How to Start a Catering Business in Dubai: Licence and Steps (2026)
Short answer: To start a catering business in Dubai:
- Research your market: events, corporate meals, schools or weddings.
- Get a trade licence with catering activities from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
- Set up an approved commercial kitchen that meets Dubai Municipality food safety requirements.
- Register food transport vehicles as required.
- Make sure staff hold occupational health cards and food safety training.
- Build a menu, pricing and delivery logistics.
Buying a running central or cloud kitchen on BusinessFinder.me can be a faster start. Our guide to starting an event planning and management business in Dubai covers this in more detail.
What types of catering business can I start in Dubai?
| Type | Customers | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Event catering | Weddings, parties, conferences | On-site service staff and equipment |
| Corporate catering | Offices, daily meals, meetings | Reliable daily delivery |
| Contract or institutional catering | Schools, hospitals, labour camps, construction sites | Large-volume kitchen, tenders and contracts |
| Meal plans | Health-conscious residents, gyms | Nutrition planning and packaging |
| Specialty catering | Arabic, Indian, vegan, desserts | A distinctive menu and brand |
What licences and approvals does a catering business need?
- Trade licence from DET with catering services activities.
- Dubai Municipality food safety approvals for the kitchen layout and operations. Food establishments must meet the food safety standards of Dubai Municipality.
- Staff: occupational health cards and food safety training for food handlers.
- Food transport: vehicles carrying food need suitable temperature control and municipality approval.
- Civil Defence approval for the premises, especially kitchens with gas.
- Event permits where required by the venue or authority.
Confirm the latest requirements with DET and Dubai Municipality before you sign a lease.
What are the steps to set up a catering business?
- Market research and planning: choose your segment, study competitors and their prices, and write a business plan.
- Choose a business structure: a sole establishment or LLC on the mainland usually suits catering for local clients.
- Find a location: an industrial-area kitchen is usually cheaper than a retail site, since catering doesn’t need walk-in customers.
- Set up the commercial kitchen: cooking lines, cold rooms, prep areas, dishwashing and storage, designed to pass inspection.
- Hire and train staff: chefs, kitchen helpers, drivers and event servers.
- Develop the menu: standard packages plus custom options, with costed recipes.
- Set pricing and payment terms: per person or per tray, with deposits for events and clear terms for corporate accounts.
- Marketing: a website with menus, Instagram, corporate outreach, wedding planners and venue partnerships.
- Logistics: delivery vehicles, hot and cold holding equipment, and an event setup checklist.
How should I price catering services?
Calculate food cost per portion, add labour, packaging, delivery, equipment hire and overheads, then add your margin. Charge a deposit to confirm events, and agree cancellation terms in writing. For corporate contracts, agree volumes and payment terms upfront to protect your cash flow. Related reading: most popular food businesses in Dubai.
Can I buy a running kitchen for a catering business?
Yes. A running central or commercial kitchen comes with equipment and approvals already in place, which can save months. These kitchens were listed on BusinessFinder.me on 19 October 2026 (asking prices; they can change):
- Running central kitchen for sale in Dubai, England Cluster, International City, Dubai: AED 170,000
- Well running central kitchen for sale in Dubai, Al Quoz, Dubai: AED 250,000
- Commercial kitchen for sale in Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai: AED 350,000
Check that the licence covers catering activities, review recent inspection reports and confirm the lease terms. Read our commercial kitchen for sale guide and how to buy a business in Dubai. For restaurant setups, see the steps to open a restaurant in Dubai.
What equipment does a catering kitchen need?
- Commercial cooking ranges, ovens, fryers and grills, matched to your menu
- Walk-in chillers and freezers, with temperature logs
- Separate preparation areas for raw and cooked food
- Commercial dishwashing and hand-wash stations
- Hot boxes, chafing dishes and insulated containers for transport
- Dry storage with shelving off the floor
- Exhaust hoods, fire suppression and gas safety systems
Plan the layout so food moves in one direction, from receiving to storage, preparation, cooking and dispatch. Inspectors look for this, and it reduces contamination risk.
How do caterers win corporate and event clients?
Prepare a tasting menu for prospective clients, build a portfolio of past events with photos, and register as a supplier with event venues and wedding planners. For larger contracts, such as schools or companies, be ready for tenders: they may ask for your licence, food safety records, insurance and references. Read how to set up a bakery business in Dubai for the full steps.
Key takeaways
- Choose a catering segment: events, corporate, contract, meal plans or specialty.
- You need a DET licence with catering activities and Dubai Municipality food safety approvals.
- Staff need health cards and food safety training, and food vehicles need suitable approvals.
- Price from costed recipes, and take deposits for events.
- Buying a running kitchen can speed up your launch.
Related guides
- How to Start a Meal Prep and Delivery Service in Dubai
- How to Start a Vegan and Vegetarian Food Business in Dubai
- Food Truck for Sale in Dubai: Listings, Licences and Checks
- How to Start a Successful Wedding Planning Business in Dubai
Frequently asked questions
What licence do I need for a catering business in Dubai?
A DET trade licence with catering services activities, plus Dubai Municipality food safety approvals for your kitchen.
Do I need a commercial kitchen?
Yes. Catering food must be prepared in an approved commercial kitchen that meets Dubai Municipality standards.
Do catering staff need health cards?
Yes. Food handlers need occupational health cards and food safety training.
Where should a catering kitchen be located?
Many caterers choose industrial areas, where rent is lower, because they don’t need walk-in customers.
Can I buy an existing kitchen to start catering?
Yes. Central and commercial kitchens are listed for sale on BusinessFinder.me with equipment and approvals in place.
Last updated: 19 October 2026