From Kadak Chai Toast to Kunafa Bars: 5 Dubai food trends that went viral on social media
TL;DR
Dubai isn't copying food trends, it's creating them
From Kunafa Chocolate Bars to
Karak Chai Toast
, the city's snacks are going viral worldwide.
Here's a real-world guide to five
Dubai food trends
and where to find them.
Dubai isn't just a city of tall buildings and luxury malls, it's also a place where food trends are born. From traditional sweets turned into viral desserts to hybrid pastries that no one saw coming, Dubai has quietly (and sometimes loudly) taken over the global food scene.
The city blends its rich culture with bold experimentation, and the result is food that tastes great and looks good on camera.
If you're in the UAE or planning a visit, this is your sign to try what the internet can't stop talking about. These are the five Dubai food trends that truly went viral and and you shouldn't miss trying them.
1. The
Kunafa Chocolate Bar
That Made It to 120 Million Screens
You've had chocolate. You've had kunafa. But putting them together? That was a Dubai idea and it worked.
The Kunafa Chocolate Bar by FIX Dessert Chocolatier took social media by storm after a TikTok video by Maria Vehera clocked more than 120 million views in late 2023.
What is it? A chewy mix of kunafa layered inside a creamy chocolate bar. Sweet, cheesy, rich, it's unlike anything else. What started in Dubai is now being exported globally. But the original still hits different.
2. Karak Chai Toast: A Hot Mess in the Best Way
Karak chai is already a UAE classic. But someone in Dubai decided to pour it over a cheese toastie, and things escalated quickly.
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Here's how it works: Take toasted bread with cream or cheese. Pour hot, spiced karak chai on top. Let it soak. Eat it warm. It's messy, sweet, and oddly comforting. No one knows exactly who started it, but it's now served across dozens of chai cafés in the city.
Why it went viral: The visual of tea being poured over toast is strangely satisfying, and it turns out, it actually tastes great.
3.
Crookie
: When a Croissant Meets a Cookie
Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like.
And yes, it's worth the hype.
The Crookie is part croissant, part cookie. You get the crisp layers of a croissant, but the inside is stuffed with cookie dough, chewy, sweet, and warm. It's simple, but brilliant. And you'll find it only at Flaky Pastry in Dubai's City Walk and Dubai Creek Harbour.
Why it works: It's indulgent but familiar. Think of it as dessert's version of a mash-up album.
Where to try it: Flaky Pastry, City Walk and Dubai Creek Harbour
4.
Dubai Ice Cream
That Made It to the Arctic Circle
Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream isn't just a local treat anymore.
It's been spotted in places as far as Norway, yes, near the North Pole.
This isn't your regular chocolate scoop. It's packed with flavor: a rich outer layer of dark chocolate, filled with creamy chocolate ice cream, sometimes swirled with kunafa sauce or crushed pistachios. Some call it over the top. Others just call it delicious.
5. The
Pink Matcha
Everyone's Posting About
Call it cloud matcha, pink matcha, or strawberry matcha, it's gone viral for both its look and taste.
The drink is layered, combining earthy matcha with strawberry puree or milk, giving it a soft pink-and-green color that's oddly calming. It's not too sweet, and not too bitter. And yes, it looks perfect in photos.
Where to try it: Blu Matcha, Dubai's first dedicated matcha café.
FAQ
Q1: What makes Dubai food trends go viral so often?
A mix of bold ideas, strong visuals, and a culture that loves experimenting with food. The city also has a large social media-savvy crowd.
Q2: Can you try these viral items all year round?
Most of them, yes. While some pop-ups are seasonal, the main cafés and dessert shops serve these year-round.
Q3: Are these viral foods worth the hype?
Honestly? Most of them are. They're not just photogenic, they're genuinely creative. And many of them taste better than they look.
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