Opening a café in Jeddah: the setup checklist (licences, VAT, menu)

Opening a café in Jeddah is exciting, and the to-do list can feel endless. Licences, staff papers, tax, equipment, the menu, the first guests. Most new owners don't miss a big step. They miss the order of the steps, and lose weeks waiting for one paper that should have come first.

This checklist puts the steps in a sensible order. Each official step links to the government page where you apply, so you can check the current requirements yourself. Rules and fees change, so always confirm on those pages before you pay or sign.

Before you sign a lease

• Check the municipal requirements for your activity. Balady has a free service to look up the municipal requirements for a commercial activity. Search for the activity closest to yours (a café, a restaurant, a coffee cart) and read what it needs before you choose a shop.
• Choose a shop that can be licensed. The commercial licence asks for a lease, ownership deed or investment contract, a copy of the building permit, and an outside photo showing the shop sign (Balady: issuing a commercial license). Ask the landlord for the building permit early.
• Plan your budget for the fit-out. Kitchen equipment, seating, safety equipment and signage usually cost more than the first month's rent. Get two or three quotes for each.

Register the business

The Ministry of Commerce's Start your project page lists the steps on the Saudi Business Center platform (business.sa):

1. Issue the commercial registration for your establishment.
2. Open a file with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
3. Register with ZATCA (the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority).
4. Register with GOSI (the General Organization for Social Insurance).
5. Register your national address with Saudi Post.
6. Register with the Chamber of Commerce for your city.

The same page lists the conditions for applicants, such as being at least 18 and not a government employee, so read them first.

Get the commercial licence

With the registration ready, apply for the commercial licence on Balady. According to Balady's service page, you enter the establishment record, choose the activity and area, select the location and fill in the shop details. Some activities get an instant licence after paying the fees; others go to the municipality for review.

The same page also mentions:

• A safety permit from Civil Defense, and a safety equipment invoice or safety report for activities with instant approval.
• A sanitation contract, depending on the contract type and activity.

Keep every document as a clear PDF in one folder. You'll need them again for renewals and changes.

Health certificates for your team

Everyone who works with food needs a health certificate. Balady's health certificate service covers workers in food establishments such as restaurants. The steps include a medical examination through the Ministry of Health and, where it applies, a health education programme. The owner can request certificates for the team.

Start this as soon as you hire. Processing takes several days, and staff without a valid certificate shouldn't start work in the kitchen or behind the counter.

VAT and invoices

• Know the VAT thresholds. ZATCA's guide for small and medium businesses explains that VAT registration is required when annual revenue exceeds SAR 375,000, and optional between SAR 187,500 and SAR 375,000. The VAT rate is 15%.
• Use e-invoicing if you're registered. ZATCA's e-invoicing (Fatoora) applies to resident VAT taxpayers. Choose a cashier system that supports it before opening day.
• Show whether prices include VAT. Our guide to digital menus in Saudi Arabia explains how to show prices clearly.

Talk to an accountant about your situation. This checklist is a starting point, not tax advice.

Prepare the menu

Your menu is where licences meet guests. Get these right before the first order:

• Calories on the menu. SFDA requires calorie information on menus, plus notes such as caffeine and salt. Read our guide to SFDA calorie labelling for the details.
• Arabic and English. Jeddah has many visitors and residents from other countries. A menu in both languages, or more, means fewer mistakes at the counter.
• Clear options. Milk types, sizes, sugar, extra shots. Write every option down so the barista makes exactly what the guest asked for.
• Allergens. Mark common allergens such as milk, nuts and gluten.
• QR codes on the tables. See how to print and place menu QR codes.

The week before opening

• Commercial registration, commercial licence and Civil Defense permit ready and saved
• Health certificates issued for every team member
• ZATCA registration done, and e-invoicing ready if you're VAT-registered
• Menu checked: prices, VAT note, calories, allergens, both languages
• QR codes printed, placed and tested on several phones
• Google Business Profile created with hours, photos and location
• Soft opening for friends and family to test the kitchen and the orders
• A plan for your first Google reviews (read how to get more Google reviews)

How our platform helps

Restu Menu takes care of the menu part of this list. Upload a photo or PDF of your menu and AI fills it in Arabic and English. Add calories and allergen tags to each item, and print a QR code for every table.

• Table ordering and pickup, with orders arriving live on your screen.
• A kitchen display for a tablet or TV, and a pause ordering switch for busy moments.
• A Google review button for every guest after their order.
• Offers and banners for your opening week.

Try everything free for 30 days, no card needed. See the QR menu page or our pricing, and browse our free tools.

Common questions

Where do I apply for a café licence in Jeddah? On the national Balady platform, after you have a commercial registration from the Saudi Business Center.

Do I need VAT registration from day one? It depends on your revenue. ZATCA's guide sets the required threshold at more than SAR 375,000 a year. Ask an accountant.

Do my baristas need health certificates? Yes. Balady's health certificate covers workers in food establishments.

Do I have to show calories on my menu? Yes. SFDA requires calorie information on restaurant and café menus.

Create your free menu

A bilingual QR menu for your restaurant in minutes. No card needed.

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