Dubai Chocolate: The Trendy Sweet Treat Taking Over North Texas
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.
Restaurant News
What is Dubai Chocolate?
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.
Customers line up at the counter to make their orders at Dessert Lab on Monday, June 16, 2025, in Dallas. (Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
With high demand for the flavor, Patel said the shop is making Dubai chocolate every day.
Where to Find Dubai Chocolate in North Texas
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
You can find a Dubai chocolate pistachio crepe at Dessert Lab. It’s one of many offerings based on the trendy flavor profile.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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
