Restaurant Fit-Out Cost in Dubai: A Realistic Budget
The kitchen decides the budget, not the dining room. Here's a realistic cost framework for restaurant fit-out in Dubai.
11 April 2026 · 5 min read · K4 Fit-Out Studio
Restaurant fit-out cost in Dubai is dominated by kitchen MEP and extraction, not the visible dining room finishes, a modest dining room budget can still produce an expensive project if the kitchen scope is heavy.
Indicative cost by area
Kitchen and back-of-house, including extraction, grease trap and heavy MEP: AED 700-1,400/sqft. Front-of-house dining, including joinery, lighting and finishes: AED 400-900/sqft. Bar areas with specialist joinery and refrigeration often exceed both.
- Kitchen extraction and grease trap system, the single largest MEP cost
- Civil Defence approval for kitchen fire suppression, required before opening
- Grease trap and drainage capacity must match projected kitchen output
- Front-of-house finish level should match the brand position, not exceed the kitchen's actual capability
The approvals chain
Restaurant fit-out needs food safety approval alongside standard Civil Defence and Dubai Municipality sign-off, see our Civil Defence approval guide for the fire suppression requirements specific to commercial kitchens.
Where budgets typically go wrong
Operators frequently underbudget kitchen MEP relative to dining room design, then face a choice between cutting kitchen capability or the visible finish, planning kitchen scope first, with a specialist, avoids this entirely.
Frequently asked
What's the biggest restaurant fit-out cost driver?
Kitchen extraction, grease trap and heavy MEP, typically the largest single cost category, often underestimated against dining room finishes.
Does a restaurant fit-out need special fire approval?
Yes, commercial kitchens require specific fire suppression system approval from Dubai Civil Defence before opening.
How much should I budget for a mid-size restaurant fit-out?
Indicative 2026 ranges run AED 400-1,400+/sqft blended across kitchen and dining areas, depending on kitchen complexity and finish level.