To start a coffee shop in Dubai, obtain a mainland “Coffee Shop/Cafeteria” license from the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) and lock a compliant site before fit‑out. Choose mainland if you want to trade citywide; free zones restrict you to their precincts. Secure trade name, initial approval, Ejari lease, and an LLC with 100% foreign ownership, then add activity codes for dine‑in and takeaway (roasting requires a separate “Coffee Roastery” license). Submit food‑layout drawings via Dubai Municipality Food Safety e-Services for approval; design to HACCP, with grease trap sizing, fresh/grey water separation, 3‑phase 60–120 kW load, hooded extraction with fire suppression, and cold-chain storage. Obtain Dubai Civil Defense approval, SIRA‑spec CCTV, signage and outdoor‑seating permits, and pest‑control and grease‑trap AMCs. Appoint a trained Person in Charge and certify all handlers; keep supplier traceability and temperature logs. Budget: license/approvals AED 15k–30k, visas AED 4k–7k each, fit‑out AED 2,500–4,500/m², prime rent varies by mall/high street. Register for VAT at AED 375k turnover, set up WPS payroll, and open a corporate bank account after license and lease. Typical timeline: 6–12 weeks depending on landlord NOCs and mall reviews; plan barista trials, soft opening, and influencer/tester seeding one week pre‑launch for impact.
