I was a resident of Dubai for one year thanks to their digital nomad visa, and after spending months exploring the city I was surprised at how much of a melting pot Dubai is. Which is great when it comes to food!
Arabic food? Of course. Indian food? As much as you want! Lebanese? I’ve had some of the best Lebanese food here! Tacos, pizza, burgers… you can find virtually any food you’re craving.
Whether you’re looking forward to sampling all the traditional Emirati food, or want to try new cuisines such as Yemeni, Ethiopian, or Iraqi, Dubai is a great place to do so.
It would take a long, long time to make your way through all the tasty dishes Dubai is known for, though! Especially if you want to try the main Middle Eastern specialties and new cuisines.
The best way of sampling your way through the city with limited time is by joining a food tour.
I’ve curated a list of the best Dubai food tours that offer experiences to remember. They’re not just about eating, but also about discovering the culture and soul of the country through its food.
You’ll be amazed by the flavors and the stories behind each dish, which you’ll learn from your foodie guide. So get ready to join the food frenzy in Dubai with these tours. They will introduce you to every option, from yummy street snacks to fancy restaurant delights.
These are definitely some of the best Dubai tours – you won’t want to miss out!
Why should you trust me? I was a resident of Dubai for a year, and I’ve eaten my way through the city! Not only do I know all about the traditional food from the region, but I have a decade of experience in the travel industry, curating tour guides and experiences.
I’m a bit of an expert when it comes to identifying high-quality, worthwhile activities, so you can trust my selections to be up to standard.
I generally use Viator and Get Your Guide to book tours around the world. I especially recommend them for their great cancellation policy. If your plans change, you can cancel most activities up to 24 hours in advance and get a full refund.
Limited time? These are the top tours:
| THE BEST TOUR | Middle Eastern Food & Culture Walk in Old Dubai |
| CULTURAL BREAKFAST | Cultural Lunch at The Sheikh Mohammed Center |
| DINNER IN THE SKY | Dinner in the Sky Experience |
OUR PICK: A Cultural and Food Tour in Dubai
This Middle Eastern Food & Culture Walk in Old Dubai is the perfect tour to discover the flavors of Emirati cuisine. You’ll join a certified local guide (and passionate foodie, of course!) for an evening stroll through the Murraggabat district, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods.
Learn about the culture and traditional gastronomy of the region, and visit three carefully chosen restaurants to sample delicious Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, and Iraqi cuisine.
You’ll pop into a falafel spot to eat the beloved dish with creamy hummus, relish a smoky kebab and wood-fired grilled fish, and visit a baklava shop to get a taste of the sticky, sweet dessert. Make sure to go on an empty stomach, because you’ll be eating a lot!
Plus, you’ll be equipped with a personal audio receiver and earphones so you don’t miss a word, even if you feel like wandering a bit 😉
Why is this the top tour? It takes you off the beaten path into a real neighborhood, where you’ll be introduced to the plethora of flavors and international dishes that make up Emirati cuisine, and sample specialties from across the Middle East. Plus, you’ll be guided by a local, who will take you to eateries you would never find on your own.
Read what the reviews say:
“What a great experience!!! I highly recommend this tour. Farida is an awesome tour guide. She was so knowledgeable about the food and about the city. All of the food choices were delicious and we got to spend the evening in a part of Dubai that we would not have otherwise seen. You do not want to miss this when in Dubai!”
Maha – Read more reviews
This tour includes: A guide, headsets, all food tastings, and water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Other Great Dubai Street Food Tours
▶️ This Dubai: Old Town, Creek, Museums, Souks, & Street Food Tour is a half-day foodie excursion led by a local. You’ll explore the historical side of the city as you wander around the Old Town and Dubai Creek, sampling traditional bites.
While learning about the city’s history and its cuisine, you’ll get to try a great variety of snacks, street food dishes, Arabic coffee with dates, and tea.
Your guide will introduce you to the culture and religion of the Emirati people before you hop on an abra and cross the creek to Deira. There, visit the bustling Gold and Spices Souks, two iconic attractions in Dubai.
This tour includes: Transportation, a guide, entry fees, Arabic coffee, and all food tastings. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Get ready to eat your way through Old Dubai on this Dubai Food Tour: 4 Cuisines, Souks & Street Bites, led by a local food expert.
Starting at Sharaf DG Metro, you’ll walk through the ancient part of the city as you discover its culture, history, and gastronomy, with stops at some spectacular spots to sample some of the local cuisine.
Relish an authentic Lebanese mezze, shawarma, and Iranian kebabs, and pop into a Michelin-recognized restaurant for Lamb Majboos, sweet luqaimat dumplings, and traditional Arabic coffee.
You’ll also snack with samosas, pakoras, pani puri, and a cup of karak tea. The tour includes a visit to the vibrant Gold and Spice Souks as well.
This tour includes: A guide, all food tastings, Arabic coffee, tea, bottled water, entry fees, a guided tour of the Souks, and optional pick-up and drop-off. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Food Tours in Dubai
▶️ This Local Street Food and Guided Walking Tour of Dubai Old Town takes you around the traditional side of the city, wandering around the oldest neighborhood with a knowledgeable guide.
Wander through the alleys of the Al Fahidi District as you admire the traditional wind towers and buildings, and learn about Dubai’s fascinating past, which remains pretty much intact in this part of Dubai.
Hop on an abra boat, and cross the Dubai Creek toward the famous souks, which you’ll explore after sampling a great variety of Emitati flavors.
You’ll be treated to iconic dishes such as falafel, shawarma, sweet luwaimat, hummus, chicken mandi, and kunafa, all picked from reputable street food vendors, diving into the secrets of Dubai’s gastronomy with your exclusive group of up to 15.
This tour includes: A private guide, a walking tour, all food tastings, and water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Discover the delicious diversity of Dubai’s cuisine on this Private Food Tour: The 10 Tastings of Dubai with Locals. Savor delightful falafel and taste camel milk dates, a unique local treat, as you wander through the aromatic Spice Souk and the Textile Souk.
Then, cross Dubai Creek on an abra and learn about the Hindu Temple Complex at Bur Dubai Creek. Stop at traditional eateries for up to 10 tastings of local food and drinks along the way, with vegetarian options available.
It’s a delightful blend of flavors, culture, and history wrapped up in one amazing tour!
This tour includes: A private guide, 10 tastings, abra crossing, and a walking tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cultural Breakfast & Lunch in Dubai
▶️ Get ready to immerse yourself in Emirati tradition on a Dubai: Cultural Lunch at The Sheikh Mohammed Center. This 1.5-hour experience takes you on a delightful journey through the customs and history of the UAE.
You’ll join an authentic lunch at SMCCU, whose mission is to demystify local culture and create cross-cultural connections.
Indulge in local flavors, Arabic coffee, and dates as the friendly hosts encourage you to ask questions and offer insights into the rich heritage of the UAE and its cultural values. Spots are limited to nine participants, making the tour all the more intimate.
This tour includes: A cultural lunch at the Sheikh Mohammed Center with local dishes, Arabic coffee, and dates. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Join this Dubai: Emirati Cultural Breakfast Experience at the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding. You’ll feast on authentic Emirati cuisine as your hosts introduce you to the country’s customs and history.
The experience fosters cultural exchange and encourages participants to ask questions and clear doubts about the UAE on any topic, from religion to cultural values and culinary preferences.
The breakfast menu is an assortment of mouthwatering local dishes, desserts, and the iconic Arabic coffee and dates.
This tour includes: Breakfast and cultural exchange at the Sheikh Mohammed Center. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Dubai: Dinner in the Sky
Indulge in the most unique style of dining with Dubai: Dinner in the Sky Experience. You’ll be seated at a table and suspended by a crane 50 meters above the ground, enjoying jaw-dropping views all around you.
Spot Palm Jumeirah and the enchanting Dubai Marina as you savor a delectable 3-course meal, slowly rotating on your seat so you get views from all angles. The bonus? You’ll see a live cooking show by the chef!
This tour includes: A 3-course meal suspended in the sky. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
