If you are looking for an authentic cultural experience, talk to Arva - We found Arva and Frying Pan Adventures online using YouTube. We have two teenage daughters and we really wanted to offer them an authentic experience on our first visit to Dubai. We were not familiar with the city and felt a guided, private tour could provide a broader experience for us. Arva grew up in the area and knew every alley, many of the vendors, but most importantly - knows the history. The walk is very well thought out - is held at dusk going into evening - and offered great local eats along the way. Arva - I am sure you are reading this at some point - we felt a strong connection with you. By the time we finished the tour with a fantastic dinner at a local restaurant across the river, we felt we made a friend in Dubai. And Katie was assisting her on this walk - and she is just as adept with her historical and culinary knowledge. If you are looking to really learn about what the Souks are, who are the people that run these businesses and why - in addition to eating some unique local foods, you should not go it alone (although you could - the people are amazing); I highly recommend Arva and we plan to reach out to her again when we visit Dubai next. One final note. Stating the obvious - it is hot in Dubai. And on our walk it was a particularly humid day. For some, that could have derailed the whole excursion, especially with two teen-age girls. We walked for 3 hours and 20 minutes. Arva was very attentive on safety - ensuring we had "cool downs" where we could, ensuring there was access to cold water and ice throughout. We love Arva! And cannot wait to see you again Arva!!!!

Tour of plenty! - We did this tour in July and was able to endure the heat. Arva was a generous tour guide who made it lively interactive and full of food! You will not go hungry and will learn a lot about the history of Dubai as well. Highly recommend this!

Must Do if you are a foodie or want to learn about the secrets of Dubai - This is a MUST DO when you are in Dubai. Arva will take you on an adventure that will be unforgettable. Learn about the history of Dubai, discover the secret alley ways and learn about the culture and people of Dubai in this tour while enjoying delicious foods that you would not normally taste while visiting Dubai. Arva is a great hostess and so knowledgeable and super friendly. You will enjoy the boat ride and a great dinner at the end of the tour.

Fantastic food tour! - Great tour. Explained history of Dubai and all the foods we sampled. Spent a lot of time at spice market explaining the spices. Tour ended with a good dinner. Highly recommend this tour.

Discover the essence of Dubai - This tour really does deserve every highly rated review. By far the best thing I have done so far on my short visit to Dubai. Arva guided us through the old town and showed us a side of the city that can only be experienced with a local. Not just the wonderful food but also the history, culture and warm hospitality.

Brilliant Tour - This was recommended to us by friends who had been on it and I am so glad that we were able to fit this in! We were held up getting to the meeting place but we had detailed messages confirming the name and location of the first restaurant so were easily able to catch up. Farida, our guide, talked to us about the history of the food that we were eating as well as the history of Dubai. It was fascinating to see photos of it in 1955 when it was all desert and then through Farida's lifetime, from the 1980's to now. It was a really informative tour, with very good food and I would definitely recommend it.

A must do food experience - A delicious and unique way to learn about Dubai history and culture through the amazing fusion of food tastes and cultures . Would highly recommend!

Getting to know Dubai better - Our group of 5 absolutely loved our tour.The food, the smells, the back alleys and the entire vibe was just amazing.Now I can finally call Dubai home after this amazing tour. Can’t wait for the next tour

Amazing Food Tour and Great Tour Guide - Arva is extremely knowledgeable and kept the group so engaged. Excellent food picks and amazing dinner to follow. A definite must do if you’re in Dubai.

A Great Way to Explore the City - Arva has masterfully curated a food tour like no other. We tasted flavors, explored alleyways that we had no idea existed in Dubai. We also learned a lot about the history of the UAE that explained much of what was on offer at the old souks. As a long-time resident of the city, I felt like I was discovering it for the first time.