TL; Dr: Arabic menu and signage are not optional. This is a legal and cultural requirement.Alcohol, pork and head come with their sets of each strict handling rules.The UAE law also controls your concluding time, packaging and even the amount of your music.The owner of a restaurant in the UAE takes more than serving good food. There is no shortage of food businesses in the UAE. But here is not just about serving good food. It is about knowing where you are and follow the rules that come with it.You will work with local laws, cultural expectations and regulatory bodies that do not leave much space for estimates. Some rules are clear. Other people catch new owners with guards.What should be known to the owner of every restaurant here before facing fine or trouble.
Arabic should be included in the menu
Arabic is a main part of trading in UAE. Arabic should be included in all menu, even if your primary language is English. If Arabic is not included in your menu, you are breaking the law. This is applied to printed menu, screen, delivery platforms, somewhere a customer sees food options.Officials have fined the restaurant before ignoring it. And recently, public demand to use more Arabic is increasing, no less. It is not just about compliance. It is about respect.Restaurants that leave Arabic send wrong messages. People notice.
Serving alcohol? follow these steps
- You will need more than the license. You will need a system.
- Alcohol can only be sold or served with the right permit.
- The dishes prepared with alcohol should be stored, cooked and served separately.
- The use of various utensils and prep stations is one essential.
- The menu should clearly include “alcohol” in both Arabic and English.
If there is a buffet, those dishes should be kept separate and clearly labeled. Bottles of wine used in cooking should be clearly marked and placed in a separate storage area. Even contingent cross-faces may be punished.
Ban on pork products?
Pork is allowed but only under strict control:
- Only licensed places (usually hotels) can serve it.
- Pork should be stored and prepared in completely different areas.
- Use various cooking tools, no overlap.
- Clear it on the menu, there is no room for confusion.
Suppose you can only add pork to the menu because your kitchen is clean. The law is very specific here.
Shish offer? You will need a permit
The head is common in the UAE, but heavy regulated.
- A separate license is required.
- It can only be served in nominated outdoor or ventilated areas.
- You cannot serve the head near schools or mosques.
- Daily cleaning and equipment testing are mandatory and can be inspected.
Failing to follow these rules can cause suspension or fine.
Talk of your restaurant hours and behavior
- Most places until midnight, until you are allowed to be open later.
- During Ramadan, food and drinks can be served publicly during the day.
- Some spaces can apply for screening dining areas for non-Muslims.
- Music is not allowed at the time of prayer or near religious areas.
- Staff dress code and conduct should be modest and respectable, especially the front-off-house staff.
It seems like a small issue that a major problem can change rapidly.
No more single-use plastic
UAE has banned the items:
- Plastic cutlery, plates, straws, stir
- Plastic bags and food containers
The restaurant will need to switch to options that are reusable, biodegradable, or approved for single use. It also affects delivery packaging.
Why follow the rules is good business
Breaking the law will cost you, sometimes more than just fine. Your license can be suspended or canceled. But there is another reason that these rules matter: they create faith.When your business shows respect for culture, the community responds. You are not just another restaurant, you are part of the place. It matters here.
questions to ask
- Q1. Do I need an Arabic menu, even if I serve tourists?
Yes. Regardless of the customer base, the Arabic menu is mandatory for all restaurants.
- Q2. Can I cook with alcohol without labeling it?
No, every dish with alcohol should be clearly marked in Arabic and English, menu and buffet.
- Q3. Is Pork allow in all restaurants?
No, only licensed places, most of the hotels, pork can serve, and only under strict handling and labeling rules.
