In a world where food trends often come and go, the Dubai chocolate bar has proven to be a lasting sensation. This delectable treat, featuring a rich blend of pistachio cream and kataifi, first captured the hearts of dessert lovers in Dubai and has since taken the United States by storm, especially after its viral debut on TikTok in 2023.
The story of the Dubai chocolate bar begins with British Egyptian entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda, who created the confection in 2021 at her shop, Fix Dessert Chocolatier, located in Dubai. Inspired by her pregnancy cravings, Hamouda encased a luscious pistachio cream filling, combined with crunchy kataifi, in vibrant milk chocolate. However, it was only when TikTok influencer Maria Vehera posted a video of her enjoying the ‘Can’t Get Knafeh of It’ bar that the treat skyrocketed to fame, amassing over 6.8 million likes and igniting a global craze.
As the demand for this unique chocolate soared, chocolatiers and chefs around the world began crafting their own versions, incorporating fluffy pistachio butter and other creative twists. Even the popular burger chain Shake Shack joined the trend, introducing a limited-time Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake, which debuted first in its Middle East locations in February 2025 before making its way to select U.S. locations, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Miami.
The Shake Shack shake, priced at $7.99, features real pistachio frozen custard blended with toasted kataifi, encased in a crackable dark chocolate shell, and topped with chopped pistachios and additional kataifi. This combination aims to replicate the rich textures and flavors that made the original Dubai chocolate bar a global sensation. The shake’s limited availability has only heightened its allure, with each participating location offering a set number of shakes daily for in-person purchases only.
In addition to Shake Shack, various establishments across the U.S. have embraced the Dubai chocolate phenomenon. In Houston, Texas, home to one of the largest Arab American communities in the country, several bakeries and chocolatiers have created their own interpretations of the Dubai chocolate bar. One standout is Mostly Chocolate, a family-owned chocolatier in Spring Branch, which offers a Crispy Dubai Knafeh Bar. Priced at $20 for a box of three, this bar features a filling of crunchy, toasted kataifi, homemade pistachio paste, and tahini, all wrapped in chocolate.
Cacao & Cardamom, another Houston gem run by chocolatier Annie Rupani, offers colorful variations of the Dubai chocolate bar, including flavors like garam masala-pistachio and black sesame ginger. Customers can indulge in a trio pack or opt for Knafeh Kisses, a set of eight Dubai Bites shaped like lips and filled with luscious strawberry chocolate.
Suzie’s Pastry Shoppe, also located in West Houston, has gone viral for its Dubai chocolate-inspired treats, including a traditional chocolate bar made with homemade pistachio butter and a Dubai chocolate strawberry cup. For those seeking a more extravagant dessert, the Dubai chocolate cake, layered with pistachio butter and drizzled with chocolate sauce, is a must-try.
Royal Roastery USA, known for serving coffee and Levantine sweets, takes the Dubai chocolate trend to new heights with its Dubai Ice Cream Bomb. This spherical dessert features booza, a traditional Arab ice cream, coated in pistachio butter and a crisp chocolate shell, topped with edible gold flakes and phyllo dough. The establishment also offers a variety of Dubai chocolate-themed items, including bars and baklava.
ChocolatZeina, one of the first shops to serve the viral chocolate bar, offers it in personal, pyramid truffle shapes. Golden Roastery, another local favorite, serves unique creations such as Dubai Cake Bombs, which encase ice cream in a combination of kanafeh and Turkish pistachio, drenched in pistachio and chocolate sauces.
The Dubai chocolate bar's influence has even reached as far as Ball, Louisiana, where Freedom Baking Co. has begun selling the popular treat after receiving numerous customer requests. They offer several variations, including milk chocolate and dark chocolate bars, as well as cookie butter bars and Dubai strawberry cups. Baker Renne Free noted the overwhelming demand, stating, "I wanted to prove you know either it’s good or it’s not, so I ordered just a little bit of supplies and come in and did it the next day and we immediately, immediately sold out, and that was just the original.”
As the Dubai chocolate trend continues to spread, 16 Handles, a frozen yogurt chain, is set to launch its own Dubai Chocolate flavor on April 16, 2025. This flavor will feature a creamy pistachio-rich base, milk chocolate bites, and a hint of cocoa, with recommended toppings including hazelnut crunch, rice krispies, and hot fudge for an ultimate experience.
With each new interpretation of this beloved treat, the Dubai chocolate bar's legacy only grows stronger. Its journey from a local confection in Dubai to a global sensation is a testament to the power of social media and culinary creativity. As more establishments embrace this trend, dessert lovers everywhere are sure to keep their eyes peeled for the next delicious iteration of the Dubai chocolate bar.
