Food tours and cooking classes in Dubai
Food experiences in Dubai come in three forms: guided walking tours with tasting stops, a sit-down Emirati meal with a local host, and hands-on cooking classes. The walking tours cover either modern Downtown or the old creekside districts, and the cultural meal takes place in a heritage house in Al Fahidi. None of the experiences listed includes hotel transfers.
At a glance
- Prices
- From AED 130 to AED 195, across 4 tours listed here
- Price range
- From AED 130 (Emirati cultural breakfast or brunch) to AED 680 (Top Chef Gourmet cooking class) per adult among the tours listed, checked 29 September 2026; the two walking food tours show prices in US dollars only and are not included
- Duration
- About 90 minutes for the cultural meal, 90 minutes to 4 hours for cooking classes, 3 to 3.5 hours for the Downtown food walk
- Where
- Downtown Dubai, Al Seef and the old souks, Al Fahidi, and Jumeirah Beach Road
- Children
- Free under 7 at the cultural meal; cooking classes for ages 6–12 and 13–17; Rayna says its street food walk is not ideal for children
- Transfers
- Not included on any of the experiences listed
We don’t sell tickets or tours. Prices and details come from the operators’ and venues’ own websites, with the date we checked them. How we work
Food experiences compared (prices checked on the operators' websites, 29 September 2026)
| Experience | Where | Format | Duration | From (adult) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirati cultural meal (SMCCU) | House 26, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood | Seated meal with an Emirati presenter and open questions | About 90 minutes | AED 130 (breakfast or brunch) to AED 160 (dinner) |
| Hands-on cooking class (Top Chef Cooking Studio) | Villa on Jumeirah Beach Road | Cook with a chef, then eat what you made | 90 minutes to 4 hours | AED 445 |
| Downtown food tour with Burj Khalifa (Secret Food Tours) | Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Souk Al Bahar | Small-group walk with six stops, up to eight guests | 3 to 3.5 hours | US dollars only |
| Heritage street food tour (Rayna Tours) | Al Seef, abra across the creek, Spice Souk | Evening walk with street snacks and a dining stop | Starts 5pm; length not stated | US dollars only |
What to expect
On a walking tour a guide leads a small group between tasting stops and explains the area as you go. The Downtown food tour starts in the lobby of the Armani Hotel Dubai, goes up to level 122 of Burj Khalifa for canapés and a mocktail, then moves through Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar for dishes such as hummus and chicken machboos, finishing with Emirati coffee and dates. The heritage street food tour begins at 5pm in Al Seef with shawarma, falafel and date chocolate, crosses Dubai Creek by abra and ends in the Spice Souk.
The Emirati cultural meal is a seated meal of traditional food in Al Fahidi. An Emirati presenter talks about local culture, values and the influence of Islam on daily life, and answers questions from the table.
How to choose
- You want to understand local life: the cultural meal is the only experience here led by an Emirati host. Choose breakfast, brunch, lunch, fuala (Emirati tea time) or Tuesday dinner.
- You want modern Dubai and a view: the Downtown walk includes Burj Khalifa and a view of the fountain show, with groups of up to eight.
- You want old Dubai and street food: the Al Seef walk covers the creek, an abra ride and the souks in one evening.
- You want to cook: Top Chef Cooking Studio runs classes from the 90-minute, two-course Chef To Be (AED 445) to world cuisine, pasta, BBQ, bread and pastry. You eat your dishes in the studio dining room afterwards.
- You are travelling with children: the cultural meal is free for under-7s and AED 65 to AED 80 for ages 7 to 12. Top Chef runs Mini Chef classes for ages 6 to 12 at AED 195 and a class for one parent and one child aged 5 or over.
Practical tips
- Book ahead. The cultural meal requires a booking, and Top Chef asks you to call or email to confirm any class booked less than 48 hours before.
- Check the day. Cultural breakfasts run on Mondays and Wednesdays, brunch Friday to Sunday, lunch Monday to Thursday, and dinner only on Tuesdays; in Ramadan the dinner becomes an iftar.
- Dress for the venues. Secret Food Tours does not allow full tracksuits or flip-flops because of venue dress codes.
- For the Al Seef walk, arrive 15 to 20 minutes early outside the Al Seef Heritage Hotel with ID, and leave heavy bags behind.
- The Downtown tour runs at 5:30pm Monday to Saturday, with an extra 11am tour on Sunday.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food experience cost in Dubai?
Among the experiences priced in dirhams, an Emirati cultural meal costs AED 130 to AED 160 per adult and a cooking class AED 445 to AED 680, checked on 29 September 2026. The Downtown and Al Seef walking food tours show prices in US dollars only.
Where can I try Emirati food with a local host?
The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding serves traditional Emirati meals at House 26 in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, with an Emirati presenter who takes questions.
Is there a food tour in old Dubai?
Yes. Rayna Tours runs an evening street food walk that starts at Al Seef at 5pm, crosses Dubai Creek by abra and finishes in the Spice Souk.
Are there cooking classes for children?
Yes. Top Chef Cooking Studio runs Mini Chef classes for ages 6 to 12 (AED 195), Budding Chef for ages 13 to 17 (AED 250) and a class for one adult and one child aged 5 or over (AED 550).