, it is of no surprise that there is always something new and shiny around the corner; an amusement park, a restaurant, a museum.  Cafes in Dubai have experienced a similar evolution. Today, you can find various cafes that exhibit certain themes or aesthetics. In particular, board-game cafes and sheesha cafes have seen immense popularity. Another fan-favorite is cat cafes. Who doesn’t want to spend a summer afternoon playing with a dozen kitties and sipping a latte?  The world is your oyster. Don’t hesitate to grace the streets of Dubai with a new, quirky, and engaging concept for your cafe. The market is booming and the possibilities are endless. With the aid of well-established delivery apps (such as Talabat or Zomato), your cafe will be profitable in no time!  If you believe running a cafe is your dream but don’t want to waste precious concept-designing time to the subtleties of setting up the cafe, don’t worry, it’s what OnTime Business Setup is here for. Drop by our office in Mazaya Center, and rest assured that your cafe is in good hands!      
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