Private Tour, 12 Tastings

Private Food Tour: 12 Tastings with Locals

★ 5.0 24 reviews

3 hours, free cancellation.

from $107 per person

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Duration: 3 hours
Meeting point: Al Ras Metro Station (Deira)
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: travel with malik

Overview

Twelve tastings in three hours is the pitch here, and the operator, travel with malik, keeps it private: one guide, your group, and a walk through Old Dubai's food scene. The route takes in the Spice Souk, the Textile Souk, Indian Temple Street, Al Fahidi Fort and Al Bastakiya, with food stops threaded through the historical sights. Between bites the guide explains the history of the places you pass.

The food itself runs from savoury to sweet, plus local drinks. Dates and falafel are the anchor classics, and the tour also includes camel milk tea and camel milk chocolate, which the listing singles out as local specialities. Bottled water is provided, and each tasting is chosen by the guide rather than fixed by a script. One group of reviewers said there was more food than they could finish, so the listing's advice to arrive hungry is practical, not marketing.

Spice shopfront in Deira with woven sacks of spices displayed on the pavement

This suits travellers who want an introduction to Emirati and old-city cuisine with context attached, and who are happy to walk. Guides are named again and again in reviews as the reason the tour works: travellers describe them as knowledgeable and engaging, and some reviewers specifically praised their German. It is not a good fit for anyone who wants hotel transport, since the meeting point is Al Ras Metro Station in Deira and you make your own way there.

What's Included

Included

Local guide
12 different local food and drink tastings
Bottled water

Not Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
All personal expenses
Gratuities

Itinerary

Meet at Al Ras Metro
Spice Souk
Textile Souk
Indian Temple Street
Al Fahidi Fort and Al Bastakiya

Meet at Al Ras MetroThe meeting point is Al Ras Metro Station on Al Khor Street in Deira. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your own metro or taxi ride.
Spice SoukThe listing names the Spice Souk among the stops on the walk. The guide shares its history and cultural relevance between tastings.
Textile SoukThe route also takes in the Textile Souk, another of the sights named in the listing. Tastings are spread across the tour, though the listing does not fix which food is served where.
Indian Temple StreetA stop on Indian Temple Street, which the listing includes among the remarkable spots visited. The guide covers the street's background as part of the walk.
Al Fahidi Fort and Al BastakiyaThe tour also visits Al Fahidi Fort and Al Bastakiya. The listing does not state the order of the stops, so treat this as the set of sights rather than a fixed sequence.

Where this tour sits among 4 tours in Private Food Tours listed here (from-price per person, USD)

Private Tour, 12 Tastings (this tour)$107
Withlocals 10-Tasting Private$160
Half-Day Street Food Walk$189
Premium Food And History Walk$350

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you get the most out of this tour, based on the listing and on what travellers report afterwards.

Come hungry. The listing is blunt about this: arrive with an empty stomach so you can manage all 12 tastings. One reviewer said there was so much food that their group could not finish it. The portions are clearly meant to be taken seriously.
Wear walking shoes. The listing recommends comfortable shoes and sunglasses. Reviewers describe moving through souks and narrow streets between food stops, so footwear that can handle a few hours of walking makes sense. The tour covers several of Old Dubai's historic areas, so dress for time outdoors.
Language options. The tour runs in English or German, and reviewers who took it in German praise the guides' fluency. One group was asked in advance whether switching to English would be acceptable, so the language you book may not always be the language you get.
Leave big bags behind. Luggage and large bags are not allowed on the tour, per the listing. Travel light, since you will be moving through souks and narrow streets. Whatever you carry should be easy to keep with you throughout.
Guides make the tour. Reviewers consistently single out their guides as the highlight, describing them as knowledgeable, engaging and funny. One reviewer said their guide's explanations of Dubai's history, from its trading origins to its modern growth, added real depth to everything the group tasted and saw. The pattern of praise for guides is strong across many reviews.
History between bites. This is more than a food walk. Several travellers say the historical commentary added real depth, and the route deliberately passes Al Fahidi Fort, Al Bastakiya and the souks so the sightseeing is built in. If you only want food with no commentary, this may feel like extra walking.

Common issues. The main limit is transport: there is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you must reach Al Ras Metro Station yourself, and gratuities plus any personal spending are not covered. One reviewer noted the tour ran longer than the listed duration, so do not schedule something tight directly afterwards. Another group booked in German but were asked in advance to switch to English, which was fine for them but worth flagging if your English or German is weak. Large bags are not permitted, and the tour involves walking between stops in Old Dubai.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The price covers a local guide, 12 different local food and drink tastings, and bottled water. Hotel pickup and drop-off, personal expenses and gratuities are not included. Everything you eat and drink on the tour itself is covered.

Where Does The Tour Start?

The meeting point is Al Ras Metro Station, on Al Khor Street in the Al Ras area of Deira. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off with this tour, so you need to make your own way there. The station is on Dubai's metro network, which makes it straightforward to reach.

How Long Does The Tour Last?

The listed duration is 3 hours. One reviewer reported their guide stayed out closer to four, though that was a single experience rather than the norm. It is sensible to leave some slack in your schedule afterwards.

What Food Will I Try?

The tour includes 12 tastings spanning savoury dishes, sweets and local drinks. Dates and falafel are among the classics, and camel milk tea and camel milk chocolate are specifically highlighted. Reviewers describe the selection as delicious and varied, with one group saying there was more food than they could finish.

Can I Cancel If My Plans Change?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, according to the listing. If you cancel inside that window, the listing does not state the terms, so check the cancellation details on the booking page before you book.

What Should I Bring?

Comfortable shoes and sunglasses, as the listing recommends. Do not bring luggage or large bags, as they are not allowed. Since the tour involves plenty of walking and generous food portions, an appetite is just as important as anything in your bag.