To open a coffee shop in Hong Kong, you’ll need an FEHD restaurant licence—typically a Light Refreshment Restaurant (LR) licence for coffee, tea, and light, assembled or reheated items; if you cook full meals or generate significant heat/grease (e.g., frying, wok cooking), apply for a General Restaurant (GR) licence instead. Start by securing premises with permitted commercial/restaurant use and no unauthorised structures, then design a compliance-first layout: a defined food room, dedicated hand-wash basin(s), a multi-compartment sink for utensils, impervious wall/ceiling finishes, adequate mechanical ventilation with proper exhaust discharge, pest-proofing, and, where hot food is prepared, a correctly sized grease management system and compliant hood/fire protection. Submit the FEHD application with 1:100 layout plans and equipment schedules and opt for the Provisional Licence route to open earlier once essential health, fire, and hygiene standards are installed; FEHD will coordinate referrals with FSD, BD, WSD, and EMSD. Practical shortcuts: keep the menu “light” and use electric equipment to avoid complex gas/fire requirements, pick a site with existing compliant ducting, and size drainage early to prevent redesigns. Typical timelines run 2–6 months for provisional and longer for full issue; fees scale by floor area. Serving alcohol requires a separate Liquor Licence.
