How To Open A Cafe in Dubai

• Posted on 18 December, 2025
• by Gilbert Sakr
• in Business Setup
• 48

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Imagine a business where your customers are not only individuals but families, couples, friend circles and corporate groups.

You get it right – we are talking about How To Open A Cafe in Dubai ? Dubai F&B sector has now grown around 12% with more than 2 million residents and 18+ million tourists annually.

Particularly, individuals preferring coffee consumption have increased by 22% in the last 2 years. If you are reading this blog then you might have picked your interest in learning opening a cafe in Dubai.

How to open a cafe in Dubai: Licensing requirement

There are two core approvals required to plan how to open a cafe in Dubai.

Here is a quick breakdown for you:

• Commercial and trading license
  • Issuance of Dubai Economic Department (Mainland) or a free zone authority. (Cost: AED 12,000 to 25,000)
• Food and safety license
  • This licensing is required by Dubai Municipality for operating food related business. (Cost: AED 1,000 to 3,000)
• Additional approvals
  • Civil defense approval.
  • Restaurant layout approval.
  • Pest control certification.
  • HACCP.
• Estimated licensing cost: AED 20,000 to 45,000 depending on activity and the preferred zone.

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How to open a cafe in Dubai with location specification?

Location is what matters a lot in deciding how to open a cafe in Dubai. You will be amazed to learn that 60% to 70% of the success for a cafe business comes with right location selection.

Top locations:

• JLT: High footfall, 80% expat community.
• Business Bay: Thousands of residential families + office workers.
• Dubai Hills: Popular with wealthy families.
• Mirdif & Jumeirah: Strong community culture.
• Downtown Dubai: Premium customers and tourist heavy.

Rental Costs:

• Smaller units (250-400 sq ft): AED 60,000 to 120,000/ annually.
• Mid-sized cafes (600-1,000 sq ft): AED 150,000 to 300,000/annually.
• Prime locations (malls and marinas): AED 300,000 to 700,000/annually.

Note: One strategic location can be regular family visit, walk-ins and long-term customer loyalty.

How to open a cafe in Dubai with proper designing and theme integration?

Have you ever watched the themes and designing of certain cafes that attract visitors a lot? This highlights the major attractiveness required to be emphasised through the cafe visitor’s viewpoint.

Here are some top trending themes that are a highly convenient inclusion in knowing how to open a cafe in Dubai.

Top trending themes 2025:

• Minimalist Scandinavian.
• Garden-themed botanical cafes.
• Retro-themed vintage spaces.
• Luxury Arabic modern blend.
• Kid-friendly family cafes.

Fit-Out Cost Estimate:

• Basic setup: AED 80,000 to 150,000.
• Mid-level aesthetics: AED 150,000 to 350,000
• Premium Designer Setup: AED 400,000 to 800,000+

 Pro-tips: Family friendly cafes themes are more retentive than any other themes.

How to open a cafe in Dubai with proper menu and staffing?

How to open a cafe in Dubai becomes more informative and effective to practice with a proper staffing and menu acknowledgement.

Have you ever noticed? A great cafe blends creativity, skilled staff and equipment.

Here is a breakdown for you:

Equipment Costs (2025)

• Espresso Machine: AED 12,000 to 45,000.
• Grinder: AED 2,000 to 8,000.
• Refrigeration: AED 5,000 to 15,000.
• Display counters: AED 4,000 to 12,000.
• Kitchen setup: AED 30,000 to 80,000.

Staff Costs

• Barista salaries: AED 3,000 to 5,000/month.
• Cook/chef: AED 4,000 to 7,000.
• Service/helpers crew: AED 2,000 to 3,000.

Menu trend

• Healthy breakfast bowls.
• Specialty brews.
• Vegan and dairy-free options.
• Fresh pastries.
• Affordable Kid combos.

Pro tips: Remember good staffing can increase customer return rate by 35%.

Conclusion

Are you still waiting for a perfect time to start your cafe business in Dubai? Here you learned how to open a cafe in Dubai in terms of licensing, cost, compliance, location and themes trend.

Now it’s your turn to take a stand for your dream. Well, it’s true that doing all these is full of risk and time consuming if done without expertise and experts.

Here comes our next responsibility for you – Connect with Us and get your cafe dream come true in Dubai.

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