In one of the old courtyards of Deira, the sisters Arwa and Farida Ahmed had for more than ten years been leading guests through narrow alleys where the air is steeped in the scents of spices from Souk Al Bahar and fresh bread from small bakeries. The last Frying Pan Adventures tours will take place from October to December 2026 — after that, the company founded in 2013 will cease operations.
The decision had been maturing for a long time: the difficulties of scaling a small business, the quiet summer months and the search for people capable of carrying on the work. Over the years, the tours became for many the first genuine introduction to the layered cuisine of Old Dubai — from Iranian bread to Nepalese momo.
At the same time, another trend is gaining strength in the city: restaurants are turning away from ostentatious luxury in favour of simplicity and authenticity. At Pepperoni Club, inspired by American diners, the interiors are minimalist, and the focus is on the quality of ingredients and warm conversation. In Al Barsha 88 Hong Kong serves familiar Chinese food without unnecessary ceremony, while at the Barrafina counter guests choose their own tapas and strike up conversations with the chefs.
In September 2026, Bonci opened at Chef's Society in City Centre Mirdif — a project by the Roman chef Gabriele Bonci, who is called "the Michelangelo of pizza." Here they serve Roman pizza al taglio: rectangular flatbreads from large trays are cut with scissors and portions are weighed. The long-fermented dough, the emphasis on regenerative farming and simple toppings — aubergine, potato, onion — allow you to taste the dough and the ingredients themselves rather than the sauces.
These changes reflect the maturity of Dubai's gastronomy: after a period of bright concepts and high-profile openings, demand is growing for places where the food speaks for itself and the atmosphere requires no particular dress code. Small family projects face the challenges of growth, while major players bring authentic techniques from other countries.
The last Frying Pan Adventures tours can be booked on the company's website. Bonci's Roman pizza will be tasted in Mirdif, while for quiet luxury one should head to Pepperoni Club or 88 Hong Kong — places where taste and conversation are what matter most.
In Dubai, food is increasingly becoming not an event but a continuation of the city's everyday life, where traditions and new influences meet at one table.
