How to Get a Food Business License in Dubai | Step-by-Step Guide

Dubai’s food and beverage industry is booming, with businesses ranging from hotels and restaurants to gourmet dining, cloud kitchens, and food trucks, all thriving due to increasing tourism and a diverse population.

Whether you’re a trained chef or simply passionate about food, you can start a food business in Dubai with the right business idea and by following formal procedures.

However, navigating the process isn’t as simple as renting a space and starting to cook, food safety is paramount, and obtaining a proper food business license is a must.
This guide explains everything you need: the types of food businesses you can open, the licensing process, necessary documents, estimated costs, including how to get a food business license in Dubai, and expert tips to avoid delays.

Why Dubai Is a Great Place to Start a Food Business

• Growing Demand: The city’s young, expanding population and steady influx of tourists create a hungry clientele ready to explore unique food experiences.
  
• Business Ecosystem: From world-class logistics and delivery services like Talabat and Deliveroo to robust cold storage and transport infrastructure, Dubai is built for food entrepreneurs.
  
• Supportive Policies: The government encourages small business setups, offering streamlined licensing and accelerators, making it easier to start and grow your food venture.

Types of Food Businesses You Can Start in Dubai

Dubai offers diverse opportunities, and you can choose from several food business models:

• Restaurants & Cafes: Fine dining, fast casual, or themed experiences.
  
• Food Trucks & Kiosks: Lower overhead, suitable for testing new concepts.
  
• Catering Companies: Serving corporate events, weddings, and private functions.
  
• Cloud Kitchens: Delivery-only models without dine-in space. For these, you must know how to get application for business license Dubai and may consider options like an IFZA business license or even a RAKEZ trade license if setting up in these free zones.
  
• Home-Based Food Businesses: Possible with special permits if you meet hygiene standards.
  
• Food Import/Export or Distribution: Manage supply rather than operate a kitchen. In this case, you’ll need to learn how to get import export business license in Dubai and possibly how to obtain a general trading license in Dubai.

Each business type may have slightly different requirements and inspection criteria, so choosing your precise model at the outset is important.

Authorities Involved in Food Business Licensing

Multiple authorities are involved in issuing licenses and ensuring food safety compliance:

• Department of Economic Development (DED): Issues the trade license in Dubai for mainland food businesses.
  
  If you’re considering free zone options, licenses like the IFZA business license, RAKEZ trade license, SPC license cost, or even a RAK DAO business license cost may be relevant, depending on your business model and location.
  
• Dubai Municipality (DM): Handles food safety approvals, kitchen layout inspections, and hygiene certifications.
  
• Dubai Civil Defence: Approves fire safety for kitchens.
  
• Health Authorities: If your business has health or nutrition-based services, additional approval may be required.
  
• Food Safety Management System (FSMS): Registration may be necessary depending on your scale.

Step-by-Step Process to Get a Food Business License in Dubai

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Choose Your Business Activity & Legal Structure

Decide your preferred legal structure (sole proprietor, partnership, LLC) and business activity. Both mainland and free zones such as IFZA, RAKEZ, or SPC are available. Understanding the types of business license in Dubai (commercial, professional, industrial) is crucial.

Reserve a Trade Name & Get Initial Approval

Register your business name with DED or the relevant free zone authority.

Pick Your Location

Your physical space—restaurant, food truck, or cloud kitchen—needs DM approval. Consider where the best opportunities align with your business model and whether a free zone option (e.g., IFZA, RAKEZ, or SPC) is preferable.

Submit a Floor Plan to Dubai Municipality

The DM will review your kitchen layout. Ensure your plans meet all drainage, ventilation, and preparation area standards.

Apply for the Trade License

Gather documents (including trade name reservation, initial approval, and tenancy contract/Ejari) and apply for a trade license in Dubai through DED, or process your IFZA business license, SPC license, or other free zone license.

Complete Final Inspections

DM and Civil Defence will inspect your premises. Passing inspection allows you to proceed.

Get Your Food License Issued

Once approved, your food license is usually issued within 7–15 working days. You can use online portals to check trade license online Dubai or download trade license in Dubai when needed.

Documents Required to Get a Food License in Dubai

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Prepare these documents:

• Passport copies and visa pages of all owners/partners
  
• Trade name reservation and initial approval certificate
  
• Ejari (tenancy contract) for your premises
  
• Kitchen or restaurant floor plan (for municipal approval for trade license in Dubai)
  
• NOC from sponsor (if applicable)
  
• Civil Defence and health clearances
  
• Food safety training certificate (optional, but useful)
  
• In case of import/export activity: documents for general trading license or import export business license
  
• If applying online: learn how to verify trade license in Dubai

Having these in advance streamlines your application and helps renew trade license in Dubai or cancel trade license in Dubai easily in the future.

Cost of Getting a Food Business License in Dubai

Cost Component	Mainland Estimate (AED)	Notes
License Fee (trade license in Dubai)	10,000–15,000	Lower in many free zones; see IFZA business license, RAKEZ trade license, SPC license cost, or RAK DAO business license cost
Dubai Municipality Approvals	2,000–4,000	Varies with approval layers, how much is general trading license in Dubai applies for food trading
Rent (Ejari)	10,000–30,000	Depends on area, size
Food Safety Training	500–1,000	Varies by provider
Extras (cloud/food truck permits, PRO services)	Variable	Cloud kitchens, food trucks, or e-commerce may need additional permits (how to apply e commerce license in Dubai, what is the cost of e commerce license in Dubai)

Note: These costs are indicative; exact amounts depend on your setup, location, and expertise.

To keep your operation running seamlessly, always know how much to renew trade license in Dubai and what is the cost of a trade license in Dubai for budgeting and compliance.

Mainland vs Free Zone for Food Business – What’s Better?

Factor	Mainland	Free Zone
Location	Anywhere in Dubai	Limited to specific zones (e.g., IFZA, RAKEZ, SPC, RAK DAO)
Customer Base	Local residents + tourists	Mostly export, delivery businesses
Setup Cost	Generally higher (what is the cost of a trade license in Dubai)	Often more affordable
Best For	Restaurants, food trucks	Cloud kitchens, food tech firms

If your food business requires direct access to local customers (restaurants/cafes), mainland is usually the top choice. For delivery, B2B, or international operations, free zones often offer cost-saving benefits and streamlined administration.

To help with global business expansion
make sure you choose us.

Get in touch with our team to find out about our approach

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Response within 24 Hours

Tips to Get Approved Faster & Avoid Delays

• Work with an expert business setup consultant to navigate tricky procedures—consider professional help for everything from how to get food business license Dubai to how to get trade license in Dubai.
• Ensure your kitchen layout is pre-approved by Dubai Municipality.
• Complete food safety training early (even if optional).
• Select locations that meet all health and safety standards.
• Translate and attest any non-English documents in advance.
• Regularly monitor license status (using online services to check trade license online Dubai and download trade license in Dubai).

FAQs

Conclusion

Whether you need to know how to get food business license Dubai, how to obtain a general trading license in Dubai, or simply need guidance with renew trade license in Dubai, understanding the full process (costs, documents, authorities) is crucial for success. When in doubt, consult a business setup expert to ensure compliance and streamline your journey to launching a thriving food business in Dubai.