Food has this incredible magical power of bringing people from across the globe together and celebrating the culture of different nations. We all know how mesmerizing a place the UAE is as well. When we combine these two elements, you get a firework of culinary delights at your fingertips. Exploring a nation’s food is an excellent way to bring to the core of its culture and appreciate its rich history. So, if you plan to visit Dubai this holiday season, please sign up for a food tour experience!
What Exactly Are Food Tours?
Do you enjoy eating a lot and taking the time to learn about it? The finest thing you can do when visiting the UAE is go on a cuisine tour. It is precisely what it sounds like—a culinary extravaganza. The trip lets you sample and discover the many cuisines served at the top eateries in the United Arab Emirates. Numerous businesses provide tourists with food excursions, and the selection and breadth of each one varies according to the kind of tour you select. Generally speaking, there are two culinary tours: private and group. These tours vary from one to four hours in length. A food tour’s membership count and age range are also variable. Don’t worry; you may customize these aspects to your specifications, as most companies provide personalization.
What Can Be Expected From A Food Tour In The UAE?
You can expect to eat tons and tons of tasty food, now that’s for sure! More seriously, food tours are extremely professional events conducted by reputable companies. You can check out the websites of companies offering food tour services in the UAE and see for yourself. Although the specifications differ, some general things remain the same. The places you visit as a part of the food tours are nothing less than breathtaking. Most food tours include the iconic destinations and restaurants of Dubai, as well as the exotic and lesser-known locations and old souks. Places you never knew existed can be spotted during a food tour because the guides are the locals of the place who see these food joints pretty well. The best part is that you don’t have to get tired walking from one place to another, as these food tour companies provide transportation. You can enjoy the tour privately or as part of a larger group; that’s all up to you.
The Best Types Of Food Tours Available in the UAE
Although the packages and itinerary of the food tour change from company to company, here is a general overview of some of the awesome packages available in Dubai that you can think of participating in:
1. The 10 Tastings of Dubai With Locals
There is this unique food tour package a couple of companies in Dubai offer, where you will be taken to all the famous food hotspots of Dubai. The tour generally includes people from the age group 5 to 99 (now that’s pretty inclusive, right?). You get to have a taste of some of the more authentic dishes of Dubai, like camel milk dates and falafel. The duration of the tour is said to be 3 hours, and there might be options to take it privately. You get to visit the famous Textile Souk of Dubai and taste authentic food from the local street vendors. Most companies offer vegetarian alternatives, so make sure to have a chat with them if you are a vegetarian.
2. Burj Al Arab with Hotel InsideTour
Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Restaurant is one of the iconic food locations in Dubai, and there are food tours dedicated to this location alone. It is usually a group tour rather than a private one and might take 4 hours to complete. The best thing about this restaurant after its food is the architecture. If you love superhuman architectural designs and wonders, sign up for this tour already! There is a family buffet dining option available, along with dishes from other nations like the Asian lunch and the French dinner.
3. Dhow Cruise at Dubai Creek
This 1hr 30 30-minute tour of the best food locations in Dubai is extra special as it includes an international buffet dinner. There are official welcome drinks available here along with some other refreshments like tea and coffee. The tour passes through the Heritage Villages of Al Fahidi and Old Dubai. Original and authentic Emirati dishes are the next biggest highlights of the tour.
4. Luxury Dubai Canal Cruise
Now we are entering a bit more luxe area. This luxury food tour is available at most companies offering the service, especially during the time of the new year. You will be traveling in a Dhow Boat, and the food will be something sort of a five-star international buffet. The boat passes through exotic locations like the Festival City Mall, Burj Khalifa, and Walafar Bridge. You might also have options to take souvenir photos. All in all, this food tour screams luxury. If this is something you are looking forward to, then ask your tour operator to connect with the food tour companies immediately.
5. Hot Air Balloon Flight And Breakfast
Ooh, sounds fancy, huh! If a dow boat won’t do, then a hot air balloon will definitely do. You get an opportunity to taste excellent food and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Dubai all in one go. Now what can be more exciting than that? This is typically an event that lasts for an hour or so, and you will have one email while you are up there. Most probably, it will be a gourmet breakfast. Align with the food and refreshments, you get a chance to take part in events like camel rides and falconry.
6. Multiculture Cusine Food Tour
This is a private tour, mind you. It lasts for four hours, and you can attend nine tastings. The interesting part is the restaurant, which is named Pier 7. It consists of 7 different restaurants, each with its own set of food. It makes it easy to attend each of them as the proximity of the places is quite appealing. You get everything, including appetizers, the main course, and even the dessert, so you are pretty much sorted here.
Some Tips To Make The Most Of The Food Tours
Yeah, there are some tips that you can follow that will make your food trip even more exciting. The first tip is to eat light before the tour. You know you will be having some pretty tasty food the whole day during the trip. So, if you fill up on your breakfast and then set off on the tour, you might not be able to take full advantage of the trip. The second one is the most obvious, which is choosing the right food tour company, because if they are not good, then there is no guarantee your food tour will be memorable. Look for customer testimonials and reviews. Then, do some background research. Only after that should you decide on the company. The third and final tip is to keep an open mind throughout the whole trip. You are going to see some pretty exotic dishes, so make sure to try them rather than be apprehensive about them. It helps you open up to new experiences and learn a lot about the culinary culture of the UAE.
Bon Appetit!
Food is the best way to unite people and cherish the culture of a new location you plan to visit. An integral part of travelling is trying out different cuisines of the places. UAE is no different. The area is known for its exotic hotels and luxury restaurants. But it is also known for its authentic and traditional Arabic dishes like camel milk dates and falafel, which you can find in the old Souks. Going on a food tour is the most efficient way to get to know the best food joints in Dubai and experience them in the best way possible. Good luck, people, may the odds be ever in your favor so that you get to taste everything sweet and spicy in Dubai!
