7 Delicious Arabic Desserts All Sweet-Lovers Must Try When In Dubai

Is your sweet tooth acting up? Need your monthly dose of sweet indulgences? Some of the most popular desserts come from the Arab world, and we’ve put together a tasty list of some of the best places that serve them. The Arab world is massive and rightly, the desserts are plenty too. From deep-fried Logma, (brown dumplings), to the warm cheesy Kunafa, here are seven delicious Arabic delicacies you must try when in UAE.

1. Kunafa

Also known as Kanafeh, this dessert finds its origins in many different countries around the Arab world. Orange and yellow colour, this sweet is made with noodle-like pastry or semolina strands. It is then dipped and soaked in sweet sugar syrup, and a cheesy filling is added inside. Depending on the restaurant, the kunafa can contain cream cheese or mozzarella cheese. When you reach in for the first bite, the stretchy cheese seeps out and sizzles on the hot plate. This mouth-watering delicacy is one of the world’s most popular Arab/Turkish desserts. The dessert can also be topped with nuts of your choice. 

Location – Just Kunafa, DowntownTimings – 8 AM to 10 PMCost – AED 25 – AED 35Contact – 04 514 2758

2. Lugaimat (Logma)

These delicious brown dumplings are deep-fried and smothered in date syrup and sesame seeds. A local favourite, these sweet balls are crunchy, crispy and soft all at the same time. The fried exterior is slightly hard, but when you break through, soft mush fills your mouth. This delicacy is normally made by Bedouin women in round deep pans. 30 – 50 are made at any one time. Lugaimat is often topped with sugar, nutella, or honey syrup. 

Location – Logma, BoxparkTimings – 9 AM to 12 AMCost – AED 35Contact – 80056462

3. Umm Ali

A dessert we often see at weddings, this Egyptian delicacy has an interesting story in history. Fondly called the mother of Ali, Umm Ali was a rival of the ruler’s wife. The ruler’s wife ordered umm Ali’s death, and to celebrate, she ordered that this dessert be made and spread all over Egypt. That is how this delicious sweet came to be. A beautifully crafted milky dessert, it consists of pastry, milk, cream, and nuts. In. short- goodness in a bowl!

Location – Umm Ali, Al WarqaTimings – 9 AM to 11 PMCost – AED 25Contact – 04 2724118

4. Rice Pudding

Rice pudding also known as Roz Bel Laban finds itself in many cuisines. This dessert has long been used as a medical remedy for upset stomachs and digestion problems. It is a simple sweet consisting of rice, milk, cream, sugar, and nuts. All the ingredients are cooked together and served either hot or cold. The dessert can sometimes be garnished with saffron, cinnamon, nuts, honey, and cream. More recent variations involve a nice cold scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the pudding.

Location – Al Fanar cafe, DFCTimings – 8:30 AM to 11:30 PMCost – AED 16Contact – 04 5260639

5. Halawat El Jibn

Gooey and cheesy, this is a great dish for all cheese lovers. A traditional Lebanese dish, this sweet is made of pastry rolled up with cream and custard. Similar to the Kunafa, the dessert is made with either cream cheese or mozzarella cheese. The delicacy is then topped up with nuts and cherries and served nice and cold.

Location – Al Baba SweetsTimings – 8 AM to 10 PMCost – AED 18Contact – 04 3990634

6. Basbousa

These tasty bites are made in Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and even the United Arab Emirates. Basbousa is small square chunks covered in semolina and pastry. They have flavours of coconut and sometimes saffron. Served alongside different types of baklava, this is another popular sweet served at weddings. They are also known as Hereessa in different parts of Egypt. The taste and texture of the sweet are very similar to vanilla cakes. They are spongy on the outside and crusty inside.

Location – Al Baba SweetsTimings – 8 AM to 10 PMCost – AED 15Contact – 04 3990634

7. Baklava

This dish was developed during the Ottoman empire. It can also be found in many parts of Europe like Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. And as we all know, it is also found in countries in the Levant and middle east. This international Arabian dessert has sweetness in every bite. Baklava is small bite-size sweets garnished with nuts. They are then spread out in an array on a dish or tray.

Location – Al Baba SweetsTimings – 8 AM to 10 PMCost – AED 20Contact – 04 3990634