Restaurant Fitout & Interior Design in Dubai

A typical Dubai restaurant fitout takes 8 to 16 weeks for mid-range projects once all authority permits are in hand. Larger or more complex venues -- especially fine dining above 2,000 sq ft -- can take 16 to 24 weeks when factoring in design sign-off, Dubai Municipality and Civil Defence approval lead times, and fit-out construction. We provide a detailed programme at BoQ sign-off stage so you can plan your opening date.

Yes. Dubai Municipality (DM) requires a fit-out permit before any construction or renovation works begin on a restaurant in mainland Dubai. The application covers architectural and MEP drawings, finishing materials schedules, food safety layout plans for the kitchen, and your trade licence and Ejari lease. DM review typically takes 2 to 6 weeks depending on documentation completeness. Make My Restaurant prepares and submits the full DM package on your behalf.

DCD approval is a mandatory fire-safety sign-off required for all restaurant fit-outs in Dubai. It covers fire suppression systems (UL300/NFPA 96 compliant for commercial kitchens), fire alarm installation, emergency lighting, exit signage and the use of fire-resistant finishing materials. DCD drawings are submitted alongside or immediately after DM approval. We handle the full DCD drawing package and coordinate the final inspection certificate.

Yes. Approval jurisdiction depends on your location. Restaurants in Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Lakes Towers fall under Trakhees (PCFC), with approval timelines of 10 to 30 working days. Business Bay and Dubai Design District projects go through Dubai Development Authority (DDA), typically 7 to 20 working days. Emaar-developed properties (Dubai Mall, Address hotels, Dubai Creek Harbour) require an Emaar NOC. Nakheel properties (Deira Islands, Ibn Battuta) require a Nakheel NOC. Mall fit-outs also need the relevant mall-management NOC. Make My Restaurant handles the correct authority path for your specific location.

A turnkey restaurant fitout means one contractor is responsible for everything from concept to keys -- interior design, 3D renders, civil and structural works, joinery and bespoke carpentry, flooring, wall and ceiling finishes, MEP (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), commercial kitchen design and installation, furniture and FF&E, signage, authority approval coordination, and final snagging. With Make My Restaurant, a single fixed-price contract covers all of this with no split responsibilities between designer and contractor.

Yes -- and this is the most efficient approach. When interior design and fitout are split between two firms, miscommunication over specifications, materials and timelines is a common cause of delays and cost overruns. Make My Restaurant combines restaurant interior design (concept, mood boards, 3D visualisation, material and FF&E selection) with full fitout construction under one project manager and one contract, eliminating the handover gap between design and build.

Dubai Municipality's Food Safety Department requires dedicated kitchen layout drawings showing equipment placement, separation of raw and cooked food zones, ventilation and exhaust systems (risers must extend at least 2 metres above the nearest building), grease trap specifications and pest control provisions. DCD requires an automatic fire suppression system (UL300/NFPA 96) above cooking equipment. DEWA approval covers electrical load and gas connections. Our team coordinates all three for your commercial kitchen fitout.

Dubai Municipality sets a minimum restaurant area of 750 sq ft and a minimum kitchen area of 300 sq ft (rising to 380 sq ft if a Tandoor oven is included). These minimums apply to mainland Dubai restaurants seeking a food licence. Space planning within these constraints -- maximising covers while meeting DM kitchen requirements -- is one of the first tasks our designers address at the layout stage.

Make My Restaurant operates across all seven emirates. Our Dubai office on Sheikh Zayed Road handles projects in Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, DIFC, JBR, Dubai Marina, City Walk, and free-zone locations. We also serve Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. Each emirate has its own municipal authority and approval requirements, which our team navigates directly. Call us on +971 58 570 7110 or email info@makemyrestaurant.com to discuss your location.