Local Emirati House Experience (Tour by Emirati)

The Local Emirati House Experience is offered by Tour by Emirati and takes visitors into a private Emirati home in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an evening of conversation and home cooking. The home location is confirmed with the host after booking through the operator's page at tourbyemirati.rezdy.com, so the neighbourhood is not published in advance. The visit lasts about four hours and is built around two parts. The first is a majlis conversation, the traditional Emirati sitting room where hosts receive guests, serve Arabic coffee and discuss family life, customs, religion and everyday culture with visitors who want to ask questions. The second is an Emirati dinner served on the floor in the traditional way, which gives visitors a direct look at how meals are shared in a local household. The food is home cooking rather than restaurant fare, and the meal is the main culinary component, so the tour is a savoury dinner experience more than a multi-stop tasting route. The price is AED 624 per person, equivalent to about $170, and it includes the host's time, the majlis conversation and the dinner. Transport to the home is not described as included, so visitors should confirm pick-up or meeting arrangements when booking. The group is small and private, which keeps the atmosphere conversational rather than staged. Dress should be comfortable and covered, in keeping with the household setting and local etiquette. Dietary needs, allergies and any preferences about food should be raised at booking so that the host can plan the menu. Visitors typically sit on the floor for the meal, so those with limited mobility should ask the operator about seating before reserving. October to April offers the most comfortable weather for travelling to and from the home, although the experience itself takes place indoors and runs through the summer as well.