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Project approvals

Restaurant, Cafe and Shisha Cafe Approvals

Opening a restaurant, cafe, cloud kitchen or shisha cafe in Dubai takes several approvals in the right order. We prepare the drawings and coordinate the landlord, building authority, food safety and Civil Defence approvals so the outlet can open on time.

  • Authority ready drawings prepared by our engineers
  • Submissions, comments and follow up handled for you
  • Through to permit, NOC or completion certificate
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Modern office interior after fit out
Overview

How the approval process works

Food outlets are reviewed for more than the building works. The kitchen and food handling layout, ventilation and exhaust, drainage and grease traps, finishes and washing facilities are checked for food safety. Kitchen hoods, gas systems and seating layouts are checked for fire and life safety.

Shisha cafes have extra requirements because smoking is regulated. A shisha permit is needed in addition to the trade licence, and the premises must meet the location, separation and ventilation conditions set by the authority. The rules depend on the zone, so we confirm them for your unit before design.

Projects we handle

  • Restaurants and fine dining
  • Cafes and coffee shops
  • Cloud and central kitchens
  • Shisha cafes and lounges
  • Food court and mall units
  • Bakeries and takeaway outlets
Process

Approval stages

The exact steps depend on the scope and the plot. This is the usual sequence we manage.

  1. Unit and zone check

    We confirm the authority, the landlord requirements and whether shisha or other permits apply.

  2. Layout and drawings

    Kitchen and seating layout, MEP, exhaust and FLS drawings prepared together.

  3. Landlord approval

    Landlord or mall design approval and NOC.

  4. Authority, food safety and DCD

    Fit out permit, food safety layout approval and Civil Defence approval.

  5. Inspections and opening

    Final inspections and completion, ready for licensing.

Documents

Typical documents

  • Tenancy contract and Ejari (for tenant works)
  • Landlord or building management NOC
  • Trade licence of the tenant (for commercial premises)
  • Proposed architectural, structural and MEP drawings
  • Fire and life safety drawings where systems are added or altered
  • Contractor appointment letter and contractor trade licence
  • Kitchen equipment layout and specifications
Our scope

What we do

  • Jurisdiction and feasibility check before any spend
  • Drawing preparation, or review and conversion of your consultant's drawings
  • Landlord, master developer and authority submissions, made through appropriately registered professionals where required
  • Responses to authority comments and resubmissions
  • Coordination of inspections with your contractor
  • Permit, NOC and completion documents handed over to you

Every authority has its own checklist and it changes from time to time. We send you the exact list for your project after the first review.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which approvals does a new restaurant need?

Typically landlord approval, the building authority fit out permit, food safety approval of the layout and Civil Defence approval, followed by the trade licence activities. The exact list depends on the area and the concept.

Do shisha cafes need a separate permit?

Yes. Shisha service needs its own permit on top of the licence, and the premises must meet the authority's conditions for location and ventilation. We check eligibility for your unit before you commit to the design.

Can you review my kitchen layout before I sign the lease?

Yes. An early review of the unit, exhaust route and drainage avoids committing to a space that cannot be approved for your concept.

Have drawings or an authority comment sheet?Send them on WhatsApp and an engineer will tell you what is needed next.
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Tell us about your project

Share the plot or unit location and a short description of the works. An engineer reviews it and replies with the approval route and a quotation.

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  1. We review your scope and location
  2. We confirm the authority, approvals and documents
  3. You receive a clear quotation

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