Retail and restaurants
Discover vibrant retail and dining opportunities in a sustainable, innovation-driven environment. From small kiosks to expansive shopfronts, Expo City Dubai offers tailored solutions to meet your business needs
Prime locations
Scalable options
Validity
Licences valid for 1-3 years
Category
Retail and restaurant business licence
Government support
Integrated access to government services and incentives
Space options
Shell & core, semi-fitted, and fully branded spaces 550sqft - 30,000 sqft
Registration and licensing fees
Starting from AED 15,000 depending on business activity, licence duration and space size.
Application Fee
AED 500 (non-refundable).
How to set up your business at Expo City Dubai
641 KB • PDF
20241205 Business Set-up Application Form New Entity Company
379 KB • PDF
20241205 Business Set-up Application Form-Branch
308 KB • PDF
Expo City Dubai restricted business activities - food and beverage shisha and alcohol
962 KB • PDF
Expo City Dubai is more than just a commercial hub—it’s a Central Social District designed for sustainability and well-being. It offers an integrated community where work, living, and leisure are seamlessly connected, with daily essentials accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. Located next to Al Maktoum International Airport, the future world’s largest airport, it features LEED-certified, Grade A office spaces in a premium campus setting.
Expo City Dubai is a purpose-driven community that promotes connections and encourages growth through an innovation-focused business ecosystem and a testbed environment with knowledge-sharing platforms to scale innovative solutions. The city brings together companies of all sizes and promotes cross-sector collaboration in sustainability, innovation, technology, education, creative and entertainment.
Expo City Dubai’s community supports businesses of all sizes and brings together multinational companies, SMEs, startups, entrepreneurs, government, academia, research and development institutions, and more.
Expo City Dubai’s community is designed to provide a premium campus feel. It encourages wellness, balance and social interaction. Next to office buildings, there are green spaces, water fountains, shaded courtyards, restaurants, retail outlets and cultural attractions.
Expo City Dubai offers a variety of office, retail and F&B spaces. The offices range from smaller working areas to larger offices, including entire floors, buildings, and multi-building campuses. For retail, there is an array of spaces designed to accommodate big brands, pop-up and creative concepts, as well as innovative retailers. And for F&B, there is a wide range of units ideal for new-to-market concepts, international brands new to the UAE, and local brands with a vision for expansion.
The Expo City Dubai Authority offers a wide range of over 180 services: from company registration, licensing, and company cards to short-term operation permits (from one day to twelve months), freelance permits, and special approvals. Additionally, the Authority provides visa and documentation services, including employment and business visit visas, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and official company and individual letters. Whether you're launching, expanding, or streamlining operations, Expo City Dubai Free Zone is designed to support your success.
Yes. The Client Relations Centre provides clients with a seamless and fully integrated access to leasing, licensing and government services. You can contact the Client Relations Centre by calling +971 4 555 2272 or emailing CRC@expocitydubai.ae
Very easy. Expo City Dubai is well connected to the rest of the city, with its own on-site metro station (Expo 2020), and access via 4 major highways.