Best Food Tours of Dubai

Many of the things to see and do in Dubai have to do with enjoying the gastronomy of a city as diverse and touristy as this one. In Dubai you will find all the possible scenarios of the culinary world, ranging from the typical and traditional Arab food to the most elegant and sophisticated proposals of the competitive international gastronomic environment.

I invite you to continue reading this publication so that you can take into account some information about the best gastronomic tours in Dubai. The truth is that by knowing the prices, duration and number of attractions that are included in this type of tourist experience, you will be able to choose one based on your interests and your own needs.

When you think of street food, your first image is probably not of a city as luxurious and exclusive as Dubai. However, it is this very detail that plays in favour of an experience like this. The idea is to explore the gastronomic world of Dubai like the locals themselves.

Keep in mind that this is a shared experience with at least 15 other people, and at all times you will have a local English or Spanish-speaking guide who will share with you all the historical details about each of the places you visit along the route. As well as exploring the flavours and ingredients of the Emirate's cuisine, you'll also visit sites such as Dubai Creek, the Dubai Museum and the famous Souks in the city's oldest quarter.

Arabic coffee and tea, Middle Eastern-style orange juices, shawarmas and falafel are just some of the staples on the menu of a street food tour like this one.

This experience is also a great way to learn your way around Dubai, as even though you'll be driving in an air-conditioned car from one place to another, you'll be able to see the different routes that exist to get from the more modern, touristy areas of the city to the old quarter filled with these street food offerings.

Interesting details

• Price: the rates for a gastronomic tour of this kind are quite reasonable, starting at around 50€ per adult for a tour without hotel pick-up and rising to 65€ for a return trip directly to your accommodation.
• Duration: On average, these tours always last about three hours from start to finish. Bear in mind that the lunch section only accounts for one hour of this total duration, as there are other activities such as taking a Water Taxi on the Dubai Creek or visiting the Dubai Museum.
• Means of transport: usually a minibus or minivan and always air-conditioned.
• Advantages of this option: being able to discover the world of street food in a city like Dubai is a real privilege. Most of the gastronomic offer is focused on exclusive and luxurious experiences that are not of interest to everyone.
• Drawbacks of this option: wandering the streets and stalls of the Souks can be an overwhelming experience due to the high summer temperatures in Dubai.

On the other hand, privacy and exclusivity are things that many people see as a priority when participating in a sightseeing tour, especially if it is one focused on the gastronomy of a place like Dubai.

These types of gastronomic excursions or tours also tend to feature staples of the Emirate's cuisine such as chocolate dates, cheese and egg pancakes, shawarma and camel meat preparations. Keep in mind that most of these dishes can be found in the more traditional markets in the old part of the city, such as the famous Spice Souk, where you can also enjoy different types of dried fruits and spiced oils.

On this type of gastronomic tour you can also enjoy a ride in a Water Taxi along the small river that divides the city in its oldest part. In addition, you will be accompanied at all times by a guide specialised in the gastronomic and cultural history of this city.

Interesting details

• Price: prices vary depending on the number of people participating in the tour, as it is a private tour and this means that the total price of the service is divided among several people. The price per person is usually between €100 and €150 approximately.
• Duration: this type of gastronomic tour also usually lasts approximately three hours.
• Means of transport: as this is a private tour, it is possible to opt for a luxury vehicle with 3 or even 5 seats, but if there are a larger number of participants, it is possible to choose a minivan.
• Advantages of this option: Having the guide available exclusively for you and your few companions allows you to learn even more about Dubai's gastronomic identity.
• Disadvantages of this option: This is definitely a more expensive option and doesn't really have any benefits other than privacy and exclusivity.

There are several ways to book a food tour in Dubai and any of them can be convenient for you. However, the most convenient for a tourist visiting from abroad is an online booking.

Firstly, because you can get a tour that suits your interests and budget specifically for the dates and times that suit you.

This applies to other tourist experiences, such as camel rides in Dubai or a sandboarding excursion in the Dubai dunes.

Shopping at a tourist agency in Dubai is another alternative available to you. However, it is not a city where most places have such establishments. Plus, your budget will triple the amount you would spend going from one place to another to get an alternative that has the same competitive rates as online bookings.

All food tours in Dubai usually have a maximum duration of three to four hours. This is logical when you consider that the actual eating part of the tour is something that can be spread over an hour and a half at most and the rest of the time is spent sightseeing around the city and getting from one place to another.

However, this duration alone is full of advantages, as the fact that an activity only takes up part of your morning or afternoon means that you can spend the rest of your day exploring other tourist attractions in the city. A tour of Dubai' s best mosques could be a good alternative in a day that includes a gastronomic tour of the city.

On this type of tour you will clearly enjoy the most important elements of Arabian gastronomy in its most traditional and authentic presentations. Exactly for that reason another essential part of this kind of tours is usually the walking and exploring of the typical markets in the older part of the city.

That means that on the best food tours in Dubai you will be a little bit away from the fancy and exclusive restaurants that you can really get in other parts of the world. This is for the advantageous purpose of exploring the original part of the city that existed before the economic explosion that led to the construction of hundreds of skyscrapers that today define the most touristic part of the city.

In fact, if you are still keen to learn a little more about the cultural identity of the United Arab Emirates thenyou should opt for some tours and excursions from Dubai that go to other parts of this interesting country.

The first tip I can give you regarding food tours in Dubai is to know that you are going to come out of the experience completely satiated. It is therefore preferable that you have a relatively small breakfast at the hotel or even not at all if you book the morning times.

The next factor that I can advise you to consider when participating in these types of food tours is to wear appropriate clothing when touring a traditional market in the city. This has less to do with the amount of skin you show and more to do with climatic comfort. Depending on the year the temperature in Dubai can be very high or significantly low for a city in the desert.

I also advise you to participate in this experience with a willingness to explore a culture that is totally different for many people. If you have any further questions about how to feel safe and comfortable exploring the UAE, I invite you to read about some practical tips for travelling to Dubai. I'm sure they could make a big difference to your visit.

On average, a gastronomic tour of Dubai usually costs between 50 and 100€ per person. This is in case you focus on exploring the origins of Arabian gastronomy in this city and visit relatively modest and inexpensive restaurants.

Dubai is an expensive city when it comes to high-end gastronomy and an average visit to a five-star restaurant can exceed €150 per person.

So a good food tour that really focuses on showing you as many of the city's culinary highlights as possible will take you to establishments that aren't as well known.

However, if you're in the mood for a really fancy dinner you can do a little research on things to do and see in the Dubai Marina...

Talking about specific must-visit places on the best food tours in Dubai is a little tricky. Many of them are focused on street food stalls that you would struggle to get to without the expertise of a real specialist in the city.

One thing I can assure you that you should never miss on a food tour of this city is a visit to the typical markets of the old quarter. For example, the Spice Souk is a must if you want to get to know everything to do with dried fruits, ingredients and condiments that give flavour to Arab preparations in such a characteristic way.

Another good way to familiarise yourself with the flavours and traditions of eating in this community are the excursions to the desert of Dubai. Many of them include traditional Berber-style dinners.

A food tour is something that is recommended in most tourist destinations around the world and Dubai is no exception. Although it has become a very internationalised place in recent years, it still maintains a very interesting cultural identity.

At the same time, an experience like this is also the perfect opportunity to explore the older part of the city in one itinerary, saving you time and money.

However, you can also do some research on the best places to eat in Dubai when it comes to exclusive restaurants with gastronomic offerings that are discussed by the culinary cognoscenti of the culinary world.

The first advantage of taking a guided tour has to do with the logistical ease. You don't have to worry about how you're going to get from one place to another and how much you'll spend on transfers.

A guided tour takes you directly to the most important places in each of these markets and each of these food places. In addition, you are guaranteed to receive favourable prices, as you have already paid a flat rate and do not have to negotiate with any of these establishments. Which is practically a tradition in Middle Eastern countries.

If you are too eager to explore a place on your own without the need to go with a guide then you can also go for the Dubai Marina cruises. This is because they are a sightseeing tour where you don't have to worry about the logistics and you don't need the accompaniment of a specialist in the area. At least beyond the captain in charge of the boat.