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A great way to tour and eat in old Dubai We had a great time doing this tour in old Dubai. It was expertly presented in a really interesting way, bringing to life old Dubai and the families that made it what it is today. The food options were all delicious and we added on the drinks option, though with the food they were quite filling! Plenty of food, earphones were fabulous for communicating with the whole group, the group was small and we ran right on time. We had been to the souk before but it was great to have the spices explained and help with making our purchase of saffron. There were locals and visitors on the tour and they all really enjoyed it.read moreread less
Liz M.09/01/26Fantastic Food Tour in Dubai! This was a wonderful food tour in Old Dubai. I have participated in over 20 food tours in my life, and this is definitely in the top 5! The food was interesting, delicious and varied. The details were smoothly handled by our friendly guide Camilla. I loved learning the stories behind each Middle Eastern dish we encountered. Camilla did a great job contacting all the restaurants/shops in advance and she even handled some tough dietary restrictions. I would love to return to Dubai and try another one of their tours. Highly recommend for families!read moreread less Andrea07/01/26 - Amazing food tour of Old Dubai Our tour led by Ketki was amazing for our family of 4 adults. She kindly agreed to give us a tour on Christmas Day. Ketki was very knowledgeable and easy to ask questions. We truly felt at the end we understood the area, history and culture. The food stops were a great variety and plentiful. Items provided for the tour were thoughtful - wipes and hand sanitizer. The ability to listen with headphones made following along easy even from a distance so no information was missed. The guidebook emailed after the tour was excellent - providing details on all the places visited and food eaten. This tour was a highlight of our trip to Dubai for our entire family. We highly recommend it.read moreread less Shan7P04/01/26Awesome food and cultural experience! This was my third time back for this tour and have learned new things about Dubai and the food each time. Farida is an excellent host having grown up and currently living in the area. Farida really gives a locals perspective on the area. As usual the food was excellent. I am vegetarian and Farida made sure I had options to enjoy the tour. Highlights are the best Falafel and Kunafa you will find anywhere.read moreread less Mike B.29/12/25
- A taste of the Middle East in Old Dubai We had a great evening with Camila, learning about the food culture of various Middle Eastern countries - and, more importantly, eating quite a lot of delicious food. The felafel was the best I've ever eaten. Likewise the baclava. And I was introduced to some dishes I had never tasted. Camila had lots of anecdotes and interesting snippets of information to share.A huge success from our point of view. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in food and how it relates to the wider culture.read moreread less daviesfamilynz117/10/25Camila & Kunafa the perfect couple! I decided to take our team on this tour as something fun to do after a long week together in Dubai. 6 people, 6 nationalities, 3 residents of Dubai, 3 not. All of us had an amazing time. Camila was so knowledgable and the knowledge was not being read from a script, she clearly loves the food and the culture and understanding. The food was Devine, epically the Kunafa, I could have eastern the entire tray. I am sure that we will return to do another tour in the near future.read moreread less Ben04/10/25
- Lovely Experience Thank you for a lovely experience, and Camilla for sharing her knowledge of the area and food. The best kunafa I have ever had.read moreread less Jintyf20/09/25Great Emirati Home Visit We enjoyed the Emirati Home Visit so much. It is a very authentic experience to be in an Emirati family home having the opportunity to try local delicious food and beverages. At the same time we had the chance to ask questions directly, e. g. about daily life, custom, family traditions, etc and get answers from the family personally. A very valuable insight you normally don’t get as a tourist. That evening exceeded our expectations.read moreread less Voyage56694228/06/25
- I Want to Eat Everything! Whole heartedly reccomended! My team and I recently booked a private food tour for 8 folks because we LOVE food, how it ties into a place, history, and people. Communicating was easy, fast, and pleasant. Farida answered my many questions via WhatsApp before I booked, and even helped me change the date of my reservation when I realized a day later I had made the booking for a week earlier. The food tour itself was delicious. I am sure we would never have the opportunity or know to look for many of the places we visited. It was very difficult to stop from pace ourselves throughout each stop because everything was SO good.The tour was a good balance of eating, walking to digest, interaction and stories about Dubai and other cultures, while allowing us enough room to take in the sites around us, sit with our food, and talk as a team. It was our favorite part of the trip and I can not recommend joining in the food tour and eating through the city. One thing I love about Frying Pan's Food Adventures is that they're also make sure that any extra food is not thrown away, but set aside where it can uplift someone else's day. Thank you so much for everything! We created memories, I'm sure we'll hold on to for a long, long time.read moreread less Jessica T.26/05/25Dubai 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.read moreread less Sally A.20/05/25
- Good people vibes I'm not sure where to begin with how good this tour was. Camila was our guide. She was friendly, warm, paid attention to the various needs of our large group. The walk around she did was conversational, rather than tour. She made us feel like she was a friend showing us her favorite places. The stories of the food and the city added to the comfort of the tour. The food spots were outstanding, and the people in each shop were excited to have us there. That's the sign of a good community based tour, when your partners are happy to receive your guests. It screams relationships, not transactions. I've been recommending this "tour" company to everyone. I'll also do this tour again and any others they offer. And I have the names of the food places to go back to again and again.read moreread less Hussein R.16/05/25An 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!read moreread less nafeesa a.28/04/25
- Best authentic foods in Dubai! We got to eat a variety of wonderful middle eastern foods at restaurants that we would have never discovered on our own. I've saved all of them on my Google maps so that I can revisit and enjoy them again on a future trip. It was also great to get away from the more touristy areas of the city. Of course the big resorts have excellent chefs, but the neighborhood restaurants that we visited on this tour really introduce you to the vibrant culture and the true heart and soul of the people.read moreread less sconti23/04/25I 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!read moreread less TheMimoux21/04/25
- Fantastic tour! This was a great tour that you are definitely full at the end of, and more knowledgeable by the end.Our guide Camila was very friendly and enthusiastic, and our group was just four of us which was great!We enjoyed all the food and stories, and would highly recommend this to anyone!read moreread less Paul13/04/25Start your trip here! Informative. Relaxed. Well fed. What more could you ask for?! A great introduction to a new city. Big thanks to Camila for the wonderful evening.read moreread less Dante C.11/04/25
- Very nice evening! Very nice tour! The food was delicious and the places typical. Our guide provided a lot of useful information that allowed us to appreciate the local cuisineread moreread less Christiane110701/04/25Fantastic Experience amazing food marathon! highly recommended! thank you Camilla for making it very special will surely repeat when I will be back!read moreread less Rosalba P.25/03/25
- 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.read moreread less Dave N.24/03/25Great Food Tour Great food tour, trying a wide variety of dishes, don’t eat before there is plenty of it. The only thing I didn’t like was the guide asked us to introduce ourselves to the rest of the tour why, it’s not work, we can all do that if we want to.read moreread less Senna117/03/25
Our Team
We’re a local crew of food lovers that loves peeling back the layers of Dubai through its diverse food and communities.
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Google & TripAdvisor Reviews
Founders
Arva Ahmed
Co-Founder & CEO
Hi, I’m Arva, and I’ve been chasing flavors and food stories across Dubai for over a decade. Funny enough, my food journey didn’t start with a bang—it was more about the simple joys, like my mum’s legendary gulab jamuns, fast food hot dogs, and the shawarma from our local cafeteria. Little did I know, growing up around my mum, a trained nutritionist, would spark a deep curiosity about food that I’d later embrace wholeheartedly.
Before starting Frying Pan Adventures, I dabbled in finance and earned an MBA—worlds away from food tourism—but it gave me the tools to build something I’m truly passionate about. These days, I geek out over Middle Eastern and Central Asian bakeries (carbs are my happy place!) and love creating tours that bring Dubai’s hidden food gems to life. Watching our guests experience the bold, historic flavors of Old Dubai for the first time is pure magic. And behind the scenes? I’m all about collaborating with my amazing team to keep learning, exploring, and building new adventures. Life’s never boring when there’s always something new to taste or a story to tell!
Farida Ahmed
Co-Founder & General Manager
Hi, I’m Farida, and my love for food and culture began at home, where my mom’s storytelling transformed a simple bowl of kichdi—a comforting rice and lentil dish—into a journey through family memories. Those stories of her childhood in Hyderabad, where Sunday cod liver oil was followed by this nourishing meal, taught me how food connects us to our personal histories.
Before co-founding Frying Pan Adventures, I studied at a hotel school in Switzerland and built my career in hotels and HR, fine-tuning my ability to anticipate needs and create meaningful connections. These skills now help me craft tours that dive deep into Dubai’s rich culinary tapestry. Beyond food, I’m a bit of a geek for word games, traveling for delicious discoveries, and indulging in Korean beauty obsessions.
The best part of my work? Meeting incredible people from all over the world and watching them light up when they experience Dubai through our tours. It’s amazing how food can break barriers, foster connections, and inspire appreciation for our shared humanity. If you’re in town, I highly recommend exploring Dubai’s flavors beyond the usual hotspots—it’s a journey worth taking!
The Team
Noorin Ansari
Tour Leader
Hi, I’m Noorin aka Noon, and my love for food and culture started with my sister, who opened my eyes (and taste buds!) to cuisines I’d never experienced before. That curiosity grew into an obsession with storytelling and food, fueled by cooking shows where chefs shared the origins of their dishes. It wasn’t until I joined Frying Pan Adventures that I truly dove into the rich history and culture behind food.
Before this, I worked in education, but now I get to geek out over dish origins, cats, and true crime (an odd combo, but it keeps things interesting!). My advice for exploring a city like Dubai? Take a food tour. There’s no better way to discover the soul of a place, especially its older, more historic neighborhoods.
What I love most about Frying Pan Adventures is the team—they’re what makes this work so rewarding. And, of course, the food! Seeing guests leave a tour amazed by the flavors, culture, and hospitality is a feeling that never gets old. Sharing those meaningful moments is what this job is all about.
Camila Patrial
Tour Leader
Hi, I’m Camila, and my love for food and culture began in my childhood kitchen, where my mom and grandmother taught me to cook and shared stories of life on a farm, where every meal was made with love and tradition. My dad’s passion for ancient history and travel sparked my curiosity about the world, blending food, history, and storytelling into my journey of exploration.
I studied hospitality and tourism management and gained hands-on experience in restaurants, hotels, and travel agencies, which taught me what travelers really crave—authenticity, connection, and great stories. I also have a deep love for languages, from Portuguese and English to French, Arabic, and now German. For me, learning a new language is like discovering a whole new way to connect across cultures.
My advice for visiting a new city? Stay curious, engage with locals, and go beyond the tourist spots. At Frying Pan Adventures, I love sharing the untold stories of Dubai’s neighborhoods and cuisines, helping guests see the city’s rich diversity beyond its shiny exterior. The most rewarding part of my job is hearing how these experiences give people a deeper connection to Dubai—it’s a joy to be part of that discovery.
Ketki Bhosale
Tour Leader
Hi, I’m Ketki, and my love for food and stories began in childhood, helping my dad make juice and my mom knead dough or chop tomatoes. But the real magic happened at dinner, when my mom would share family tales, folktales, and fairy tales to keep my brother and me still while we ate. Those moments sparked my lifelong fascination with the connection between food, culture, and storytelling.
Before joining Frying Pan Adventures, I studied marketing communications and worked in strategy and content creation—both centered around telling stories and connecting with people. I also geek out over everything from food science and history to philosophy, mental health, and animation (fantasy and sci-fi are my favorite for their relatable yet fantastical stories).
My advice for exploring a city like Dubai? Make local friends and get a little lost—it’s the best way to discover its soul. At Frying Pan Adventures, I love sharing overlooked places and untold stories that help people see the city in a whole new way. Being part of a team of strong women inspires me every day, and meeting fascinating people along the way makes the journey even more meaningful.
Atiya Fatima
Logistics Coordinator
Hi, I’m Atiya, and my love for food started in the kitchen, watching my mom cook with so much skill and joy. She inspired me to appreciate the magic of food and how it brings people together. Before joining Frying Pan Adventures, I studied interior design—not exactly food-related, but both involve creativity and an eye for detail, which I now use to help curate unique food experiences.
I’m obsessed with travel and love discovering new places and cultures. My advice for exploring Dubai—or any city—is to skip the flashy spots and dive into genuine tours and great local restaurants. That’s where you’ll find the real heart of a place.
Being part of Frying Pan Adventures has been life-changing for me. The team’s support has helped me grow in so many ways. Meeting new people and hearing their stories is the best part of what I do—it’s taught me so much about the world and keeps my curiosity alive every day.
Ashley Feldtmann
Personal Assistant to the CEO
Hi, I’m Ashley, and my love for food started in my grandmother’s kitchen, where I spent hours baking and cooking alongside her. She passed down not just her amazing cooking skills but also a deep appreciation for food and the joy it brings.
Before joining Frying Pan Adventures, I studied Psychology and Human Resources. While it may not seem food-related, it taught me communication, empathy, and problem-solving—skills I now use every day to keep things organized and running smoothly behind the scenes.
Outside of work, I love traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with horses. My advice for exploring a new city? Do your research, step out of your comfort zone, and embrace the adventure.
What I love most about Frying Pan Adventures is being part of a strong, female-led team and knowing that I help create memorable experiences for guests. Learning about new cultures and connecting with people from all over the world only deepens my love for travel and adventure.
