The Ultimate Guide to the Yummiest Arabic Sweets in Dubai

Dubai has something for everyone when it comes to dining and entertainment. The city boasts a wide range of dining choices, catering to different tastes and selections. With so many restaurants and food establishments from different countries, Dubai has become a hub for food lovers.

The best food to try in Dubai is Arabic sweets. The city is home to numerous Arabic sweet shops that offer a variety of authentic and delicious desserts and sweets that are popular in the Middle East. From Luqaimat to baklava, there is a vast selection of treats that are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Despite being made with simple ingredients, most Arabic sweets are incredibly flavorful and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you’re in Dubai and looking to try some of the best Arabic sweets, here are some recommendations that you shouldn’t miss:

Luqaimat

Luqaimat, also known as Logma, is a beloved Middle Eastern sweet delicacy commonly found in Dubai. It’s made with yeast-leavened dough that’s deep-fried to create a crispy outer layer and a soft inner texture. The dish is best enjoyed when hot and is typically served with date syrup and sesame seeds as toppings.

Luqaimat can be found at most Arabic restaurants in the region, as well as at carnivals and festival zones. Watching the process of making Luqaimat is a popular activity, as Emirati women can often be seen making it live at heritage festivals and other events. The rhythmic motion of throwing the dough into hot air adds to the excitement and allure of this traditional dish.

Kunafa

Kunafa is a well-known and popular dessert in the Middle East, commonly enjoyed throughout the region. This delectable treat is made by layering a spun pastry called kataifi with a cream cheese filling and topped with pistachios, rose petals, and other nuts. When served, the dessert is soaked in a sweet sugar syrup called attar, making it even more delicious.

Over the years, Kunafa has undergone some changes to accommodate different tastes, resulting in a variety of fillings being used, such as Nutella, lotus Biscoff, and pistachio cream.

Kunafa :  Arabic Sweet

Kunafa is readily available at most Arabic sweet shops and restaurants, and even in supermarkets in Dubai in frozen form. There are also specific food chains dedicated to serving kunafa, like Mr. Kunafa and Just Kunafa. For the best experience, it’s recommended to consume kunafa while still warm, allowing the filling to melt in your mouth.

Umm Ali

Umm Ali is a delicate Arabic dessert that is highly favored by locals in Dubai. This dessert has some similarities to the Western bread pudding but with a unique Egyptian twist. It is made by using puff pastry or flaky bread that is then soaked in a mixture of cream, milk, and condensed milk. The pastry is baked in the oven or heated on the stovetop, and then topped with crushed nuts, dates, or dried coconut flakes. It can be served either hot or cold, depending on personal preference.

Umm Ali is available in Arabic sweet shops and some restaurants, as well as is a common dish in buffet spreads featuring Middle Eastern cuisine. The recipe for this Egyptian dessert is relatively easy and can effortlessly be reproduced at home.

Basbousa

Basbousa is a well-known and popular sweet treat in Levantine cuisine, with a texture similar to that of a cake. It is made by creating a batter from semolina, which is then absorbed in a sugar syrup flavored with rose or orange blossom water. The dessert is typically garnished with nuts such as almonds and pistachios. Over time, the dish has evolved to cater to various preferences, resulting in a wide variety of Basbousa now available. In the Levant region, Basbousa is also known as harissa, and it is particularly popular during Ramadan.

Basbousa is widely available in Arabic sweets and bakery shops, as well as being sold in supermarkets. The dish can be served hot or cold, depending on personal preference. There are even specific brands like Basboussa that specialize in providing authentic and exotic variations of Basbousa in the region.

Maamoul

Maamoul is a delectable butter cookie that is typically filled with sweet and rich date paste. It is made using a blend of semolina flour, spices, and butter, resulting in a slightly spiced taste that complements the sweet dates inside. While date filling is traditional, it can be substituted with other dry fruits such as figs, pistachios, walnuts, and almonds. This Arabic delicacy is commonly enjoyed during festivals like Eid, Purim, and Easter, and it has a long shelf life. To create intricate patterns on Maamoul, a unique wooden mold known as a tabe is used.

Maamoul is readily available at Arabic sweet shops, bakeries, and most supermarkets in Dubai. However, homemade Maamoul has a unique taste and differs from store-bought versions. This delicious dessert is typically served with a hot cup of Arabic coffee.

Baklava

Baklava is a well-known Turkish dessert that is very popular in Dubai. This delectable pastry is made using thin layers of filo dough that are layered with butter and soaked in sweet syrup or honey for a touch of sweetness. It is typically topped with pistachios or other nuts, and the thin layers become almost translucent after the addition of butter. In recent times, this dessert has been reinvented in various forms, including baklava served with ice cream sandwiched between layers.

Dubai is home to numerous restaurants that offer authentic baklava, including Arabic sweet shops, bakeries, and Turkish restaurants. Some Arabic eateries also offer this Turkish delicacy, and you can purchase them from local supermarkets as well.

Halawat el Jibn

Halawat el Jibn, also known as sweet cheese rolls, is a beloved Syrian dessert in the region. It features a semolina and cheese dough filled with cream and garnished with pistachios. To enhance its sweetness, rose water or orange-flavored sugar syrup is drizzled on top.

Halawat el Jibn can be enjoyed at Arabic sweet shops, restaurants serving Levantine cuisine, and select supermarkets in Dubai.

Muhallabiya

Muhallabiya is a Persian-inspired Arabic dessert that is especially popular during Ramadan in Dubai. This creamy pudding is similar to milk pudding and is made with rice, corn flour, sugar, and milk. It gets its jelly-like texture from rice flour, corn starch, or semolina and is lightly flavored with rose water. Muhallabiya is usually topped with nuts, fruits, and cream, and is known by various names such as mahalabia, muhallebi, and mahallabiyeh in different parts of the Levant region.

You can find muhallabiya at Arabic sweet shops and restaurants throughout the region, and some supermarkets also carry muhallabiya mix which makes it easier to prepare this delicious dessert at home.

Chebab

Chebab is a popular sweet breakfast dish in the UAE. These Emirati pancakes are made using flour, yeast, milk, sugar, and eggs. The batter is often flavored with cardamom, turmeric, or saffron and is served with butter, honey, sugar, jam, or date syrup. Each restaurant has its own unique recipe for the batter, which is a crucial component of the dish’s taste.

You can find a chebab at many Arabic restaurants in Dubai, and it’s also easy to make at home.

Khameer

Khameer is an Emirati flatbread usually served in breakfast spreads. Khameer is made with wheat or barley dough. The Arabic word ‘Khameer’ means yeast. The bakers try to create variety in the dish by adding dates, saffron, and turmeric to the bread. The bread is served with cheese and honey. With evolution, this flatbread now has delicious combinations with Nutella, peanut butter and jam, and sweet apple pie. The traditional way of serving Khameer is with a side of eggs, date syrup, and cream cheese.

You can taste the best Khameer at Emirati restaurants and bakeries in the region. Try to visit restaurants that serve authentic Khameer bread.

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