Dubai Waly All about Dubai
Last updated: September 2026
If you want to know how to check a restaurant’s food safety rating in Dubai before you eat there, the short version is: look for the grade card displayed at the entrance, or scan the outlet’s QR code with your phone. Dubai Municipality has actually been rating food establishments for hygiene since 2016, but the system has changed and expanded since then, and most articles online only describe one piece of it. This guide pulls the whole picture together — the grading scale, how to check it digitally, and what each rating actually means for you as a diner.
Quick answer: Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department inspects and grades every licensed food establishment in the emirate, from A (excellent) down through lower grades for outlets with more hygiene violations. You can check a restaurant’s food safety rating in Dubai by looking for the grade card at the entrance, scanning the venue’s QR code with your phone camera, or checking Dubai Municipality’s app.
How the Dubai Restaurant Food Safety Rating System Works
Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department inspects the emirate’s licensed food establishments — thousands of restaurants, cafeterias, catering companies, and food manufacturers — and assigns each one a grade based on hygiene standards and the number and severity of violations found. The system was rolled out to give diners visible, comparable information before they decide where to eat, rather than trusting appearances alone.
The grading has evolved since it first launched, so it’s worth understanding the pieces you might encounter:
The Letter Grade System (A–E)
| Grade | What It Means |
|---|---|
| A | Excellent hygiene and food safety standards; minimal to no violations |
| B | Good standards, with some minor violations noted |
| C | Acceptable, but with more violations that need improvement |
| D / E | Below acceptable standards; the outlet is expected to address violations quickly or face further action |
High-risk establishments — those handling large volumes of food, like hotels and big restaurants — are inspected under stricter scrutiny given the potential impact of any lapse. Outlets that maintain a consistent top grade over time can be recognized with additional distinctions, such as a “Gold Card” status for sustained excellence.
QR Codes: “Food Watch”
Dubai Municipality also issues QR codes to food establishments through its digital “Food Watch” platform. When you scan one with your phone camera, it opens a webpage showing that specific outlet’s current hygiene and food safety standing — useful because it reflects more current inspection data than a printed card that might be outdated or difficult to find. Outlets are required to display their QR code on the premises once issued.
“Dubai Star”: The Newer, Broader Rating
Separately, Dubai Municipality introduced “Dubai Star,” a voluntary rating that goes beyond basic hygiene to evaluate food quality, sustainability, and social responsibility. Only restaurants that already hold a strong food safety grade can apply, and inspectors award between one and three stars based on a broader 100-point scoring system. Unlike the basic hygiene grade, Dubai Star isn’t mandatory — it’s an additional distinction restaurants can pursue to stand out.
How to Check a Restaurant’s Food Safety Rating in Dubai: Step-by-Step
- Look for the physical card — Licensed food outlets are required to display their current grade card somewhere visible, usually near the entrance or till.
- Scan the QR code — If the outlet has one displayed, scanning it with your phone’s camera opens its current food safety record directly.
- Check the Dubai Municipality app — The municipality’s unified smart app includes a feature to look up food safety ratings for restaurants across the emirate before you even leave home.
- Ask staff directly — If you can’t find a card or code, outlets are expected to be able to confirm their current grade on request.
Why This Actually Matters for Diners
A visible rating system does two things for you as a customer. First, it gives you real information to make an informed choice, rather than judging a kitchen you can’t see by its decor or reviews alone. Second, the transparency itself pushes restaurants to compete on hygiene standards, since a poor public grade can affect walk-in business.
That said, a good grade isn’t an absolute guarantee — inspections happen periodically, not continuously, and conditions can change between visits. If you do get sick after eating somewhere with a seemingly good rating, it’s still worth reporting it; our guide on how to report food poisoning in Dubai walks through exactly how that process works and what evidence helps your case.
The Scale of Dubai’s Food Inspection System
To put the system in context: Dubai has tens of thousands of licensed food establishments — everything from major hotel restaurants to small cafeterias and delivery-only kitchens. Municipality inspection teams conduct large volumes of visits every year across this landscape, and enforcement is real — outlets found with serious violations can be temporarily closed until they meet requirements again. This is a genuinely active regulatory system, not just a symbolic sticker on the door.
Tips for Choosing Safer Places to Eat
- Prioritize checking the rating for buffet-style and self-service outlets, where food safety risk tends to be higher
- Be a bit more cautious with pop-up stalls and temporary event catering, which may not carry the same visible ratings as permanent outlets
- For delivery orders, check the platform listing or the restaurant’s own page — many now display their food safety grade alongside their menu
- A “Gold Card” or Dubai Star distinction is a good sign of sustained standards, not just a one-time inspection result
FAQs – Restaurant Food Safety Ratings in Dubai
Are restaurants required to display their food safety rating in Dubai?
Yes, licensed food establishments are expected to display their current grade or QR code visibly on the premises.
What is a good food safety grade in Dubai?
An A grade reflects excellent hygiene standards. A restaurant that consistently maintains this level over time may also be recognized with a Gold Card.
What is “Dubai Star” and how is it different from the regular grade?
Dubai Star is a separate, voluntary rating that looks beyond basic hygiene to include food quality and sustainability. Only restaurants with a strong existing food safety grade can apply for it.
Can I check a restaurant’s food safety rating before I go?
Yes — Dubai Municipality’s smart app allows you to look up food establishment ratings in advance, so you don’t have to wait until you arrive.
Does a good rating guarantee I won’t get food poisoning?
No system can guarantee that, since inspections happen periodically rather than continuously. A good grade significantly lowers the risk, but if you do get sick, it’s still worth reporting the incident.
Sources & Further Reading
This article is for general information only. Rating systems, apps, and specific criteria can be updated by Dubai Municipality over time — check the official Food Safety Department channels for the most current details.
Conclusion
Checking a restaurant’s food safety rating in Dubai takes seconds once you know where to look — the entrance card, a quick QR code scan, or the municipality’s own app. Between the baseline A–E grading, Gold Card recognition, and the newer Dubai Star distinction, the emirate actually runs one of the more transparent food safety systems in the region — most diners just don’t know the full picture. If you want to go a step further and understand your rights if something does go wrong, our guide to reporting food poisoning in Dubai covers exactly what to do next.
