Karak is practically Dubai’s national drink, and the humble tea shop remains one of the most beloved – and busiest – small businesses in the city. Getting one licensed involves more than a trade licence, though: food businesses answer to Dubai Municipality too. Here’s the full 2026 picture, from fees to fit-out.
What Licence Does a Tea Shop Need?
A tea shop operates under the cafeteria licence (Dubai Municipality activity code 552001) issued by DET, plus mandatory approvals from Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department and, for the premises, Civil Defense. Three authorities, one business.
Tea Shop Licence Costs in 2026
- Trade licence (mainland): government fees typically AED 12,000–18,000; karak shop packages start around AED 12,500.
- With all approvals combined: plan AED 24,500–29,500 for the licensing layer.
- Total realistic investment: including DM approval, Civil Defense, Ejari, kitchen fit-out and initial rent, a small mainland cafeteria usually needs AED 120,000–250,000 all-in.
- Staff food safety cards: AED 320–600 per person per year, plus a DM-certified Person in Charge (PIC) at roughly AED 300–500.
- FoodWatch registration: mandatory for every food business – and free.
The Setup Path
- Trade name + initial approval from DET with the cafeteria activity.
- Find the location – DM approves the layout before you build: stainless steel surfaces, commercial ventilation and exhaust, grease traps, separated raw/cooked zones, adequate refrigeration.
- Ejari + fit-out to the approved drawings; Civil Defense clearance for safety systems.
- DM food safety inspection – pass it and the food permit issues.
- Certify staff (occupational health cards + PIC certificate) and register on FoodWatch.
Realistic timeline: around 60 days from name reservation to first cup, driven mostly by fit-out and inspections.
Why Tea Shops Keep Working
Low ticket, high frequency, tiny footprint: a well-placed karak window serves hundreds of cups daily at margins that heavier F&B formats envy. The keys are location (labour-heavy neighbourhoods and late-night streets), speed of service, and delivery-app presence from day one.
How Can SetHub Help?
SetHub handles the full food-business chain – DET licence, Dubai Municipality approvals, Civil Defense, Ejari, and staff cards – so your fit-out and inspections run in parallel instead of in sequence. Schedule a call online and our experts will get back to you within one business hour.