Dubai is a city that doesn’t do anything halfway; least of all dessert. From gold-dusted pastries and Michelin-starred confections to inventive Arabian sweets and cult-favourite ice creams, the city has become a veritable playground for sugar lovers. Whether you’re inclined to wander through souks or indulge in fine dining high above the skyline, Dubai delivers indulgence at every turn. Here’s where to find the very best desserts in Dubai.
1. Arabian sweets: traditional treats with a modern touch
Dubai’s dessert culture is deeply rooted in Middle Eastern flavours: think saffron, pistachio, rose, dates and cardamom. For a taste of the classics, head to:
- Al Samadi Sweets (Deira): A long-standing institution offering impeccable kunafa, baklava, maamoul, and rose-scented pastries. Locals swear by their cheese kunafa for good reason.
- Feras Sweets: Known citywide for its syrupy, stretchy kunafa nabulsieh, made fresh to order and best enjoyed warm.
- Loqma (various locations): Try the Gulf’s favourite snack, luqaimat—fried dough balls drizzled with date syrup or saffron-infused honey.
2. Luxury & fine-dining desserts
Dubai’s upscale dining scene takes dessert to theatrical heights.
- Tresind Studio: A Michelin-starred gem where desserts arrive as art installations. Expect Indian-inspired flavours with avant-garde flair.
- Ossiano (Atlantis, The Palm): Dine under the aquarium and finish with some of the most intricate plated desserts in the city, often built around seafood-adjacent ingredients like sea salt, citrus and botanicals.
- Bulgari Il Ristorante – Niko Romito: Minimalist Italian luxury meets pitch-perfect classics. Try the tiramisu or semifreddo.
3. Trendy cafés & pastry hotspots
Dubai’s café culture has exploded, bringing with it a wave of inventive pastries and desserts. Notable venues include:
- Somewhere (Dubai Mall & City Walk): Famous for its lavender milk cakes and Middle Eastern fusion desserts.
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- Brix Desserts (Jumeirah): Founded by the team behind 3Fils, this dessert-only restaurant offers tasting menus that redefine what sweets can be.
- Hummingbird Bakery (City Walk, Mall of the Emirates): American-style cupcakes, brownies and pies that are perpetually popular.
- Bageri Form (Dubai Design District): Arguably the best cardamom bun in the city, plus exceptional croissants.
4. Ice cream
From artisanal scoops to decadent gelato, Dubai has it all. Make sure to check out:
- Scoopi Café: Home to the famously extravagant Black Diamond ice cream, topped with edible gold and made with premium vanilla beans.
- Amorino (various locations): Flower-shaped gelato cones and rich flavours like pistachio, hazelnut and mango.
- Canvas Gelato (Jumeirah): Small-batch, chef-driven flavours with seasonal twists.
5. Instagram-worthy indulgence
Culinary theatre is part of the fun in Dubai, and some places practically demand to be photographed:
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- Candylicious (Dubai Mall): A wonderland of sweets, desserts and over-the-top creations perfect for families.
- % Arabica: While best known for coffee, their soft serve – light, velvety, mildly sweet – is a social-media favourite.
- Brunch & Cake: Their desserts are famously dramatic: think towering pancakes, loaded cheesecakes and colourful tarts.
6. Hidden gems for dessert connoisseurs
These spots fly slightly under the radar but deliver unforgettable flavour:
- Mamara: A cosy café offering superb Turkish desserts, especially katmer and trilece.
- The Choco Monarch: For pure chocolate decadence, including crepes, molten cakes and waffle towers.
- MELT Middle East: A cult favourite for brownies, cookies and molten skillets.
Dubai’s dessert scene is as diverse and ambitious as the city itself. You’ll find something to satisfy every sweet tooth when you’re in town, from traditional kunafa to avant-garde pastry art and towering café creations. Bon appétit!
