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 | Old Town, Creek, Museums, Souks, & Street Food Tour |
| 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 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.
Why is this the top tour? This excursion boasts more than 3,500 five-star reviews. On top of its stellar recommendations, it offers a great variety of traditional food while providing informational and fun context to the neighborhoods and attractions you’ll visit. It combines a city tour with a foodie experience in the best way.
Read what the reviews say:
“The tour was beyond my expectations! My English speaking group was very pleasant to spend the time with but what truly made the difference was our tour guide, Hamza. He was very charismatic, knowledgeable about the history, and shared really good insight in day to day shopping and negotiation. Hope there will be other walking tours locations with Hamza in the future. This was fun!”
Milva – Read more reviews
This tour includes: Transportation, a guide, entry fees, Arabic coffee, all food tastings, ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Other Great Dubai Street Food Tours
▶️ Join a Middle Eastern Food Trail – Walking Tour to taste the best dishes of the region in one of its most multicultural cities. Dive into coffee culture at the Coffee Museum, and treat yourself to tasty Lebanese Manakesh with zesty lemon-mint juice.
Dig into Arabic Mezzeh, a shared platter of appetizers, while watching abra boats cross the Dubai Creek. You’ll also get to try the iconic Shawarma and falafel, the most popular Arab street foods.
The tour, which is limited to nine participants, ends at a local restaurant where you’ll indulge in Emirati cuisine.
This tour includes: A guided walking tour, entrance to the Coffee Museum, all tastings, and an open buffet at an Emirati restaurant. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ This Dubai: Half-Day Street Food Tour takes you wandering the maze of old quarter streets as they light up for the night. Accompanied by a guide, you’ll visit the spice market, where you’ll be treated to spicy Indian samosa, Melbouri, and Velbouri.
Then, taste the rich flavors of Lebanese cuisine with samples of tabbouleh and fattoush, flame-grilled to perfection. You’ll eat with your hands like a true Bedouin, and sweeten your taste buds with traditional dates.
They will thank you for this flavorsome journey through the city’s vibrant markets and bustling alleys!
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, all tastings, bottled water, and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Private Food Tours in Dubai
▶️ Step into Dubai’s vibrant food scene with the Original Street Food Tour of Dubai. Sample the city’s multi-ethnic street delights such as falafel, Afghani bread, and pita-wrapped kebabs. Your guide will share valuable details about the city’s foodie culture along the way.
You’ll visit street food markets and authentic spots to indulge in classic shawarma, spiced tea, Indian-style pastries, and many more delicious bites! Get ready to discover the heart of old Dubai’s culinary culture in this 2-hour tour.
This tour includes: All tastings, and a guide. ➥ 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
