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Dubai Souks Iftar Tour *NEW!*

  • AED472.50 • AED 4056+ Private groups
  • 4.5 hours
  • Al Ras and Bur Dubai

Join us in Dubai's old souks to witness a communal Iftar and a humble side of Ramadan in Dubai that many miss out on.

Stroll through Dubai’s historic souks this Ramadan, on a simple, honest journey into the parts of the city that still hold onto tradition.

A Communal ‘Pavement Iftar’

We start in the back alleys of the souks in Deira. Here, every evening, a big Iftar meal unfolds across the streets. It’s not about luxury; it’s about community. Over 2,500 people gather here daily during Ramadan to enjoy a taste of something that they can’t get anywhere else in the city. You’ll get a little taste of it too. But above all, you’ll feel the special atmosphere of community and sharing.

Strolling Through History

Then, we wander. The Spice Souk is our playground. We’ll hunt down a baker for something fresh and comforting. There’s also a fun game that’ll get you right into the heart of these aromatic alleys. It’s about connecting, not just with the spices, but with each other.

From Deira to Bur Dubai

Riding an abra across the creek is a slice of Dubai’s history. On the other side, we sit down for a traditional Yemeni meal that will not feature mainstream mandi that everyone already knows. Think meat stew and layered bread. And a really childish mash-up dessert. Vegetarians, we’ve got you covered too.

More Than Just Food

This walk isn’t just about eating. It’s about feeling the warmth of a cup of chai as the sun sets, seeing the colors of the souks, and hearing about traditions and stories that most people never do. Like the one about this stuffed bread we love – it contains something native to the Levant, but whose harvest is banned in some areas. We’ll tell you why when we meet.

Why Walk With Us?

We’re not about the glitz of modern Dubai. This walk is for those who want to peel back the layers, to find something real. We’re locals who grew up here, who know these streets and their stories, ready to share them with you. We’re here to walk you through a different side of Dubai this Ramadan.

Our group sizes are small for this one, on average 8 to 10 people. And tickets fly fast. Don’t miss out, book early.

Selected weekdays of Ramadan. Grab tickets from our online calendar or contact us with your preferred dates.
Dates, light snacks and chai for iftar; 1 bakery stop and 1 sit-down meal. Unlimited still water.
Carry earphones for the audio system used by our guide.
Minimum age of 8 years recommended. If your child is younger than 8 years, please reach out to us before booking.
Lots of walking! Actual distance covered is ~3km/ 1.9mi with stops in between.
Not recommended for anyone with serious gluten intolerances. Please notify us of severe allergies.
The tour requires a minimum of 4 guests; we may cancel and refund tickets if the minimum is not met.
Dress comfortably to walk.

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.

Meet & Greet
Meet our friendly tour guide inside Al Ras metro, Exit 1.

Neighborhood Stroll & Ramadan Q&A
We stroll through the old, atmospheric alleys of Al Ras to collect light snacks for our Iftar. This is the perfect time to ask our guide questions about the Holy Month and she’ll volunteer her own tidbits too!

Mosque at Sunset
We witness how the men in the local community prepare to break their fast by the mosque. As the sun sets, we’ll sample dates, crunchy samosas (V), fruit, chai and the specialty (M) served on this ‘pavement iftar.’ Modest attire (shoulders and legs covered) is encouraged for this part of the experience!

Visit a Streetside Bakery
Sink your teeth into a piping hot cheese and za’atar pastry (G/D) made in a closet-sized bakery that flips out staggering stacks of bread for the neighborhood community. Dairy-free option available.

Spice Souk Game
Engage in an enticing game at the spice souk that promises to tantalize your senses and test your spice knowledge – expect the unexpected!

Abra Ride across Deira Creek 
Experience Dubai’s historic waterway with a scenic abra boat ride across the Deira creek, a tradition woven into the city’s fabric.

Communal Yemeni Dinner
Relax and connect over a communal Yemeni meal featuring a meaty rice pilaf (P/M), beef (M) or veg stew and flaky Yemeni bread (G). Wash it down with refreshing hibiscus tea and finish off with a childish sweet treat from Yemen. Vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

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.

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 an AED 35 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. Once rescheduled, a flex ticket will become non-refundable/non-reschedulable.

  • Non-refundable option: AED 472.50 *Early bird AED 425.25 only on 1st 10 tickets sold!
  • Flex option: AED 519.75 *Early bird AED 467.80 only on 1st 10 tickets sold!

Private Tour:

For this tour, we recommend groups of about 10 people for the best experience. Got a larger group? We’re happy to discuss options with you to make this memorable.

Rates per private group based on group size below:

6 guests or fewer – AED 4056
7 guests – AED 4484
8 guests – AED 4982
9 guests – AED 5480
10 guests – AED 5893
11 guests – AED 6382
12 guests – AED 6871
13 guests – AED 7443
14 guests – AED 8017

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.

Can I book this tour out as a private experience?

Yes we’d love to serve you and your group privately! This tour makes for an unforgettable bonding experience during one of the most spiritual times of the year, and it’s a humble, cultural change from the modern day interpretation of Iftar (aka fancy hotel buffets).

For this tour, we recommend groups of about 10 people for the best experience. Got a larger group? We’re happy to discuss options with you to make this memorable.

If you’d like to book this tour out privately, please fill out this form and we’ll get in touch with you within 48 hours.

Rates per private group based on group size below:

6 guests or fewer – AED 4056
7 guests – AED 4484
8 guests – AED 4982
9 guests – AED 5480
10 guests – AED 5893
11 guests – AED 6382
12 guests – AED 6871
13 guests – AED 7443
14 guests – AED 8017

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.
  • 3 light snacks in the souks, including Iftar (veg options available)
  • Chai or dairy-free black tea (tea bag), hibiscus juice, unlimited still water.
  • Fun game in the spice souk
  • Abra (boat) ride
  • Yemeni sit-down dinner (veg and gluten-free options available)

Exclusions:

  • Transport to/from the tour
  • Earphones to connect to our guide’s audio system so you can hear her clearly while walking/in noisy areas (unless purchased at time of booking or on the tour)
  • Sparkling water or beverages other than what is mentioned under Inclusions
  • We meet right by the exit upstairs at Al Ras Metro, Exit 1. GPS link here.
  • Our guide will be wearing a t-shirt which says “Keep Calm – I’m Your Food Tour Guide.” It looks like this.

Reaching on Time

  • We start promptly on time! Details on what to do if you’re running late below.
  • 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. We recommend taking the Al Ras metro and walking down to the starting point at the Spice Souk.
  • If you plan to take a taxi, please budget extra time for traffic on the roads especially between 5PM and 7PM.
  • Those coming from Barsha, Marina, Palm Jumeirah and other locations further away from the tour point should plan for traffic delays and leave for the tour accordingly. We recommend speaking with your concierge or checking Google Maps (use the “Arrive by” feature to estimate traffic based on the tour meeting time).

Running Late?

  • If you’re running late, just WhatsApp your guide on the number provided in your confirmation email. She’ll share the first stop’s location and a GPS link. Keep in mind, responses might be delayed once the tour starts, but we’ll guide you to join us as soon as possible.
  • In case you arrive after the tour has begun, please make your way to the group. Our guide might not be reachable by phone during the tour, and we appreciate your understanding that latecomers are responsible for catching up with the group. While late arrivals might miss some food and information, rest assured, we’ll do our best to ensure you enjoy the remaining part of the tour.
  • For private groups, please note that a delay of up to 20 minutes can be accommodated. However, if the group is more than 20 minutes late, the tour may be shortened or cancelled without refund or rescheduling options. Your punctuality helps us provide a great experience for everyone.

Here’s What Past Guests on This Tour Are Saying

How much does the tour cost?

The tour costs AED 472.50 per person including all the food ordered by our guide. Private group rates start at AED 4,056 and go upwards based on the group size.

Should I join this tour if I am vegetarian?

Yes. Every stop has veggie-friendly options.

Should I join this tour if I am gluten-intolerant?

While the main meal will have a rice dish, the snacks predominantly contain gluten. Moreover most of the smaller places we feature cannot guarantee against the risk of cross-contamination. If your intolerance or allergy is severe, we don’t recommend joining the tour (much as we’d love to serve you!)

How do I get to the tour?

We recommend taking the metro to our meeting point, Al Ras Metro station, which is along the green line.

Do we only walk around and sample food?

No, they’re so much more than just eating. 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 at selected stops – however we do recommend using a restroom before arriving at the tour as we will start promptly on time. There is a restroom inside the Al Ras metro (you would need a metro card to access it).

Is the tour offered in different languages?

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. This experience sells out quickly! 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 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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