If there's one food trend that's defined 2025 thus far, it's Dubai or knafeh chocolate. What started as a candy bar bringing together pistachio cream, tahini, and kataifi (a type of shredded pastry) inside a crackable, paint-splattered chocolate shell, created by Sarah Hamouda of Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai—has inspired an infinte number of copycats across the globe, and just as many sweet treats (think cookies, pastries, even cocktails).
If you're as obsessed with this flavour combo as the rest of the world (and me!), you're going to love my round-up of the best Dubai chocolate treats available here in Auckland.
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Where To Buy Dubai Chocolate
House Of Chocolate
Online (Incl. Nationwide Delivery) & In-Store At Farro
Image credit: House of Chocolate | Facebook
If you're after an OG Dubai chocolate fix, I strongly suggest cracking into House of Chocolate's Pistachio Knafeh Milk Chocolate Bar. Made in their signature thiccc style, you'll have to break through close to an inch of rich milk choccy (okay, I may be exaggerating slightly) before setting sights on its glorious green filling, made from a dreamy combo of crunchy kataifi pastry and mellow green pistachio cream. And if you can't stop at the block, consider snapping up some of their bite-sized Pistachio Knafeh Bonbons, and Pistachio Knafeh Cookies (available for a limited time only). Buy direct from House of Chocolate's website, or find instore at Farro.
Cocoa Wilds
Online (Incl. Nationwide Delivery) & 12 O'Connell Street, Auckland CBD
Image credit: Cocoa Wilds | Website
You're probably already well-acquainted with Cocoa Wilds—specifically, their viral hot chocolates (you know, the ones with the toasted marshmallow rim). But let it be known that they also make a damn fine Dubai chocolate bar. Rather than creating the big, brick-style blocks typical of this treat, they've opted for packs of three or six snack-sized bars, filled with crunchy, caramelised pistachio praline and kaitaifi pastry, beautifully painted in shades of not green, but blue and brown. If you fancy exercising even more restraint than these bars demand, grab a pack of their matching bonbons instead.
Where To Buy Dubai Chocolate-Inspired Treats
HI-SO
Inside SO/ Auckland, Level 16, 67 Customs Street East, Auckland
Image credit: Batched Cocktails | Instagram
Nothing gets this gal more excited than a cocktail.... Especially one that's basically a drinkable version of Dubai chocolate. Enter the one-and-only HI-SO, SO/ Auckland's dedicated rooftop bar which is currently pouring a decadent Pistachio Chocolate Martini courtesy of their friends at Batched Cocktails (in fact, it's the first and ONLY place in Auckland you can get this tipple on tap). $18 will get you a pretty little glass of the goods, which beautifully blends smooth dark choccy and roasted pistachios for the ultimate Dubai chocolate experience. Alternatively, if you want to make your own version at home, order a bottle direct from Batched or see here for a list of stockists.
The Breakfast Club
1179 Great North Road, Point Chevalier, Auckland
Image credit: The Breakfast Club | Instagram
Not one to do things by halves, The Breakfast Club is slinging arguably the best Dubai-inspired treats (yes, plural) of them all. Their Dubai Chocolate Series features four stacked dishes infused with the dreamy flavours of Dubai chocolate including a milkshake, ice cream sundae and Einspänner latte; plus the icing on the cake, a literal tower of pancakes served in this spot's signature OTT style (that is, with a shit tonne of toppings). You won't find better or more 'grammable Dubai choccy treats in Tāmaki.
Bella Bakes
Online (Incl. Nationwide Delivery) & At Selected Markets
Image credit: Bella Bakes | Website
Head to your local market and hope like hell Bella Bakes is there, with her epic Viral Dubai Pistachio Cookies in tow (or, you know, order online from her website). Bella makes some of the biggest, baddest cookies around and these are no exception, offering a dense, dark chocolate NY-style base that breaks open to reveal a creamy, crunchy, pistachio cream and kataifi pastry centre. It's Dubai chocolate, in cookie form.
Jax Burger Shack
64 Ormiston Road, East Tamaki, Auckland | 7 Northside Drive, Westgate, Auckland
Image credit: Jax Burger Shack | Facebook
Jax's Dubai Chocolate Dessert Range has almost broken the internet (and has *actually* broken some of their equipment, due to its overwhelming popularity). Perhaps a good thing then that said range is on it's last run—bust a move ASAP or you will miss out on their insane shakes, brownies and waffles decked out in lashings of chocolate and pistachio goodness. I've also peeped a very delish looking white Dubai chocolate rocky road AND a Dubai chocolate caramel slice (the latter of which is sadly no longer available).
Carmel Israeli Street Food
67B France Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland
Image credit: Carmel Israeli Street Food | Instagram
Behold, the Dubai chocolate treat to rule them all—Carmel Israeli Street Food's Pistachio Cruffin. This bad boy is pulling out all the stops, with a crispy, crunchy, sugar-dusted cruffin base, loaded (and I mean LOADED) with gooey chocolate drizzle, green pistachio cream, threads of crunchy kataifi and of course, a healthy smattering of pistachios. It'd make for the perfect 'gram, if only it weren't already in my mouth.
Bear Gelato
327 Dominion Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
Image credit: Bear Gelato | Supplied
Forever a fan of a novelty beverage, I'm frothing over Bear Gelato's latest line-up of drinks which includes a pistachio-rimmed hot chocolate. Taking cues from the viral meringue-edged bevvies of NY and London, this one's giving serious Dubai choccy vibes with a 70% milk chocolate hot chocolate pour finished with a pretty pistachio cream rim, dipped in—you guessed it—pistachio pieces. And the cherry on top? A matching piece of biscotti, naturally. That's not to overlook the caffeine fans of course, who can indulge in the same sorta treat only with bialetti-brewed coffee and a scoop of this spot's impeccably crafted gelato, instead. Yeow!
Pistachio Papi
At Selected Retailers NZ-Wide
Image credit: Pistachio Papi | Instagram
And finally, if you're interested in whipping up some Dubai chocolate-inspired treats of your own, consider investing in a jar of Pistachio Papi—the Italian-made spread which has recently become available in New Zealand after flying off the shelves in Oz (you may have seen it feature in a Krispy Kreme collab a short time ago). I use the word 'invest' because it is a little on the pricey side ($27.99 at Farro at last glance, $22.99 at FreshChoice), however its uses know no bounds. This self-described 'sexy pistachio spread' can be slathered over toast or croissants, dolloped on ice cream, folded through cookies, brownies and other baked goods or even spooned into your coffee. Heck, some people have been know to even eat it straight from the jar (but I wouldn't know anything about that).
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Main image credit: Fix Dessert Chocolatier | Instagram
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