Opening a cafe in Dubai: a POS, VAT and payments checklist

Dubai is one of the most exciting — and competitive — places in the world to open a cafe. This checklist covers the point-of-sale and money side of opening. It is not legal or tax advice; confirm the details with your accountant and the relevant authorities.

1. Tax: VAT at 5%, shown inclusive

• The UAE standard VAT rate is 5%, administered by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
• Prices shown to consumers are expected to include VAT. Set your POS to display VAT-inclusive prices and show the VAT amount on receipts.
• If your turnover crosses the mandatory registration threshold, register for VAT and print your TRN (tax registration number) on tax invoices. Check current thresholds on the FTA website.

In GetCafePOS, create a 5% tax group, set prices to be entered VAT-inclusive, and add your TRN to the receipt layout.

2. Receipts: bilingual, right-to-left done right

Customers in Dubai read Arabic, English and many other languages. Set receipts to show Arabic and English product names and footer text, with Arabic laid out right-to-left. Staff can run the register in the language they read best.

3. Payments: plan for phones first

• A card terminal from your bank or processor that accepts tap-to-pay and mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• Cash with a drawer and a counted float.
• Custom payment types for delivery-app settlements so your end-of-day report matches the bank.

4. Menu: the drinks Dubai orders

Spanish lattes, karak, V60s, saffron and pistachio drinks sit next to flat whites. Build them with modifier sets — sweetness, milk, size, iced/hot — so they ring and print correctly, and attach the same sets to your online store.

5. Channels: WhatsApp and Instagram

In the UAE, many customers message before they visit. Put your order-ahead link in your Instagram bio and Google Business Profile, and use WhatsApp for catering and office orders.

6. Trading calendar

• The UAE federal working week runs Monday to Friday, with weekends on Saturday and Sunday; cafes often peak evenings and weekends.
• During Ramadan, daytime trade drops and evenings surge; change store and online hours for the month.

7. Staff

Your team may include Arabic, English, Urdu, Hindi, Tagalog and Malayalam speakers. Give each staff member a role and a login in their language; restrict refunds and discounts to shift leads.

The checklist

• 5% tax group, VAT-inclusive pricing, TRN on receipts
• Arabic + English receipt layout
• Card terminal with tap-to-pay and wallets
• Cash drawer and float
• Delivery-app payment types
• Menu with modifier sets, online store on
• Order-ahead link on Instagram, Google and a counter QR code
• Ramadan hours plan
• Staff roles and languages

See GetCafePOS in the UAE and the Dubai guide for local prices (VAT included) and support on WhatsApp.