Old Dubai Tour: Souks, Spices, and Authentic Emirati Feast

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Old Dubai on this half-day walking tour. Explore the souks, savor local food, and discover the hidden gems of the city. Join us for a unique and authentic experience!

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Dubai Spice Souk - Enjoy a nostalgic Old Dubai treat paired with sweet milky tea in the charming back alleys of the souk.
  • Dubai Spice Souk - Engage in our exclusive spice game, “SPINGO,” at the souk! Afterwards, refresh yourself with a chilled Iranian dessert infused with rosewater, fruit cordial, and lemon juice.
    (SPINGO is replaced with…
What's Included
  • Use of audio receiver and free earphones to hear the tour guide clearly
  • Professional guide
  • Bottled water
  • Abra ride across the creek
  • 4 snack stops and 1 sit-down meal
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Substitutions in case of allergies/restrictions
Additional Information

Embark on a mesmerizing 4-hour exploration of Old Dubai, revealing the city’s essence beyond the typical tourist routes.
Start with a nostalgic delight tucked away in the souk’s alleys, sparking your adventure. Participate in the thrilling spice game, SPINGO, where you’ll discover and learn, culminating in a refreshing icy treat to awaken your senses….

Location
Jafer Biman Ali Cafeteria.
Old Baladiya Street
Kindly meet us by Jafer Biman Ali Cafeteria in the Spice Souk. Guide in "Keep Calm - I'm Your Food Tour Guide" t-shirt. Starts promptly on time! If late, WhatsApp number provided for location. Guide may not answer calls during tour. Latecomers take the responsibility to join group.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(132 Ratings)
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Sally
May 20, 2025
Dubai on a plate! - Great tour guide who shared lots about the history of the food and culture of Dubai. We tasted a really good variety of local foods which were all yummy. Such an interesting way to learn a lot about a place in a short time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Themimoux
Apr 21, 2025
I loved the tour in every way! An everlasting memory! - This was one of the best food tours I ever attended! Our guide Reem was knowledgeable, fun und friendly. We had a perfect day with her! The food was delicious and plentiful. Just the right mixture of different tasts and places - bakeries, street food venues, restaurants, most of them traditional places that are in Abu Dhabi for ages. And the area suprisingly is full of contemporary pieces of art, markets and community places. A „must do“, even if you are not a foodie or art lover! Join in, have a trip around Asia that is only one block in a neighborhood of Abu Dhabi and change perspectives! Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
789newman
Mar 24, 2025
Amazing and extremely well guided tour - This was an amazing and extremely well guided tour. Our guide Ketki was very informative and passionate about the whole area we visited and the experience of breaking Iftar with over 5000 muslims in the streets of the old souk was immense. Plenty of food to try and the seafood meal at the end of the tour, Al Fanar restaurant, was superb, followed by a heavenly caramal stick toffee pudding!! Overall a great tour and one we would recommend to anyone wanting to experience Dubai before oil.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
186zenas
Feb 26, 2025
The wonderful tale of Dubai and its start - Truly wonderful experience with Arva who gave us great history of the area as well as a background on different cultures and religions that all live simultaneously together. The small alleys with incredible culture and amazing food spots were truly impressive and Arva knew exactly which places to hit up. It’s a lovely walk and each alley gives u a totally diff feel and experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F4095xadianad
Feb 13, 2025
Highly recommend ! - We had an amazing experience at the Dubai souks food tour! Ketki, our guide, was wonderful and not only gave us historical context to all the foods but kept us entertained throughout. All the food was delicious and this was as one of the best experiences we had during our Dubai trip. Highly recommend !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
615alt
Jan 20, 2025
Behind the Souk - We had a great group and guide. Lots of fun. I have been to the Spice Souk many times, but saw and ate our way through areas I had either never seen or never stopped to notice. At the final Emirati dinner nobody wanted to leave.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura
Jan 5, 2025
More than just a food tour - Worth the money. Between food stops, our guide Ketki weaved us through the souks giving us a rundown of history, culture and influences over time. Local knowledge was evident through Ketki’s childhood stories, and her easygoing personality and humour was appreciated. Good ratio of walking:eating:abra riding. And of course great food discoveries!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pioneer15981808239
Dec 17, 2024
Highly recommended - Our guide’s knowledge and the stories she shared were memorable. Fabulous food tasting combined with stories and demonstrations. I would happily recommend this tour.
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Jeanpaulherzog
Dec 11, 2024
EAT, WALK, LEARN - Great walk through the Deira and Fahidi Souks with plenty of snacks culminating in a fine dinner at Al Fanar. Interesting historical and anecdotal insights by our intrepid guide and Ketki. The spice shop experience was the highlight for me. Thank you, Frying Pan; and thank you co-walkers in this culinary expedition. .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
647nafeesaa
Apr 28, 2025
An interesting and enjoyable Abu Dhabi Public Art & Street Food Tour by Frying Pan adventures! - I had a fantastic experience on the Abu Dhabi Public Art and Street Food Tour! The tour offered a perfect blend of delicious food, beautiful street art, and fascinating insights into Middle Eastern culture. Our guide, Reem, was very knowledgeable, friendly, and thoughtful, making the tour even more special. We visited several unique spots, each with authentic flavors true to their regions. From the Palestinian Ka'ak Al Quds sandwich at Al Khabbaz Bakery, to pani puri at Chaat Chaska, Kashmiri chai at MashaAllah Cafeteria, and amazing baklava at Al Dar Sweets — everything was absolutely delicious. I especially enjoyed the variety, and by the end of the tour, I was happily full! On our way, we also saw beautiful artworks. Even though the weather was quite warm, the interesting facts and the lively atmosphere made us forget about the heat. The walking would have been even more pleasant in a cooler weather. Overall, it was a well-organized and memorable experience. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting a real taste of Abu Dhabi’s food, art, and culture!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $138
up to 6 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).