Dubai chocolate went viral in 2024 on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. The trend continued into 2025 and all the way up to present day spreading to stores and food companies such as Target and Starbucks.
So, Dubai chocolate. What is it? It originated in Dubai in 2021, created by Sarah Hamouda of Fix Dessert Chocolatie. The treat contains a milk chocolate outside filled with a mixture of toasted kataifi (shredded wheat phyllo dough), pistachio cream and tahini (sesame butter).
The rave over Dubai chocolate started when several influencer mukbangs- videos of people eating and occasionally including a review- went viral on TikTok. Personally, I am a big chocolate fan. So many reviews popped up on my For You Page while scrolling through TikTok, and I was eventually compelled to try it.
Originally, I was surprised because one small bar of this chocolate is $6. After some research, I discovered that most Dubai chocolate bars are $10-$25.
However, my $6 was well spent. The creamy pistachio inside was delicious, especially mixed with the milk chocolate shell.
Since trying the chocolate, it has certainly grown more popular. Despite the price being high, I enjoy the chocolate and would buy it again.
Now, while the chocolate is delicious– companies, specifically Starbucks and Dunkin’, have made Dubai chocolate inspired products. Are these products just as good as the chocolate itself?
On Jan. 6, 2026, Starbucks dropped their winter menu containing the Dubai chocolate mocha and the Dubai chocolate matcha. Then, on Feb. 3, they dropped their Valentine’s day menu featuring Dubai chocolate bites and chocolate pistachio loaf.
I’m at Starbucks a lot, so of course I was curious to try the Dubai flavored bread loaf and a Dubai drink.
The chocolate pistachio loaf is inspired by the Dubai chocolate trend. It’s $4.25 and is a marble-like swirl of chocolate and pistachio flavored bread/cake topped with crushed pistachios.
While ordering the loaf, I asked for it to be warmed up which made it so delicious. The blend of flavors was just as good as the chocolate and because it was warmed, the chocolate even melted a bit which was perfect.
Considering the bread/cake loaf was scrumptious, I decided to try the Dubai matcha, which was $6.25. However, personally I am not a big fan of matcha in general.
The drink was fine, only because matcha isn’t my favorite. But, the pistachio sauce and chocolate cream cold foam on top was a great combination- which is the Dubai inspired aspect of the drink.
Overall, Dubai chocolate deserves the attention it’s getting. It is not only a delicious chocolate, but the treats and drinks based on its flavoring are also good. The Dubai matcha will stay on the menu for the winter season, however the pistachio flavored items will stay all year long.
