Abu Dhabi Food Tour: Five-Course Emirati Tasting

Five plates of Emirati food, explained by someone who grew up eating them

A private three-hour food tour in Abu Dhabi where you taste five courses of traditional Emirati cuisine with a local guide who explains the ingredients and history of each dish. Hotel or port pickup is included, and vegetarian options are available on request. The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels.

The experience

Three hours covers five courses: lentil soup (a Bedouin staple made with red or yellow lentils and mild spices), rqaq (thin flatbread served with honey and cheese), machbos (spiced basmati rice with chicken or lamb, considered the signature main), camel burger (a modern take on meat that has fed Bedouin communities for centuries), and kunafa (crispy pastry layered with cheese or cream, soaked in syrup and topped with pistachios). Your Emirati guide walks you through the ingredients and the development of each dish, so you understand not just what you're tasting but why it matters to the culture.

The tour is private, which means the pace and the stops are yours alone. Hotel or port pickup is included, and coffee or tea comes with the meal. If you need a vegetarian version, let the operator know when you book.

What’s included

• Local guide in English.
• private tour.
• five-course food tasting with lentil soup, rqaq, machbos, camel burger and kunafa.
• coffee and tea.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tour by Emirati

Is this one for you?The tour runs three hours and involves tasting five courses seated with your guide, so it suits travelers who want to eat and learn without walking between multiple venues. If you prefer to move through different restaurants or markets across the city, a walking food tour would cover more ground.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What exactly is machbos, the main course on this tour?

Machbos is spiced basmati rice cooked with tender chicken or lamb, considered a signature dish in Emirati cuisine. It carries deep flavor from the spices and is one of the five courses you'll taste on the tour.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel or port pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price. The guide will collect you and return you at the end of the three hours.

Can I request vegetarian food on this tour?

Yes, vegetarian options are available. Let the operator know at the time of booking which dishes you'd like adapted, and they'll arrange it for you.

What is rqaq, and why is it part of Bedouin tradition?

Rqaq is a thin flatbread cooked on a hot griddle and served with honey and cheese. It reflects the Bedouin tradition of versatile bread making, where one simple dough could be prepared many ways depending on what was available.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and public transportation options are available nearby if needed.