Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 175 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai worth booking?
Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai is a 1.5-hour experience in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from $65 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 175 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (175)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $65 per person
Enjoy an Authentic Emirati Meal and Cultural Talk in the one of the oldest areas of Dubai, Al Fahidi Al Bastakiya Historical District in our traditional wind tower courtyard. The Meal starts with Arabic Coffee and Dates
What you get
- Q & A Session with experienced guide about local culture and traditions
- Visit includes Authentic Emirati cuisine
- Water, Arabic coffee. tea and dates and served
About this experience
Enjoy an Authentic Emirati Meal and Cultural Talk in the one of the oldest areas of Dubai, Al Fahidi Al Bastakiya Historical District in our traditional wind tower courtyard. The Meal starts with Arabic Coffee and Dates and is followed by a selection of Emirati local dishes and desert featuring Ligamat and date syrup. After the meal your host or hostess will serve up tea and talk in our Landmark "Open doors. Open minds." cultural exchange. Guests are encouraged to ask questions about local culture and as our motto suggests, no question is off limits. The session concludes with an explanation of the local dress, and guests are welcome to volunteer to try on the attire.
What's included
Included
- Q & A Session with experienced guide about local culture and traditions
- Visit includes Authentic Emirati cuisine
- Water, Arabic coffee. tea and dates and served
Not included
- Transportation to/from attractions
What you'll see and do
Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Our cultural meals are hosted at the SMCCU in a traditional wind-tower house in the Al Fahidi neighbourhood, are an excellent opportunity to learn within an informal environment. The topics of discussion are generated by questions from the guests and lead by one of our cultural presenters. The programme is designed to be entertaining, educational and informative. Topics include Arabic culture, Islam and its impact on local culture, cultural values and sensitivities, important Arabic greetings and expressions as well as insightful anecdotes.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Dubai
Next to Al Seef
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Next to Al Seef
Options you can book
Cultural Breakfast
Join us for a traditional Emirati Meal & Talk at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in the ambiance of our windtower home in Old Dubai .
Cultural Lunch
Join us for a traditional Emirati Meal & Talk at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in the ambiance of our windtower home in Old Dubai .
Cultural Dinner
Join us for a traditional Emirati Meal & Talk at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding in the ambiance of our windtower home in Old Dubai .
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
- Group size
- Up to 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 175 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
175 verified traveler reviews for Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A must in Dubai!
It was our second tour with SMCCU and it was again a fantastic experience! Our guide Khamil was very friendly and knowledgable, answering a million of our questions. We've learned and seen so much during the tour, it makes us really excited to truly appreciate a new culture. Also Iftar with Noura and Abdalla was another fantastic experience! Can't recommend it enough!
via Tripadvisor
Lovable place
Amazing place to visit ww love it
via Tripadvisor
Best place to start your visit to the UAE!!
We had a really enriching and fun experience, learned a lot and we recommend it a 100% for everyone that wants to know the heart and soul of Dubai apart from the flashy city and buildings. Presenter Hamad was super friendly, knowledgeable and open to answer any questions! Had light trouble with the scheduling though, got rebooked a couple times , I recommend you really plan ahead your visit. If you really want to understand and explore the true culture of the UAE this is the place!!
via Tripadvisor
A well organised tour of history, culture, family, and society and their food of Dubai and UAE.
Informative experience about culture, food and way of life. A must see experience if you visit Dubai.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed discovering the history, culture, family traditions, and Emirati cuisine with us. At SMCCU, we believe that understanding culture begins with conversation, and we are proud to offer visitors a space to connect, ask questions, and experience the traditions of the UAE in an authentic setting. Your recommendation means a great deal to us, and we’re pleased we could contribute to your experience in Dubai.
via Tripadvisor
A trip down cultural lane
It was an amazing experience to learn about the culture and history of dubai, our tour guides made the tour even more special and welcoming. One thing that stood out was the dubai perfume stories
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your beautiful words 🤍 We’re truly delighted that you enjoyed learning about the culture and history of Dubai with us. It means a lot to know that our guides made the experience feel special and welcoming — creating that sense of warmth and connection is at the heart of what we do. We’re especially happy that the Dubai perfume stories stood out to you. Fragrance is such an important part of Emirati heritage, from oud and bukhoor to the personal memories attached to every scent — and we love sharing those stories with our guests. We hope to welcome you back again soon for more cultural discoveries ✨
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
- Price range
- $65 to $160
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 61
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Dubai.
How much does Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai cost?
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Prices start at $65 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Dubai usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Dubai is not rushed.
Is Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 175 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Dubai, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai?
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Around 61 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Dubai can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Dubai and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Authentic Emirati Cultural Meal and Talk in Old Dubai start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Dubai within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Dubai?
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On Outty we rank every Dubai experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Dubai Premium Red Dunes Safari, Camels & 5* BBQ at Al Khayma Camp, Dubai: Red Dunes Safari, Quad, Camel, Dune Bash, BBQ & Shows, Dubai Dune Buggy Safari Tour in Red Dunes Options. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Dubai?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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