The UAE is an exciting destination for food lovers, particularly Dubai which is a global hub for gastronomy. Visitors to the emirates can explore a range of cuisine from virtually every part of the globe, as expatriates bring a taste of their home country to cafes, restaurants and pop-up food stalls.

Airbnb Experiences is part of Airbnb’s growing platform of services, designed to show guests a different side to the city they visit. They are one-of-a-kind activities designed and hosted by locals. Unlike a typical tour or workshop, experiences go beyond the activities themselves. They offer a deep-dive into the local host’s world through their passion. Hosts offer their guests special knowledge, unique skills, and inside access to local places and communities that guests couldn’t find on their own, creating lasting connections and treasured memories.

Ever since Airbnb experiences have become available in the UAE local and visitors alike have embraced the opportunity to see a different side of the cities that have a reputation for being luxurious and glitzy, but not necessarily easily accessible to strangers who want to go deeper. Turns out, food is an excellent (if not entirely surprising) vehicle to get to know the city and its residents and connect people, no matter what their background.

To celebrate Dubai Food Festival, which takes place between February 21 and March 9, Airbnb hosts showcase the deliciousness the emirates have to offer:

Pri Zielinski is one of the most established Airbnb Experience hosts in Dubai and offers the very popular ‘Dubai By Foot’ food tours:

“Each area of the city provides exciting tastes, sights and sounds. To experience the most traditional Emirati food, I’d suggest exploring Old Dubai and Dubai Creek. For hundreds of years, it has been home to traders, who would traditionally have swapped local products such as pearls in exchange for incredible spices and fresh produce from all over Arabia, Africa, India and the Far East. While the types of trade have subtly changed as Dubai has globalised, the flavours remain in hidden gems across the old heart of the city.”

To experience the most original areas, Pri hosts the Flavors of Arabia – Emirati Food Walk.

For those inspired to find out more about Dubai’s food hotspots, Airbnb has highlighted some of the top five areas to stay and explore a melting pot of cultures, ingredients and cuisines.

Old Dubai, Bur Dubai and Dubai Creek

Uncover Dubai’s best hidden secret with budget-friendly venues this Dubai Food Festival is through Hidden Gems in collaboration with Zomato – with special menus for up to AED 35. Diners will have the chance to vote for one of 40 shortlisted restaurants and cafes, each of which will serve a meal for Dh35 per person. With a range of local properties on the Airbnb platform, food fans can stay in the heart of the action.

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is home to a host of new wave restaurants, started by creative individuals and culinary entrepreneurs. Big name chefs such as Gary Rhodes, Jason Atherton and Simon Rimmer, have brought concepts that have been big hits in Europe to the doorsteps of Dubai residents and its many global visitors. While it may not be authentic Emirati cuisine, in an area packed full of expatriates, the Marina offers a different perspective on what it is like to live in Dubai.

Jumeirah

Every year during the Dubai Food Festival, foodies can stay in areas around sunset beach to discover the highlight event of the Dubai Food Festival “Swyp Beach Canteen”. With free entry , the event features the best home-grown and street food concepts from around the world in addition to live entertainment including a yoga event! Head to Jumeirah Beach behind Sunset Mall for an open air activity to enjoy until March 9.

DIFC

If you are dreaming about experiencing fine-dining, here is your chance! Airbnb offers a more practical way to stay in this elite area and access the fine-dining and authentic food experiences offered throughout the year. Food lovers can enjoy great value deals from Dubai Restaurant Week which offers gourmet set menus at the city’s best restaurants.

Sheikh Zayed Road

If you can’t decide where to stay, you can always stay in a property along the conveniently located Sheikh Zayed Road, including near to one of the many metro stations. Take a metro and you can easily reach all spots around Dubai, particularly during the annual Dubai Food Festival.