Food during a Frying Pan Adventures food tour

Join our signature Dubai food tour featuring the best Palestinian falafels, Arabic baklava, traditional Iraqi dishes and more!

The Quick Take

Al Rigga, Deira.

3.5 hours. Usually offered in the evenings, post 4:30PM. Morning options available for private tours on select days.

Runs year-long, selected days of the week except Saturday. Limited options available during summer based on demand.

Minimum age required is 14 years. No infants and strollers.

Non-refundable option: AED 435
Flex option: AED 478.50
Private tours: AED 3,056+

The tour requires a minimum of 6 guests; we may cancel and refund tickets if the minimum is not met.

1 non-vegetarian main course (fish or lamb, based on group size), 1 vegetarian savory dish with mezze, 1 light meal (veg/non veg option), 1 dessert, traditional coffee with sweet cookies.

**May to Sept tours: Summer tours are shortened by one stop to reduce the walking and to make them more summer-friendly. An extra dish is ordered at our main course stop!

Walking only; distance covered is ~2.8km/1.7mi with stops in between.

Carry earphones for the audio system used by our guide.

Tastings include Gluten/Lactose/Dairy/Nuts. We do not recommend the tour for severe allergies.

Dress comfortably to walk.

The Juicy Bit

Discover Middle Eastern Flavors Where Old Timers Eat: A Walking Food Tour in Dubai

Dubai is brimming with Middle Eastern eateries, yet the real thrill lies in discovering spots that only the seasoned locals frequent. As long-time Dubai residents who’ve crafted food tours for over a decade, we don’t just guide tourists; we bring our own family and friends to these cherished spots when they visit.

This is our longest-running tour, the one that takes place in the same neighborhood where the founding sisters behind Frying Pan Adventures grew up and where they continue to live over 35 years later.

What Will You Experience?

Kick off with our neighborhood’s signature falafels, boasting a unique Gaza-inspired stuffing that you might just crave it forever—no exaggeration, just a fair warning!
Dive into the fun of making your own DIY falafel sandwich. Get hands-on with fresh ingredients and savor your creation.
Hit up our neighborhood shawarma hangout. Everyone in Dubai has their favorite, but we’ll let you in on ours. Swing by, take a bite, and play the judge in this ongoing local debate.
Discover Iraqi cuisine beyond the headlines, where ancient recipes meet the rich stories behind them.
Remember the thrill of a candy store? Recreate that feeling at our childhood baklava shop. It’s nostalgia wrapped in layers of phyllo and honey.
What’s a visit without sipping on Emirati coffee? Embrace the hospitality and learn what it means to ‘shake the cup.’

More Than Just Tasting

At Frying Pan Adventures, we’re not just tour guides; we’re your foodie friends from the neighborhood. We’ve grown up here, and these streets are pages of our shared history. Join us for more than a meal—join us for stories, smiles, and maybe a new favorite dish.

Why Join This Walking Food Tour?

This tour isn’t just about savoring bites; it’s an insider’s pass to the places that embody the history and flavors of Dubai’s Middle Eastern community.

Don’t just eat—explore with us. Because life’s too short for ordinary falafel.

Limited Spots Available

Due to the intimate nature of this experience and its popularity, spots fill up quickly. To avoid missing out on this unique adventure, we recommend booking early—especially during peak season. Join us for a memorable journey in a neighborhood that’s nostalgic for many Dubai locals!

**May to Sept tours: Summer tours are shortened by one tasting to reduce the walking and to make them more summer-friendly. An extra dish is ordered at our main course stop instead!

Meet & Greet
Meet our friendly food tour guide steps away from the Al Rigga Metro station in Deira (on the Diva Gents Salon side of the road).

Corner Falafel Cafeteria
Design your own falafel sandwich using delicious ‘stuffed’ falafels and all the trimmings: hummus, fried eggplant and cauliflower, three kinds of sauces and pickles.

Palestinian-Jordanian Restaurant
Sample a sweet cheese pastry made just for us, fresh off the fire. This decadent pie is topped with crunchy noodles and pistachios. (G/N/D)

Syrian Restaurant
Visit a popular Syrian eatery for a popular street-style sandwich and for our vegetarian guests, we’ll bring out freshly baked za’atar and cheese flatbreads.
**May to Sept tours: This stop is not featured during the summer to reduce the walking and to make them more summer-friendly. An extra dish is ordered at our main course stop instead!

Iraqi Restaurant
Partake of ancient Iraqi culinary customs with a traditional wood-fire smoked Iraqi fish* (F) OR kebabs* (M).
*Food selection varies based on group size.

Lebanese Baklava Shop
Experience the timeless customs of local Arabic coffee or ‘gahwa’ with a pressed date cookie and pistachio ‘cookies and cream’. Mixed boxes of baklava and Arabic cookies also available for purchase. (G/N/D)

Arabic coffee and cream are not featured during Ramadan.

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:

Non-Refundable Ticket:
- AED 435 per person.
- This ticket cannot be changed or refunded for any reason once booked.
Flex Ticket:
- AED 478.50 per person.
- On public tours, this ticket may be:
  - (a) Rescheduled or
  - (b) Refunded minus a 35 AED cancellation fee per ticket, anytime up to an hour before the tour starts.

Can I book this tour out as a private experience?

Yes we’d love to serve you and your group privately!

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

All prices include 5% VAT, plus food and water ordered by the guide during the tour. Soft beverages are not included.

Refund/Rescheduling Policy on Private Tours:

21+ days before tour: Full refund or free rescheduling.
8-21 days before tour: Reschedule for a fee of 25% of the ticket price or 70% refund.
7 days or less before tour: No changes allowed.
Group size reduction: Same refund policy as above.
Only one reschedule is allowed per private group booking, subject to availability.

Refunds for bookings using gift cards or gifted tickets will be credited back to the original gift card or ticket.

For Children in Private Tour Groups:

Recommended for children 14+, but younger children can join if parents/guardians feel they can manage.
Children 4+ are counted as regular guests; children under 4 are free.
Discounts are available for children aged 4-8, offered during online booking.
No diaper changing facilities on the tour

All prices below include 5% VAT and all the food and still water that the guide orders for the group on the tour. Soft beverages are not included.

Inclusions:

Friendly, passionate and knowledgeable tour guide who has grown up in Dubai. Licensed by Dubai Tourism.
All food tastings, including:
- 1 non-vegetarian main course (fish or lamb, depending on group size).
- 1 vegetarian savory dish with mezze.
- 1 light meal (with veg/non-veg options).
- 1 dessert.
- Traditional coffee with sweet cookies.
- Note: For tours from May to September, one stop is removed to reduce walking and make the experience more summer-friendly. An extra dish is served at our main course stop!
Unlimited still water.

Exclusions:

Transport to/from the tour.
Earphones required to connect with the guide’s live audio system (not a pre-recording!) These can also be purchased at the time of booking or on the tour itself.
Souvenirs purchased on the tour.
Sparkling water or beverages other than what is mentioned under “Inclusions” section, unless the soft beverage package is purchased.

We’ll gather outside Diva Gents Salon in Deira (please note: this is not the Satwa branch). The meeting point is conveniently located just outside Al Rigga Metro Exit #2 on Al Rigga Road. To ensure we can start on time, please arrive promptly—our tours begin right on schedule!

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Nearby metro: Al Rigga.

Tips:

Given the heavy traffic, limited parking and different starting and 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.
Don’t forget to bring a hat or sunscreen for sunny days!

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 2 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?

The main course on our Middle Eastern tour is non-vegetarian: fish/lamb. That said, we have had vegetarian guests join in the past and they have often walked away from the tour quite full and sated. While there are no vegetarian substitutes for the meat dishes, the falafels, dips and desserts are all vegetarian-friendly.

How do I get to the tour?

We recommend taking the Al Rigga metro to the tour meeting point. The metro may or may still be operational once the tour is complete, depending on the time.

If you plan to take a taxi, please budget extra time for traffic on the roads especially between 5PM and 7PM.

If you plan to drive, please know that streetside parking is available but sometimes challenging to find. Please also note that our starting point and ending point on this tour are about a 15 minute walk away from each other.

Do we only walk around and sample food?

Our walking food tours are immersive experiences that go beyond eating. We 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 cash (local AED currency) or your 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 at most stops on this tour.

Is the tour offered in different languages?

At this time, the tour is only offered in English.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

We regret that this tour is not wheelchair accessible.

Are children allowed?

Please note the minimum age requirement for this tour is 14 years of age. All children must be accompanied by their legal guardian.

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 signing up on our waitlist here.

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 review the following terms and conditions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience on our tours.

Tour Routes & Stops:
Our tour routes and featured stops, including restaurants and other establishments, are subject to change.

Unforeseen Circumstances:
Changes may occur due to unforeseen circumstances such as lack of availability, closures, or operational adjustments at any of our planned locations.

Adaptation of Experience:
In the event of such changes, our team will adapt the tour to offer a comparable experience.

No Refunds for Changes:
Please note that we do not offer refunds due to these alterations, as they are beyond our control.

Commitment to Excellence:
We appreciate your understanding and flexibility. Rest assured, we are committed to ensuring you have a delightful and memorable experience with us.

Please click here for our complete list of terms and conditions.

Middle Eastern Food Pilgrimage