How to Open a Tea and Coffee Business in Dubai: Steps and Equipment (2026)
Short answer: To open a tea and coffee business in Dubai:
- Choose a format: kiosk, café, specialty coffee shop, karak tea outlet or roastery.
- Get a trade licence with café or coffee shop activities from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and lease suitable premises.
- Get Dubai Municipality food safety approval and Civil Defence clearance.
- Make sure your staff have occupational health cards.
- Equip the outlet with an espresso machine, grinders, a water filtration system, refrigeration and a POS.
If you want to skip the setup, you can buy a running café on BusinessFinder.me. Read our guide to buying a lassi shop in the UAE.
Which tea and coffee business format suits you?
| Format | Space | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Kiosk or cart | Small unit in a mall, office tower or metro station | High footfall and quick takeaway sales |
| Karak tea and snacks outlet | Small shop, often with a drive-up service | Residential areas and petrol stations |
| Specialty coffee shop | A café with seating | Quality-focused customers and remote workers |
| Café with a food menu | Larger space with a kitchen | Breakfast, brunch and longer visits |
| Roastery or wholesale | Industrial unit | Supplying cafés, offices and online buyers |
What are the key steps to open a coffee business in Dubai?
- Research the market: visit competitors, note their prices and peak hours, and find a gap, such as specialty coffee, Arabic coffee or affordable karak.
- Write a business plan: your menu, average spend per customer, daily cups needed to break even, and funding.
- Get initial approval and a trade name from DET, with the right activities.
- Find the location and register the lease on Ejari. Check that the unit is approved for food use and has drainage and enough power.
- Design the layout and get Dubai Municipality food safety approval and Civil Defence clearance for the fit-out.
- Hire and train baristas. Food handlers need occupational health cards and food safety training.
- Source your beans and tea from roasters and importers, and test recipes for consistency.
- Launch: set up your Google Business Profile, delivery app listings and a loyalty programme.
What equipment does a coffee shop need?
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Commercial espresso machine | The heart of the menu. Choose the group heads to match expected volume |
| Coffee grinders | Separate grinders for espresso and filter coffee |
| Water filtration system | Protects the machine and improves taste |
| Brewing equipment | Filter brewers, cold brew equipment, a tea brewer or karak pots |
| Refrigeration | Under-counter fridges for milk, display chillers for food |
| Blenders and ice machine | Iced drinks and frappés, which are popular in Dubai’s climate |
| POS and payments | Card and contactless payments, plus delivery app integration |
| Smallwares | Milk jugs, tampers, scales, cups, lids and cleaning supplies |
Buy commercial-grade equipment with local service support. Machine downtime means lost sales.
How much does it cost to open a coffee shop?
The budget depends mostly on location and size. The main costs are:
- rent and deposit
- fit-out
- equipment
- licence and approval fees
- staff visas and salaries
- opening stock
- marketing
- working capital for the first months
A kiosk usually needs the least capital. A full café with a kitchen in a prime area needs much more. Ask landlords about rent-free fit-out periods.
How can a coffee business stand out in Dubai?
- Offer a clear concept: specialty coffee, Emirati-style gahwa, or quick and affordable karak.
- Keep quality consistent with recipes, training and regular machine cleaning.
- Add seasonal drinks and food pairings.
- Use delivery apps and corporate orders for offices nearby.
- Build loyalty with stamp cards or an app.
Should I start a coffee shop or buy a running one?
Buying a running café gives you the licence, approvals, equipment and regular customers at once. These coffee businesses are listed on BusinessFinder.me right now. Our cafe for sale in Dubai guide explains the details.
- Operating Cafe Business for Sale Dubai in Al Mizhar, Dubai (Al Mizhar, Dubai, UAE)
- Turnkey cafeteria for Takeover on monthly rent of 15000 AED (Liwan, Wadi Al Safa 2, Dubai)
- Running cafeteria for sale in Dubai (Oud Metha, Bur Dubai, Dubai, UAE)
- Well running cafeteria for sale in Dubai (Bur Dubai, Dubai, UAE)
- Running coffee business for sale in Dubai (Nad Al Hamar, Dubai, UAE)
- Supermarket with coffee shop for sale in Dubai (Al Muraqqabat, Deira, Dubai, UAE)
See our guide to coffee shops for sale in Dubai, and read how to buy a business in Dubai before you make an offer.
How should I price coffee and tea?
Work out the cost of each drink first: beans or tea, milk, syrup, cup, lid and sleeve. Then add labour, rent and overheads. Specialty coffee shops charge more for quality and experience, while karak outlets compete on low prices and high volume. Check what competitors within walking distance charge, and use combos (coffee plus a pastry) to raise the average spend. If you would rather buy than build, see our guide to a tea shop for sale in Dubai. Read our guide to buying a roastery and foodstuff shop in the UAE.
What mistakes do new coffee shops make?
- Signing an expensive lease without checking real footfall at peak hours
- Buying cheap equipment that breaks down often
- Offering too large a menu, which slows service and increases waste
- Underestimating staff costs, visas and accommodation
Key takeaways
- Choose a format first: kiosk, karak outlet, specialty café, full café or roastery.
- You need a DET licence, Dubai Municipality food safety approval, Civil Defence clearance and health cards for staff.
- Core equipment includes an espresso machine, grinders, water filtration, refrigeration and a POS.
- A clear concept and consistent quality help you stand out.
- Buying a running café is a faster alternative.
Related guides
- Most Popular Food Businesses in Dubai: Types, Rules and Costs
- Essential Steps to Open a Restaurant Business in Dubai
- How to Run a Profitable Restaurant Business in Dubai
- How to Set Up an Ice Cream Parlour in Dubai: Steps, Equipment and Costs
Frequently asked questions
What licence do I need to open a coffee shop in Dubai?
A DET trade licence with café or coffee shop activities, plus Dubai Municipality food safety approval and Civil Defence clearance.
What equipment does a coffee shop need?
A commercial espresso machine, grinders, water filtration, brewing equipment, refrigeration, blenders and an ice machine, a POS and smallwares.
Do coffee shop staff need health cards in Dubai?
Yes. Food handlers need occupational health cards and food safety training.
Is a kiosk cheaper than a café?
Usually yes. A kiosk needs less space, fit-out and staff than a café with seating and a kitchen.
Can I buy a running coffee shop in Dubai?
Yes. Running coffee shops and kiosks are listed on BusinessFinder.me with asking prices in AED.
Last updated: 21 October 2026
