Are you dreaming of starting a café in Dubai? Whether you love coffee or see a great business opportunity, you might be wondering how to open a café in Dubai, It’s an exciting and rewarding venture, but before you start brewing, you must go through some important steps.
From getting the right license to choosing the perfect location, this guide will break it all down for you. Ready? Let’s get started!
Step 1: Choose Your Café Type
Not all cafés are the same, and your choice will affect your startup costs, licensing requirements, and business model. Here are a few options:
- Specialty Coffee Shop: High-end coffee, unique brewing techniques, and stylish interiors. Think of places like % Arabica or Seven Fortunes.
- Hookah Café: A mix of coffee, tea, and flavored shisha. You’ll need an additional hookah license to operate legally.
- Grab-and-Go Coffee Kiosk: Small setup, lower costs, and ideal for high-foot-traffic locations.
- Themed Café: Cat cafés, book cafés, or concept cafés that attract niche customers.
Once you decide on your café type, you’ll need to make it official!
Step 2: Get Your Business License
You can’t just open a café and start serving customers. You need legal approvals, and here’s how you get them. If you’re new to the process and unsure how to start a business in Dubai, don’t worry—getting the right licenses and permits is a key part of setting up any business, including a café. Here’s what you need to do:
- Pick a Business Structure: Most café owners go for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) if they have a local partner, or a Sole Establishment if they want full ownership.
- Choose a Trade Name: Pick a unique name and register it with Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED).
- Apply for a Trade License: If you’re opening on the mainland, get your license from the DED. If in a free zone, apply through the relevant free zone authority.
- Get Additional Permits: Since you’re serving food and drinks, you’ll need:
- A Food License from Dubai Municipality.
- A Shisha Permit (if you’re opening a shisha café).
- A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the landlord.
Once your paperwork is in order, it’s time to talk about money.
Step 3: How Much Does It Cost to Open a Café in Dubai?
One of the biggest questions: How much does it cost to open a café in Dubai?
The answer? It depends on location, size, and setup. Here’s an estimate:
| Expense | Estimated Cost (AED) |
| Trade License | 10,000 – 30,000 |
| Rent (Small Café) | 80,000 – 200,000 per year |
| Rent (Large Café) | 300,000+ per year |
| Interior & Equipment | 50,000 – 500,000 |
| Staff Salaries | 4,000 – 10,000 per employee per month |
| Shisha Permit (if needed) | 50,000 – 100,000 |
| Marketing & Branding | 20,000 – 100,000 |
If you’re on a tight budget, expect to spend around AED 200,000 for a small café. If you want a high-end setup, you might need AED 500,000 or more.
Now that you have a budget in mind, let’s find the right location.
Step 4: Pick the Perfect Location
A great café in the wrong place? That’s a bad recipe for business. You need a spot with high foot traffic and easy accessibility. Some great areas in Dubai include:
- Downtown Dubai: Expensive but attracts tourists and business professionals.
- Dubai Marina & JBR: Popular among expats and beachgoers.
- Business Bay: Perfect for office workers who need their daily caffeine fix.
- Malls & Shopping Centers: Great visibility but comes with high rent.
When choosing a location, think about who your customers are. Are they tourists, office workers, or students? That’ll help you pick the right spot.
Step 5: Set Up Your Café
This is where your vision comes to life! Your café should be comfortable, stylish, and practical. Here’s what you need:
- Interior Design: Do you want a cozy, modern, or Instagram-worthy space? Customers love a beautiful atmosphere.
- Coffee Equipment: Espresso machines, grinders, blenders, and brewing tools. Don’t go cheap—quality coffee needs good machines!
- Furniture: Comfortable seating, good lighting, and a welcoming layout.
- Menu & Food Selection: Keep it simple but unique. Specialty coffee, light snacks, and healthy options work best.
If you’re starting a shisha café in Dubai, you’ll need:
- High-quality shisha pipes
- A ventilation system
- A dedicated smoking area
Once everything is set up, you’ll need a solid team.
Step 6: Hire & Train Your Staff
Your café is only as good as your team. Friendly staff and skilled baristas make customers come back. You’ll need:
- Baristas: Experts in making coffee and handling machines.
- Waiters: Friendly and fast service makes a difference.
- Chefs/Kitchen Staff: If you serve food, you need kitchen professionals.
- Cashiers: To handle orders and customer service.
Hiring staff in Dubai means following labor laws:
- Apply for work visas for employees.
- Follow the minimum wage and working hour regulations.
- Train staff on food safety and customer service.
Now, let’s get customers through the door!
Step 7: Market Your Café Like a Pro
Even if you serve the best coffee in Dubai, you won’t succeed without marketing. Here’s how to get noticed:
- Social Media Marketing: Use Instagram and TikTok to showcase your drinks and cozy setup.
- Google Maps & Reviews: Get listed on Google and encourage happy customers to leave reviews.
- Opening Promotions: Offer discounts, buy-one-get-one-free deals, or a free coffee on the first visit.
- Collaborations: Partner with influencers or local businesses to attract customers.
Your Café Dream in Dubai: Take the First Step!
Starting a café in Dubai takes planning, investment, and effort, but it can be a profitable business if done right. In fact, opening a café is one of the best small business ideas in UAE for those passionate about coffee and hospitality.
- Pick the right business model
- Get the proper licenses
- Budget for startup costs
- Choose a prime location
- Set up a beautiful café
- Hire great staff
- Market like a pro
If you follow these steps, you’ll be on your way to running a successful café in Dubai.
Now that you know how to open a café in Dubai, it’s time to take action! From choosing the right location to getting your business license, every step matters. But don’t worry Freezoner is here to make the process smooth and hassle-free.
Our team will handle all the paperwork, legal requirements, and approvals so you can focus on creating the perfect café experience. Want to get started? Contact Freezoner today and turn your café dream into reality!