The 15 Food Experiences in the Middle East That Earn Their Price

1.Old Town, Creek, Museums, Souks, & Street Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 10,816 reviews · 2.5 - 4 hours · from $18Our pick

Walk through Al Seef, Al Fahidi, Bastakiya, and Bur Dubai with a local guide such as Hamza, Seef, or Ramadan. Taste Arabic coffee, dates, juice, shawarma, and falafel on selected options, then cross Dubai Creek by abra and visit the Spice and Gold Souks. Expect steady walking, cultural stories, shopping tips, and several rest stops.

“Had a great tour of the old town with Hamza! He was an excellent guide who brought lots of energy, enthusiasm, and humour. Would recommend to anyone visiting the city. I got much more out of our visit to the old town thanks to him.”

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2.Old Town, Souks, Street Food, Guided Tour & Abra Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 7,170 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $9

Walk Al Fahidi with a live guide, visit Al Khayma Heritage House for Arabic coffee and dates, sample extra street food with the Premium option, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to the Spice and Gold Souks. Guides such as Ahmed, Khan, Zee, and Hossam are praised for clear cultural stories and practical souk advice.

“Our guide was fabulous and explained everything with detail. Excellent all around morning tour around the old town.”

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3.Old Town, Souks, Street Food, Guided Tour & Abra Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,664 reviews · from $17Top rated

Spend 3 to 4 hours with a guide in Al Fahidi, starting with Arabic coffee, dates, and heritage-house stories before walking through Al Seef, crossing Dubai Creek by abra, and ending at the Spice and Gold Souks. Guides such as Khan, Maaz Khan, and Abdul are praised for clear history and helpful bargaining tips. Premium food choices vary by booking option.

“Khan was the best part of the tour, great patience and answered all questions about, history, religion, commerce you name it he was very engaged with us all. Souls are amazing Definetly see this side of Dubai”

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4.Old Town, Street Food, Creek, Souks, & Emirati House

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,496 reviews · 3 hours · from $6Best value

Spend three hours with a live guide such as Khan, Fesal, Ahmed, or Nasser in Old Dubai. Walk Al Fahidi and Al Seef, visit a heritage house, taste dates, Arabic coffee, karak tea, and samosas, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to the Spice and Gold Souks.

“Thoroughly enjoyed this tour, having seen all the highlights in new Dubai it was lovely to then see where it all began. Khattab was a fantastic tour guide, very personable and full of knowledge. The tour was great value with all the inclusions along the way, and the 3 hours flew by, all at a very manageable pace. Would highly recommend.”

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5.Old Dubai: Premium Guided Tour with Street Food & Abra Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 416 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $31

Spend three to four hours with a live guide in Old Dubai, beginning near Al Seef and Al Fahidi. Sample karak tea, samosas, shawarma, falafel, luqaimat, camel milk ice cream, and more, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to the Spice and Gold Souks. Guides may include Maaz Khan, Fesal, Ibrahim, or Zee, depending on your departure.

“Such a lovely experience learning about the old parts of Dubai, and the guide was super friendly and helpful!”

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6.Dubai Top Highlights: Frame Entry, Souks, Abra & Street Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 344 reviews · from $65

This full-day Dubai tour links the Blue Mosque, Souk Madinat, Palm Jumeirah, Bluewaters Island, Old Dubai, the Gold and Spice Souks, and Dubai Creek. You’ll ride an abra, try shawarma, falafel, samosa, luqaimat, and camel milk chocolate, with hotel pickup, a guide, and an air-conditioned vehicle included. Frame and Burj Khalifa access depend on the option selected.

“Really enjoyed the trip, was a great way to see all the top highlights of Dubai especially if your time is limited. Ziad was a great guide, knew lots about Dubai history and culture. Was a fun day, would recommend!”

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7.Premium Old Town, Street Food, Souks & Boat Ride Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 262 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $37

Start at Al Seef and walk through Al Fahidi, heritage houses, and Al Souq Al Kabeer before crossing Dubai Creek by abra. You’ll taste shawarma or falafel, fresh juice, Arabic coffee, and dates, then browse the Spice and Gold Souks. Guides such as Hamza, Seef, Francis, and Islam are known for clear history and practical bargaining tips.

“Hassan was a very hospitable guide. He was generous with his knowledge of Dubai's history, its economics and multiple cultures, and other interests. All was presented with a lively sense of humour. The pace was relaxed but always fluid. We had plenty of time to explore and soak in the sites and the information. The small group size was very nice, so we all had time to ask questions, and Hassan had time to explain. The food and drinks were a perfect balance and came at the right times. Thank you, Hassan, for the lovely afternoon.”

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8.City Highlights Tour with Blue Mosque & Street Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 247 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $46

This five to six-hour Dubai tour links modern icons with Old Dubai. You ride in an air-conditioned van, visit the Ottoman-inspired Blue Mosque, cross Dubai Creek by abra, taste a street-food snack, and browse the Gold and Spice Souks. Guides such as Francis, Ramadan, Hamza, and Adham are known for lively explanations and helpful photo tips.

“Francis was an awesome guide, so helpful and explainong everything so we'll. Every part of the tour was awesome, especially because Francis was such an easy going person”

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9.Amman Walking Tour: Hidden Gems, Culture & Street Food

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 241 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $66

Meet Hussein or another Arabic- and English-speaking guide at Gate 1 of Abdali Mall for a 3 to 4 hour introduction to Amman. Visit King Abdullah I Mosque, Jebel Al-Weibdeh, downtown markets, local food shops, and the Roman Theatre. Expect plenty of walking, stairs, coffee, Jordanian snacks, and practical city advice.

“Hussein is the best and most honest tour guide i have had. I was a solo traveller, and he treated me like his brother or friend. It was a great experience. We visited many sites and hidden restaurants and gems in Jordan, places that I would not find on google. It was all done in a reasonable time and I felt like i experienced all of Amman. Hussein is wonderful!”

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10.Dubai.Discover Old town,Markets,street food,Abra &Museums

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 181 reviews · from $19

Walk Al Seef and Dubai’s old neighborhoods with guides such as Abdulla, Hichem, or Tarek. Taste Arabic coffee, street food, camel milk chocolate, and spices, then cross Dubai Creek by abra before browsing the gold souq. Hotel pickup is optional, but return transport is not included.

“Definitely worth booking! It was a great way to explore this area. Our guide was Hichem Azzem, he was knowledgeable and looked after us well, and we had a great time.”

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11.Culture, History, Tradition & Food Day or Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · from $61

Meet Majd outside Flour & Fire bakery on Rainbow Street for a flexible walk through Jabal Amman and downtown. Taste falafel, kunafa, bread, sweets, spices, and drinks while visiting markets, local shops, cultural spots, and the Roman Amphitheater. Tours run by day or evening in English or Arabic.

“I had a fantastic experience on this walking tour in Amman. The crew was incredibly friendly, making everyone feel welcome from the start. What stood out most was the flexibility of the tour—our guide adapted the schedule based on our interests, which made the experience feel personal and engaging. There was also an openness to discussion, allowing us to dive into not just the history, but also the deep cultural and political context of Jordan. It felt more like an insightful conversation than a typical tour. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a deeper, more thoughtful exploration of Amman.Read more”

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12.Luxury Sightseeing Cruise with Food and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 117 reviews · 2 hours · from $55

Spend two hours aboard Calypso with an Italian captain and crew, sailing from Dubai Marina past Ain Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, and possibly Atlantis. Choose the open sky deck or air-conditioned saloon, enjoy BBQ bites, fruit, sweets, and unlimited soft drinks, then return to Pier 7.

“The view in the evening was beautiful. Food was nice and the whole crew very helpful. Thank you.”

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13.Old Town Walking Tour with Abra Cruise & Street Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 71 reviews · from $26

Walk through Al Fahidi with a local guide, see old homes, the mosque, wall remains, Dubai Museum, textile, gold, and spice souks, then cross Dubai Creek by abra. Arabic coffee, street food, water, and camel milk chocolate are included. Muhammad Bilal and Abdulla are among the guides.

“My guide was fantastic. Great insights into history, culture. Also gave great advice for shopping in the Souks.”

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14.Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 61 reviews · 3 hours · from $168

Meet your English-speaking host at Al Ras Metro Station for three hours of local food, drinks, and Old Dubai sights. Expect 10 tastings, including classics such as dates and falafel, with possible stops at the Spice Souk, Textile Souk, Indian Temple Street, and nearby eateries. Vegetarian alternatives are available.

“The guide Ali was very kind and courteous. They talked about Dubai's history, royal family and culture, and I was able to get to know the area deeply. "They took me to many restaurants, and I could eat a lot of local food, so I was very satisfied."”

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15.Bahrain: Must Try Food Tour – (Manama Souq)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 55 reviews · 3 hours · from $87

Meet your guide in pink beneath Bab Al Bahrain for a three-hour walk through Manama Souq. Expect local drinks, generous tastings, history from 5500 BC onward, and stops chosen by Bahraini guides such as Yusuf, Jasim, Ahmed, and Sharifa. Food, water, and cultural guidance are included.

“Fantastic tour - so much great and unique food. This is the second time I’ve taken the tour with friends and colleagues and it has been above expectations each time. I’ve lived in the region for several years and didn’t expect to be surprised by the food and history given by our tour guide, Yusf. Now, I have a completely different view of the souq and a deeper appreciation for the culture.”

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