Discover Dubai’s famous foods that everyone is talking about — from buttered paratha burgers to Dubai chocolate that has now become an icon.
The largest city in the United Arab Emirates may be known for its Michelin-starred restaurants and celebrity chefs, but some of Dubai’s most famous dishes can be found through delivery apps and in simple cafes.
It all started with Dubai’s iconic chocolate bar. Since then, the city’s chefs have made the internet buzz part of the recipe, reinventing everyday comfort foods like paratha burgers and Karak tea toast into Instagram-worthy creations. Here are some of Dubai’s must-try foodies, each designed to be enjoyed and shared (at least on your social media feeds).
1. Kunafa chocolate bar, also known as Dubai chocolat
It started as a pregnancy craving—and then became a global phenomenon. Fix Dessert Chocolatier’s knafeh chocolate bar skyrocketed in popularity after Maria Vieira showcased its creamy pistachio filling and crispy knafeh overflowing with milk chocolate on TikTok . The video has been viewed over 140 million times. The original “ Can’t Get Knafeh of It” chocolate bar is inspired by the beloved Middle Eastern dessert made with shredded qatayef dough and a gooey cheese filling. Since its widespread debut, Fix has introduced new flavors, including Biscoff Cheesecake and Pretzel.
How to experience the famous chocolate bar in Dubai
The hugely popular chocolate bars, initially available only at Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport and through Deliveroo, were switched to the Careem app in October 2025. Deliveries are launched daily at 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM, with the brand’s nine signature chocolate bars delivered in just 20 minutes across Dubai and Abu Dhabi—perfect for an afternoon snack. This success has also inspired a surge in imitations in cafes and chocolate shops throughout the city.
2. Paratha Burger
Forget sesame bread—the paratha burger is the latest food hotspot to hit Dubai. American-style flat-leaf steaks sandwiched between crispy, buttery lacha parathas—flatbreads that puff up, flake, and crisp up perfectly—this dish pays homage to the city’s prominent South Asian communities and their influence on its food scene. Every bite is a delightful yet messy treat, as tender meat, melted cheese, caramelized onions, and spicy sauces flow between the layers.
How to try a paratha burger in Dubai
Head to the source: Klay by Karak House in The Dubai Mall, the café that started this trend. However, many other restaurants have since joined the fray, adding their own twists with versions of butter chicken and shakshuka. Enjoy it fresh from the grill with a side of masala potatoes and hot karak chai to aid digestion. And maybe some extra napkins.
3. Karak tea toast
Karak tea, a strong black tea brewed with milk, cardamom, and sugar, is a staple of Dubai’s café culture and has long been a source of energy on city mornings. Now, this dish has become part of the breakfast menu in a different way. Toasted bread topped with cream cheese is dipped in the spicy, hot tea until it becomes soft.
How to try Karak tea toast in Dubai
Look for Karak tea cafes and stalls all over the city — especially in Karama, one of Dubai’s oldest and most beloved neighborhoods . Order it fresh and warm, then enjoy it with a steaming Karak tea – or let the staff pour it over you for the full viral effect.
4. Tisho bread
This is the bread that has become incredibly popular: teshu—thousands of incredibly thin, buttery croissant layers that you tear, sheet by sheet, like a stack of paper. First popular in Korea, this bread has now arrived in Dubai, where cafes serve it warm with a selection of dips, including honey butter, pistachio, and strawberry jam.
How to try Tisho bread in Dubai
This thin bread has gained widespread popularity in Dubai’s local dessert scene, and you can find it in some of the city’s Asian-inspired bakeries, including Break by Mara bakery in the Al Qana area .
5. Chocolate Shawarma
Shawarma is a popular street food in Dubai —slow-grilled tenderstem meat on vertical skewers, then wrapped in warm flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles. You’ll find it everywhere, from late-night snack bars to mall food courts. But, in true Dubai fashion, it’s also been given a decadent dessert twist. Explore chocolate shawarma: strips of milk and dark chocolate rolled on a grill and then sliced at the table to create an Instagram-worthy dessert masterpiece.
How can you try chocolate shawarma in Dubai?
You can savor this incredible dessert at Indikaia restaurant in the Shangri-La Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road. Created by the restaurant’s legendary chef, Hemant Oberoi, this dish combines fresh chocolate shavings, a rich custard sauce, and house-made rose ice cream—a nod to classic Middle Eastern flavors. Half dessert, half show, it’s sure to inspire copycat efforts across Dubai.