Credit: Brooke Pollock

If you’ve been on any food-related social media accounts on platforms like TikTok or Instagram, you may have seen the viral phenomenon of Dubai chocolate creeping into your feed (or taking over completely, for some of us). It looks like a chocolate bar filled with a light green paste containing flakes of something resembling shredded coconut, and goes for around $20 per bar. So, what is this popular treat all about?

This dessert we’ve come to call Dubai chocolate was first created by Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai and was termed the Pistachio Kataifi Chocolate Bar, but goes by a more clever title, “Can’t Get Knafeh Of It.” This chocolate bar consists of rich milk chocolate stuffed with a creamy pistachio filling combined with crispy kataifi. Kataifi is shredded phyllo pastry, often used in other Middle Eastern desserts such as knafeh. 

While influencers were getting chocolates shipped overseas from the original shop, everyone else wanted a taste too – without breaking the bank. Quickly, shops such as Costco began importing these pistachio-filled chocolates. Some cooks decided to recreate this dessert themselves, which ultimately led to a nationwide pistachio cream shortage. 

Once this incredible combination of pistachio, crunch and chocolate was discovered, people began improvising and putting their own twists on the original recipe. Ghirardelli Chocolate Company quickly hopped on the trend and released a Dubai Chocolate Sundae on March 8 at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience in San Francisco. Supermarket giant Aldi brought Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream to its shelves last month as well. Starbucks locations in Dubai collaborated with Here-O donut brand to release the Dubai Donut, a pistachio donut available at Starbucks outlets in the Dubai Design District and the Dubai Festival City Mall. Other creations, such as Dubai chocolate-covered strawberries and Dubai chocolate brownies, also arose as ways to bring this flavor combination into more recipes.

If you’re looking to try this treat for yourself in Santa Barbara, you’re in luck, because there are two local cafes where you might be able to find this dessert. Located on State Street, LOKUM is selling Dubai chocolate by the brand Carsibasi. Though physically accessible, the price of $49.95 per bar makes this purchase a bit unrealistic for most college students. Kin Bakeshop on Turnpike Road has created an affordable Dubai chocolate mochi donut, blending together cultures in a sweet masterpiece. 

If you’ve been dreaming of trying this sensational dessert, there are now many shops and online storefronts selling these chocolates. Or, if you can get your hands on some pistachio cream, you can attempt to recreate it for yourself and enjoy this global delicacy in the comfort of your home.

A version of this article appeared on p.14 of the April 17th, 2025 print edition of the Daily Nexus.