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How to Start a Fish and Meat Grilling Business in Dubai with Meydan Free Zone
Grilling is one of the oldest and most culturally embedded cooking methods in the Arab world. Mashawi, Arabic for grilled meats, encompasses kebab, shish tawook, kofta, lamb chops, and grilled chicken marinated in Middle Eastern spices, charcoal-grilled to achieve the smoky, charred crust that defines the format. In the UAE, fish grilling is equally significant: hamour, sea bass, and snapper grilled with lemon and thyme or Emirati spice blends are staples in fish restaurants from Karama to Yas Island. The global grills and BBQ restaurant food service segment grew 6.8% in 2024, returning to pre-pandemic expansion rates, according to Technomic¹. The UAE food service market reached USD 16.58 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 50.21 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 12.20%, according to IMARC Group.
Al Mashawi Al Halabya (Aleppo Grills) traces its heritage to a grilling family with 400 years of history in Aleppo, Syria, one of the historic capitals of Middle Eastern grilling culture, and now operates across Dubai and Sharjah. The restaurant uses real charcoal grilling with lamb, beef, and chicken sourced fresh daily, marinated in Middle Eastern spices, garlic, lemon, and olive oil. Texas de Brazil, Hurricane’s Grill, and Kabab Erbil round out Dubai’s grill restaurant landscape. For fish grilling, Karama Fish Grill, Fish Hut in Oud Metha, and numerous UAE fish restaurants serve hamour, sea bream, and shrimp grilled to order. Code 5629.95 carries a Dubai Municipality post-licence food safety approval requirement.
Who is this for?
| Audience Segment | Profile |
|---|---|
| Arabic mashawi and mixed grill operators | Operators of Arabic grill restaurants and mashawi specialists providing charcoal-grilled lamb, beef, and chicken including kebab, kofta, shish tawook, and mixed grill platters with traditional Middle Eastern marinades, served with Arabic breads and mezze accompaniments. |
| Fish grill and seafood grill operators | Operators of fish grill restaurants and seafood grill counters preparing fresh-to-order grilled fish and seafood including hamour, sea bass, sea bream, snapper, shrimp, and squid, typically served with Emirati or Arabic spice marinades, rice, and bread. |
| Specialty and premium meat grill operators | Operators of specialty grill and BBQ restaurants serving premium cuts of beef, lamb, and chicken using international and fusion grill techniques including Brazilian churrasco, steakhouse grilling, and premium mixed grill menus targeting corporate and leisure dining. |
5629.95 - Fish and Meat Grilling
| Category | Scope |
|---|---|
| Arabic mashawi and charcoal grill | Arabic mashawi and charcoal meat grill operations Operation of an Arabic mashawi grill or charcoal meat grill restaurant providing grilled lamb, beef, and chicken including kebab, kofta, shish tawook, and mixed grill combinations marinated with Middle Eastern spices. |
| Fish grill and seafood grill | Fish grill and fresh seafood grill restaurant operations Operation of a fish grill restaurant or seafood grill counter providing fresh-to-order grilled fish and seafood, including hamour, sea bass, sea bream, snapper, shrimp, and squid, typically marinated with lemon, thyme, garlic, and Emirati spice blends. |
| Premium and international grill formats | Steakhouse and international meat grill operations Operation of a premium grill or steakhouse providing high-quality beef, lamb, and poultry dishes using international grill techniques including charcoal, wood-fire, or gas grill methods, with premium ingredient sourcing and a full-service dining model. |
Code 5629.95 covers the preparation and service of grilled fish and grilled meat as the primary food service operation. It does not cover restaurants and cafes with broad menus where grilling is one of many preparation methods (5610.00); floating restaurant food service on vessels (5610.97); or the manufacture and retail sale of raw or packaged meat and fish products (ISIC divisions 10 and 47). It expressly excludes the manufacture and retail sale of perishable food items. All operators must obtain DM food safety approval through FoodWatch before commencing service.
In short: if you operate a fish grill or meat grill operation as your primary food service format, DM post-approval applies and you are in. If you serve grilled items as part of a broad restaurant menu or manufacture packaged meat products for retail, you are not under this code.
Third-Party Approval
This activity requires Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department approval after the Meydan Free Zone licence is issued but before operations commence; operators must register on the DM FoodWatch platform, submit a food safety plan, pass inspection, and obtain a food safety certificate before serving customers.
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance
This activity is not classified as a Designated Non-Financial Business or Profession (DNFBP) under UAE anti-money laundering legislation, and operators are not subject to AML registration or reporting obligations specific to this licence category.
References
- ¹ FES Magazine / Technomic, Growing Room for Foodservice at Sports Venues, 6.8% Growth 2024 - https://fesmag.com/topics/trends/21567-growing-room-for-foodservice-at-sports-venues
- ² IMARC Group, UAE Food Service Market Size, Share and Forecast 2033 - https://www.imarcgroup.com/uae-food-service-market
- ³ Al Mashawi Al Halabya, Best Grills Restaurant in the UAE for BBQ Lovers - https://aleppo-grills.com/best-grills-restaurant-in-the-uae-for-bbq-lovers/
- ⁴ Dubai Tour Pro, Best Grill Restaurants Dubai 2023 - https://dubaitourpro.com/best-grill-restaurants-dubai-2023/
- ⁵ FishApp UAE, The Best Fish for Grilling in UAE - https://fishapp.ae/the-best-fish-for-grilling-in-uae/
