Opening a small cafeteria in Dubai or any part of the UAE is highly profitable business if you follow the legal roles and procedures. Everyone dreams to start a business in Dubai. Small cafeteria business in Dubai is rapidly rising in the emirate. If you visit the streets you will find many cafeterias staying at small distance with each other. People when tired from work, they go to cafeteria to have a sip of tea. If you are planning to open a small cafeteria in Dubai in 2026, than this comphrensive guide is for you.
I am explaining this guide in details with my personal experience, and what i have witnessed in 2 years of staying in Dubai. We will discuss
- whether this business is profitable or not
- how to get license
- where to hire labours
- how to run cafeteria smoothly
- what is cafeteria license cost in Dubai.
- Documents required to open a small cafeteria in Dubai in 2026
This guide covers it all in step-by-step. After reading this guide, you will get a clear though about small cafeteria license in Dubai.
Why Start a Small Cafeteria in Dubai in 2026?
Dubai food and beverage sector is continuously growing and expanding. Every years thousands of expats come here for finding jobs or starting business. Small cafeteria business is highly profitable because of following reasons.
- Due to high population of expats
- Growing communities in the emirate
- Tourism growth each year
- Everyone needs tea after a tiring or hectic work
- High demand of quick small cafeteria like one food serving at one time
Small cafeterias serves karak tea, sandwiches, shawarma, and fruit juices. They are highly profitable in Dubai if they are at right location. Investment is low and demand is always high.
Step-by-Step: How to Start a Cafeteria Business in Dubai
Follow these simple and helpful steps to open your first small cafeteria in Dubai in 2026.
Step 1: Choose Business Structure
Dubai offers 2 sectors one is mainland and one is free zone. From my personal experience i have seen cafeteria in mainland earn more than free zones. Mainland gives you premium access to thousands of expats and communities in that area. To open a small cafeteria in Dubai in mainland, you need to register a mainland company first.
For registering the company you can apply your license at Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Note: Freezone mostly do not offer street facing cafeterias. But you can open a cloud kithcen there.
Step 2: Trade Name Reservation
Reserve your trade name at DET. Choose a short and catchy name matching the area vibe if you specifically want to stay in that area.
Requirements:
- Choose a unique name
- Do not use religious or offensive words
- Name must match your business activity
Fee: Trade Name approval costs is around AED 600 to AED 1,000 approximately.
Step 3: Initial Approval Certificate
This is important step. It is a confirmation from the Dubai Government that they has no issue for starting your cafeteria business in Dubai.
Fee: Initial approval certificate fee cost around AED 1,000 to AED 1,500.
Step 4: Secure Location (Minimum Size Rules)
This is very important while selecting the location according to Dubai Municipality roles.
Requirements by Dubai Municipality
- Total area must be minimum 500 Sq ft
- Kitchen should cover at least 300 sq ft or 40% of total area
- Proper ventilation system should be there
- Active drainage system
- Hand wash area for customers and staff members
Consider these high community based areas:
- Residential areas
- Labour camps
- Business districts
- Schools and offices
Note: Before license issuance make sure you have registered your ejari.
Step 5: Dubai Municipality Food Safety Approval
Submit these documents to Dubai Municipality for food safety approval of your cafeteria.
- Layout plan of your kitchen
- What equipments you will use
- Ventilation plan
- Layout of drainage system of shop and kitchen
Dubai Municipality will send an inspection team and they will check:
- Hygiene standards in kitchen and shop
- Food storage areas
- Waste disposible system
- Ventilation system
Before making the cafeteria operation food safety approval by Dubai Municipality is mandatory.
Step 6: Obtain Cafeteria Trade License
Now is your turn to get the official cafeteria trade license which is approved by Dubai Government.
Cafeteria Trade License Fee In 2026: Estimated cost of Cafeteria trade license in Dubai is around AED 12,900 to AED 18,000 for basic cafeteria license. However overall estimate including government related fees may cost upto AED 15,000 to 35,000.
Step 7: Civil Defence Approval
You must obtain fire safety clearance from civil department before making your cafeteria operational. This clearance includes,
- Emergency exit plan in case of fire
- Fire extinguishers
- Alarm system in kitchen for emergency situations
Inspection team from civil department will come for inspection before final approval.
Step 8: Staff Hiring & Health Cards
This is the final step of your cafeteria business in Dubai. Once you have got everything, next step is to hire staff for your cafeteria. All staff in the cafeteria must have these docuements approved by government.
- Valid employment visa
- Obtain medical fitness certificate for your each staff member
- Food safety training for all
- Health cards including health insurance
Looking to hire staff for your hotel, restaurant or cafeteria in Dubai or UAE? Post your job for free at UAEQUEST Employers Portal without any registration and login. Or share your advertisement through our Whatsapp group or contact form.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Cafeteria in Dubai in 2026?
Below is the realistic cost breakdown of opening a cafeteria in Dubai in 2026.
| Type | Total cost in AED |
| License & Government Fees | AED 15,000 – 35,000 |
| Shop Rent (annual) | AED 40,000 – 150,000 Per year |
| Fit-Out & Renovation | AED 60,000 – 200,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment | AED 50,000 – 150,000 |
| Initial Inventory | AED 10,000 – 30,000 |
| Total estimated budget | AED 20,000 – 100,000 |
All the estimated prices given depend upon the following factors. Price may vary.
- Location
- Shop Size
- Shop Concept like tea shop vs sandwich cafeteria shop
Documents Required for Cafeteria License in Dubai
You need the below required documents for opening a cafeteria business in Dubai as of 2026.
- Passport copy
- Valid visa copy or entry stamp
- Emirates ID if you are resident in Dubai
- Trade name certificate
- Initial approval certificate
- Ejari contract copy
- Approved layout plan by Dubai Municipality
- Civil Defence approval
- Food safety approval certificate
Tea Shop License Cost in Dubai
If you are planing to oepn a small tea shop like called as karak chai in Dubai, keep in mind these figures.
- Initial license cost is similar like AED 12,900 to 18,000
- But total setup cost maybe lower because you are focusing on one item. So it can vary from AED 20,000 to AED 70,000 or 80,000
Like the same it depends upon location, rent and other things.
Cafeteria License Cost in Sharjah & Ajman (Comparison)
| Sharjah | Ajman |
| Licence cost is cheaper than Dubai | Cheapest rental cost |
| Rent is lower | Competition very low |
| Low competition than Dubai | Good for if you are testing your cafeteria concept first |
Tip: However, Dubai always offer higher customers and high earning potential than Sharjah and Ajman.
Legal Compliance Checklist (2026)
Before opening your cafeteria make sure this legal checklist is complete to avoid any fines or disturbance in operations.
- Trade license issued
- Dubai Municipality approval arrived
- Civil Defence approval ready
- Ejari registered properly
- Staff health card issued
- Proper waste disposible contract
Note: If you fail in any of above mentioned checklist items, it can cause heavy fines, closure of cafeteria or license cancellation.
Is Small Cafeteria Business Profitable in Dubai In 2026?
The answer to this question is always YES, but if operated in proper ways. Like,
- Controlled rental amount not too much high
- Your menu focues on high margin items
- Location has strong foot traffic
- If you maintain hygiene standards properly
Popular Profitable items to include in Menu:
- Karak tea most selling item
- Fresh juices
- Shawarma
- Fresh milk tea and others like sulemani, Kashmiri, Almond tea
- Club Sandwiches
- Quick combos for breakfast
Helpful Tip: Offer a good customer service and keep mix of items to increase sales and grow business. Do not compromise on quality. Focus on quality than quantity.
Final Thoughts
If you do legal planing properly, than opening a small cafeteria in Dubai in 2026 is possible and easy. Always focus on,
- Correct approvals
- Location
- Mandatory certificates
- Menu items
- health cards of employees
- Safety training and certificates
If you structured all things properly, this business can generate stable monthly income in the UAE market.
For more detailed legal business guides, visit UAEQuest.com and join our UAE business WhatsApp group for updates. Looking for hotel jobs in Dubai? Apply today at UAEQUEST job portal and start your career journey for free.
