Explore Dubai's historic souks while indulging in nostalgic foods and hearing stories of the city's first communities - the perfect mix of sightseeing and food!
- Cover the Old Dubai ‘must-do’s’—the spice souk, abra ride, textile souk and Old Fahidi neighborhood—along a well-paced 3.5-hour route.
- Experience Old Dubai like our friends would, only the stuff you have to see and eat rather than a standard touristy checklist.
- Stand apart from the mammoth groups herded with a flag; our group is small and intimate, with only 10 to 14 fellow explorers.
- Savour popular local snacks, tangy Indian treats and indigenous Emirati dishes.
- Meet a local resident guide who thrives on stories and passion, not commissions from the souk; never feel pressured to spend!
- Ride the abra, Dubai’s oldest form of water transportation across the historic Creek.
- Play SPINGO, our proprietary spice game that transforms the touristy souk into a fun, easy-to-play and immersive experience.
- **May-Sept tours: Summer tours are shortened by one stop to reduce the walking and to make them more summer-friendly.
Meet & Greet
Meet our friendly food tour guide at the historic Spice Souk & learn about the significance of the Al Ras neighbourhood.
Egg Rolls & Tea
Fuel up with an Old Dubai nostalgic treat washed down with sweet milky tea in the back alleys of the souk. (G/D)
Play a fun and educational round of Spicy Bingo through the aromatic alleys of the souk.
Sample a traditional, refreshing Iranian dessert doused in rose syrup and lemon juice.
Abra Ride
Cross the creek from Deira to Bur Dubai in a traditional wooden boat.
1970s Cafeteria Lane
We walk into a narrow lane bustling with hawkers selling delicious crunchy snacks—you can’t leave without trying one (or five)! (G/D)
Take a quick walk through the vibrant textile souk and witness religious tolerance firsthand in Dubai.
Enjoy a traditional meat and rice pilaf (M), a rich vegetarian stew and our favourite sweet dumplings (G/D).
Allergens Key: Contains G-Gluten; D-Dairy; N-Nuts; M-Meat (Beef/Lamb); P-Poultry; F-Fish; S-Shellfish. We regret that there may not be substitutes for dishes. Even if specific dishes do not contain these ingredients, we cannot guarantee against cross-contamination of allergens in the restaurant kitchens.
All prices below include 5% VAT and all the food and water that the guide orders for the group on the tour. Soft beverages are not included.
Shared Tour:
We offer 2 ticket types. The non-refundable ticket may not be changed/refunded for any reason once booked.
On public tours, the flex ticket may be either (a) rescheduled or (b) refunded minus a 35 AED cancellation fee per ticket, anytime up to an hour before the tour commences. Within an hour of the tour start time, no changes are possible on a flex ticket.
- Non-refundable option: AED 435 per person
- Flex option: AED 478.50 per person
Private Tour:
Rates per private group based on group size below:
6 guests or fewer – AED 3056
7 guests – AED 3484
8 guests – AED 3982
9 guests – AED 4480
10 guests – AED 4893
11 guests – AED 5382
12 guests – AED 5871
13 guests – AED 6361
14 guests – AED 6882
Refund/Rescheduling Policy on Private Tours:
- 21 days or more before tour date: All tickets may be fully refunded or rescheduled.
- 8 to 21 days before tour date: Tour may either (a) be rescheduled for a fee of AED 25% of the original group ticket price paid or (b) partially refunded (70% of total price paid).
- 7 or less days before tour date: No changes possible.
- Only one date reschedule possible per private group booking, depending on availability.
- In the case of reductions in the group size, the same refund policy as above applies. A full refund 21 days or more before tour date; partial refund (70% of the difference) 8 to 21 days before tour date; no changes 7 days or less before tour date.
- If gift cards or gifted tickets have been used for any portion of the private tour booking, any full or partial refunds due will be made to the original gift card or gifted ticket.
As an example, if the tour is on the 25th of November:
- Full refunds/free rescheduling is possible up until the 4th of November only (= 25th Nov minus 21 days)
- Between the 5th of November and 17th of November ( = 25th Nov – 7 days), the partial refund/pay-to-reschedule policy applies.
- 18th November onwards, no changes would be possible.
For Children in Private Tour Groups:
- We recommend this tour for children 8 years and above. However we do take children younger than 8 years on the tour if their parent/guardian feel they can manage through the duration of the experience.
- Children 4 years and above are to be included as regular guests in the group size. Children below 4 go free.
- We do offer children discounts for children between the ages of 4 and 8. This option will be provided while booking the tour online.
- Diaper changing facilities are not available on the tour.
We meet right by the Grand Souk Information Center at the Spice Souk parking lot exit (near the intersection).
GPS link: https://goo.gl/maps/ekJ62x7G9ZtXJ1xQ8
Please be on time, we don’t wait for latecomers! Given traffic, limited parking and different starting/ending locations, we strongly recommend that you take the metro rather than driving to the trail. If you plan to take a taxi, please budget extra time for traffic.
Nearby metro: Al Ras (start) and Al Fahidi (end).
Here’s What Past Guests on This Tour Are Saying
Can I book this tour as a private experience?
Yes, we’d love to serve you and any companions on a private tour! We need a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 12 to run this tour as a private experience. You may book out an existing date on our tour calendar as a private tour if no one else has already booked spots on it. Alternatively, please email us at munch@fryingpanadventures.com with your preferred dates so we may schedule a private tour for you.
Should I join this tour if I am vegetarian?
Yes. There is 1 main course on our Souks and Creekside tour which has both a meat pilaf as well as a vegetarian stew. 2 tastings featured are vegetarian-friendly while a 3rd tasting features an egg and cheese sandwich.
How do I get to the tour?
We recommend taking the Al Ras metro and walking down to the starting point at the Spice Souk.
If you plan to drive, please note that parking is challenging to find and our starting point and ending point on this tour are different from each other.
If you plan to take a taxi, please budget extra time for traffic on the roads especially between 5PM and 7PM.
Do we only walk around and sample food?
Absolutely not! Our walking food tours are immersive experiences that combine food tastings with history, culture and personal stories of the city.
What should I bring with me?
Earphones with a 3.5mm jack for the portable audio system that helps you hear the guide clearly.
Please don’t carry anything too heavy as we will be walking. If you plan to purchase edible souvenirs during the tour, please make sure to carry both cash/your credit card (most, but not all, locations accept credit card).
What if I have dietary restrictions or allergies?
Please be sure to let us know if you (or anyone in your group) have a dietary restriction (e.g. vegetarian, diabetic, allergy, etc.) when you purchase your tickets. In most cases, nuts, lactose and gluten may be in the foods featured on our experiences and there is a risk of cross-contamination. If you have a serious allergy, we recommend contacting us at munch@fryingpanadventures.com prior to purchasing tickets to enable us to advise you if our tours are suitable for you.
Are toilet facilities available on the tour?
Yes, toilet facilities are available on most of our tours at selected stops – however we do recommend using a restroom before arriving at the tour as not all tours will have a toilet break at the start.
Is the tour offered in different languages?
At this time, the tour is only offered in English.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Are children allowed?
What do we do in case of bad weather?
The tours are very rarely cancelled due to bad weather. We will email you at least 4 hours prior to the tour should it not be advisable to walk outside due to a thunderstorm or sandstorm; please make sure to check your email if you are aware of bad weather. We also advise you to check weather conditions for your tour and dress appropriately and carry an umbrella if required.
Do I need to purchase tickets in advance?
Yes, advance ticket purchase is required through this website. Our experiences, typically, sell out quickly during the peak season (November to April). To maximize your chances of getting the date, time, and number of tickets you prefer, please book well in advance.
If a tour is sold out, can I get on a waiting list?
If the date and time of your choice is sold out, we recommend emailing us at munch@fryingpanadventures.com so we can let you know in case any spots open up for your preferred date and time.
What are the change policies on my booking?
Please review our cancellation policies under our Terms and Conditions here.
Do I need to tip?
Gratuities are always appreciated but are not mandatory.
Please note that our tour routes and featured stops, including restaurants and other establishments, are subject to change. These changes can occur due to unforeseen circumstances such as lack of availability, closures or operational adjustments at any of our planned locations. In the event of such changes, our team will adapt the tour to offer a comparable experience. However, we do not offer refunds due to these alterations, as they are beyond our control. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility, and are committed to ensuring you have a delightful and memorable experience with us.
Please click here for our complete list of terms and conditions.
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