Dallas-Fort Worth is about 8,000 miles away from the Emirates, but you don’t have to travel all that way to try the super trendy sweet Dubai chocolate now that it has found a home on menus and in stores across North Texas.
The original Dubai concoction is a chocolate bar filled with pistachio and tahini, along with kataifi, phyllo dough sliced into really small strands that adds a crunchy texture and is prevalent in desserts in the Middle East.
The dish first rose to popularity on social media platform TikTok about a year ago. Since then, the craze emerged at D-FW cafes, restaurants, and sweet treat shops. Some have introduced true renditions of the classic Dubai chocolate to their menus, while others have added original concoctions inspired by the popular flavor combination.
“One just has to try it to understand that it is definitely worth the hype,” said Shima Patel, co-owner of locally owned dessert shop Dessert Lab.
Dessert Lab, with locations in Dallas and Richardson and a future spot in Allen, created an entire section on its menu for the viral flavor, with treats such as the Dubai chocolate bar and cheesecake. That’s so customers may enjoy the “addictive” flavor, Patel said.
With high demand for the flavor, Patel said the shop is making Dubai chocolate every day.
As the flavor continues to spread across D-FW, here’s a list of places where you can find Dubai chocolate and other inspired eats, from cakes to shakes to froyo.
The following options are listed in alphabetical order:
Al Nimer Roastery
The Middle Eastern specialty shop sells traditional nuts, spices and treats along with a handful of Turkish and Palestinian products. The crunchy, locally-made Dubai chocolate is sold at Al Nimer Roastery, and Dubai chocolate-covered strawberry cups are available on weekends.
815 S Sherman St., Richardson.
Baklava Bakery & Co.
Recently opened in Dalworthington Gardens, Baklava Bakery & Co. sweetened its menu with a Dubai chocolate latte. The drink incorporates pistachio and chocolate to a regular iced coffee, with a dash of crushed pistachios on the coffee’s cold foam.
3115 W Arkansas Lane, Dalworthington Gardens.
Big Dash & Pastries
With four locations in North Texas, Big Dash Ice Cream & Pastries has expanded its menu to include six different Dubai chocolate inspired treats. The shop serves its own version of the classic chocolate bar. And then it has a more unique offering: a Dubai cheese ball, which comprises a cream cheese ball topped with pistachio ice cream, Turkish pistachio and pistachio sauce.
Plus, the shop also has a Dubai chocolate shell shake. Customers can crack a chocolate shell and stir it into their pistachio milkshake, filled with traditional Dubai chocolate ingredients.
Multiple locations. bigdash.com
Dessert Lab
The late-night open dessert shop serves a variety of Dubai-inspired chocolate sweets. The shop specializes in ice cream, and customers can get stuffed frozen treats such as a Dubai chocolate pistachio crepe or a waffle plate. Additionally, the shops have a take on a newly viral item: a Dubai chocolate strawberry cup.
Dessert Lab has multiple locations in D-FW. dessertlabdallas.com
MilkShake Factory
The chain sweet shop introduced its new Dubai-style chocolate bar this year, making it in “MilkShake Factory fashion.” The chocolate bar has notes of pistachio with milk chocolate and kataifi, a nod to the trendy dessert.
919 E Northwest Hwy., Grapevine.
Nick the Greek
Serving Greek street food, Nick the Greek chains hopped onto the Dubai chocolate trend, introducing its pistachio cream “Dubai chocolate” frozen yogurt. Its plain Greek yogurt takes on new shape with the addition of pistachio butter and a chocolate shell, sprinkled with kataifi and drizzled with pistachio cream.
7707 N MacArthur Blvd., Irving.
Peace Middle East
The Mediterranean-style cafe serves its Dubai chocolate menu with an elegant touch. Peace Middle East has its own take on Dubai chocolate bars and strawberry cups.
But where the cafe shines is the presentation of its Dubai Chocolate crepe, which has its “signature swirl” – a marbled chocolate design.
581 W Campbell Road, Richardson. peacemiddleeastcafe.com
Strawberry Co. Deluxe
Located inside Grapevine Mills Mall, Strawberry Co. Deluxe provides a nutty twist to its strawberry-dipped chocolate menu with the Dubai chocolate flavor. Customers can ask for strawberries to be dipped in either milk, white, or dark Dubai chocolate flavor, which is then engulfed with pistachios and topped with kataifi.
Grapevine Mills Mall in Entry 1, 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy., Grapevine.