Dubai: The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) has dismissed claims that restaurants and cafes in Dubai are no longer required to obtain a special permit to operate during the day throughout Ramadan.
Just as Ramadan started last Monday, word began to spread that the DED has waived the permit for food and beverage outlets to serve customers or deliver meals during fasting hours.
Some cafes even posted on their premises a government-issued letter that states: “Ramadan dine in and delivery permits are no longer required this year. Restaurants may serve meals inside or deliver food without applying for the permit in DED.”
The information elicited positive reaction in the food and beverage industry, with some people saying the move will benefit local businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
However, when contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the government agency denied that the Ramadan permit for restaurants has been scrapped.
“There is no waiver announced on permits mandatory for restaurants and other outlets for serving food during fasting time in Ramadan this year,” the DED said on Wednesday.
“Restaurants are permitted to serve food during fasting hours subject to certain guidelines, including that food should be served inside the restaurant after fully covering their windows, doors and glass walls.”
The DED also called on all food outlets and the public "to respect the spirit of Ramadan and remain in solidarity" with those who have chosen to abstain from eating from dawn to sunset.
Food consumption, smoking, drinking
Traditionally, public daytime eating, as well as drinking and smoking, during Ramadan is prohibited in the UAE, so most dining venues close business during daylight hours.
Businesses have always been given the prerogative to operate during the day, provided they obtain a special licence first and they serve meals within enclosures.
But the confusion started when some outlets were led to believe that, for the first time, they now have the option to open at daytime without necessarily applying for a special permit or paying a fee, provided they cover their windows, doors and glass walls.
Permit or no permit? How the confusion started
Rajiv Meherish, co-founder of Raju Omlet in Al Quoz, said earlier this week he was informed that the special permits for restaurants to operate during daytime has indeed been waived.
“When we want to do deliveries, we had to go to the DED to seek permission. This time when we went, they said you don’t need permission; you can actually keep the restaurant open. We were surprised,” he said.
“We asked, ‘Can people come and dine in?’ ‘Yes, the only thing is they should not be exposed to the public in the sense that when you’re eating inside, people from the outside should not be able to see them.’”
Meherish said this was the first time he heard about Dubai waiving off permits to operate during Ramadan in his 39 years in the country and in his six years in the restaurant business.
Meherish also received a letter from the DED branch in Al Manara, confirming these details.
A café in Souk Al Bahar and another on Shaikh Zayed Road also posted at the restaurant a note from DED that states:
“Ramadan dine in and delivery permits are no longer required this year. Restaurants may serve meals inside or deliver food without applying for the permit in DED."
When contacted by Gulf News by email on Tuesday, the customer care department confirmed the same information:
“If you have already a restaurant license from Dubai DED, you can open your restaurant during Ramadan day time without needing to apply for permit.”
Official statement
The next day, however, the DED sent this official statement to Gulf News: "There is no waiver announced on permits mandatory for restaurants and other outlets for serving food during fasting time in Ramadan this year."
But waiving permits would have been good for SMEs
Some analysts who reacted to the initial information said the move could benefit the local businesses in Dubai, particularly the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
James George, senior analyst at Euromonitor International, said that by scrapping the special Ramadan permit, Dubai could reduce the cost of doing business and boost private sector credit.
However, whether or not the permit is no longer necessary, some food and beverage outlets in Dubai remain close to adhere to the fasting hours.
At Burjuman, for example, only 14 restaurants are serving meals while 20 are catering only to takeaway requests.
At Mall of the Emirates (MOE), at least 22 outlets are serving meals during the day, although some of them open their doors much later. The mall’s food court also serve food from 12 noon. Some dining venues are serving food only from Iftar time until 2am.
In Dubai Mall, which is most freqeunted by tourists, the picture looks different. A lot of food outlets that used to close during the day for Ramadan are now serving meals behind dark curtains.
Restaurants and cafes open in the malls during Ramadan fasting hours:
Mall of the Emirates
Open for dining:
Food courts (10 am till 12 pm: only takeaway ; 12 pm till 2 am: dine in and takeaway)
Arabica
Starbucks ground & 2nd floor
Texas De Brazil
Din Tai Fung
800 degrees
More Café
California Pizza
Chili’s
Café Bateel
Shake shack
St. Tropez
Après
Paul Café
PF Changs
Dean & Deluca
Karam Beirut (closed between 5 pm and 7 pm )
Le Pain Quotidien
Salmontini
The Butcher Shop & Grill (from Iftar time till 12 am for dine in and takeaway from 11 am till 11 pm)
The Cheesecake Factory
Yo Sushi
Costa Café
Burjuman
Open for dining:
Shakespeare & Co
Nando’s
Main Land China
The Yellow Chill
Pancake House
Filli Café
Dome Café
Starbucks
Jollibee
Tangerine
Costa Coffee
The Noodle House
JYSK Café
Open for takeaway:
Burger King
Bombay Chowpatty
Tapa King
KFC
Spices Garden Café
Pizza Hut
Chicken Tikka
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Coffee
Marrybrown
Shamiana
Papa Johns
Chinese Palace Restaurant
Koryo
Umami Restaurant
Cole Stone
Baskin Robbins
McDonalds
Texas Chicken
California Pizza Kitchen
Charleys Philly Steaks
