Opening a restaurant or café in Dubai in 2025 is one of the most profitable moves you can make — if you survive the approval jungle. A perfectly executed business setup in Dubai for an F&B business now costs between AED 185,000 and AED 650,000+ depending on size and location, and takes 45–120 days from zero to grand opening. This is the ultimate no-stone-unturned guide used by the 1,800+ new restaurants that launched successfully in 2025.
Why Dubai Remains the F&B Gold Rush in 2025
- 21+ million tourists expected (pre-COVID record already broken)
- Average monthly spend per resident on dining out: AED 2,200
- 42 % profit margins common (zero income tax + high ticket sizes)
- 1,200+ new F&B licenses issued Jan–Oct 2025 alone
The 6 Mandatory Licenses & Approvals You Cannot Skip
| Approval | Issuing Authority | Time Required | Cost 2025 (AED) |
| Trade License (Food & Beverage) | DED or Free Zone | 7–14 days | 15,000–45,000 |
| Food Safety Approval | Dubai Municipality | 21–45 days | 12,000–35,000 |
| Kitchen & Shop Drawing Approval | Dubai Municipality | 14–30 days | 8,000–25,000 |
| Alcohol License (if applicable) | Dubai Tourism (DTCM) | 45–90 days | 35,000–120,000 |
| Outdoor Seating / Shisha (if any) | DLD + DM | 14–30 days | 15,000–60,000 |
| Live Music / Entertainment | DTCM | 30–60 days | 25,000–80,000 |
Skip any one → instant closure order.
Step-by-Step 10-Phase Timeline (Average 78 Days)
Phase 1 – Concept & Location (Weeks 1–4)
Decide cloud kitchen vs. 50-seat café vs. fine-dining. Prime locations left in 2025:
- JLT cluster P–Z (cheaper than Downtown)
- Al Quoz industrial gourmet zone
- Dubai Hills Estate & Damac Hills (new family hotspots)
Phase 2 – Company Formation (Days 1–14)
Mainland LLC mandatory for restaurants (free zones do NOT allow F&B with public access).
Recommended: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) or Meydan mainland branch.
Phase 3 – Secure Premises & Ejari (Weeks 3–6)
Minimum built-up kitchen area: 400 sq ft + 120 sq ft cold room.
Average shell & core rent 2025:
- JLT / Business Bay: AED 180–280/sq ft
- Downtown / Marina: AED 350–550/sq ft
Phase 4 – Architectural Drawings & DM Approval (Weeks 5–10)
Must include: grease trap, exhaust system, 3-compartment sink, pest control plan.
2025 change: All drawings must now be submitted via Dubai Building Permit System (not email).
Phase 5 – Food Safety Training & HACCP Plan
Manager + 50 % of staff must complete Dubai Municipality Level 2–3 food safety course (AED 750/person).
Phase 6 – Final DM Inspection & Food License
Two inspections minimum. Pass rate on first visit in 2025: only 38 %.
Phase 7 – Alcohol License (Optional but Lucrative)
2025 quota exhausted in Downtown & Marina by March → apply in JLT or new areas early.
Phase 8 – Signage, Civil Defence & Final Fit-Out
Civil Defence approval now mandatory before DM food license (new 2025 rule).
Phase 9 – Staff Visas & Medicals
You need at least 1 UAE/GCC chef or F&B manager for approval.
Phase 10 – Soft Opening & Grand Opening
First 30 days classified as “trial period” — no marketing allowed until full license sticker displayed.
Full Cost Breakdown 2025 – Three Real Scenarios
| Item | Cloud Kitchen (20 seats) | Mid-Range Café (60 seats) | Fine Dining (100+ seats) |
| Company + trade license | 35,000 | 65,000 | 120,000 |
| Premises rent + Ejari (first year) | 120,000 | 450,000 | 1,200,000+ |
| Fit-out & kitchen equipment | 180,000 | 550,000 | 1,800,000+ |
| Licenses & approvals | 45,000 | 95,000 | 220,000 |
| Alcohol license (if any) | N/A | 80,000 | 120,000 |
| Staff visas (first 10) | 45,000 | 80,000 | 150,000 |
| First-year total | AED 425,000 | AED 1,320,000 | AED 3,610,000+ |
Average breakeven: 4–9 months (cloud kitchens fastest).
The 2025 Fast-Track Secrets Used by Top Consultants
- Use pre-approved kitchen shells in Al Quoz 1 & 3 (DM already inspected)
- Partner with existing licensed F&B company for first 6 months (legal “umbrella”)
- Apply for alcohol quota in January (first-come, first-served)
- Hire a Dubai Municipality-ex-employee as consultant (90 %+ first-inspection pass rate)
Dubai’s F&B scene added AED 42 billion in revenue in 2025 so far. Follow every step above and your restaurant won’t just survive — it will print money in one of the hungriest cities on earth.