By Marie-Antoinette Issa.

Dubai’s dazzling skyline is its signature. However, beyond the luxury and glitz of its shopping malls and skyscrapers, the United Arab Emirates is also a hotbed for edible fads that combine tradition, innovation and a little bit of online notoriety.

From camel burgers to cult chocolate bars, the UAE’s food curators and content creators are rewriting the rules on must-have foods and capturing global attention.

Here are five of the most viral Dubai food trends: 

Dubai Chocolate: The ‘Can’t Get Knafeh of It’ Bar 

When it comes to viral Dubai food trends, they don’t get more (in)famous than founder Sarah Hamouda’s Fix Dessert treats. It would not be an exaggeration to suggest that Sarah revolutionised Dubai’s dessert game with her now-iconic ‘Can’t Get Knafeh of It’ chocolate bars - a creative marriage of milk chocolate, pistachio cream, tahini and the crunchy sugary kataifi pastry.

This bar quickly became a viral sensation on social media thanks to its unique blend of flavours that perfectly balanced Middle Eastern nostalgia with a modern chocolate twist. While Sarah is credited as the main creator, a plethora of cooks have since been inspired to continue to combine pistachio, kataifi and chocolate in creative ways. As a result, Dubai chocolate-esque coffee, dessert cups and artisanal ice creams can be found at cafes across the globe 

The Chicken Wrap 

The chicken shawarma wrap has long been a staple across the Middle East’s bustling street food scene. However, in Dubai, legendary eateries like Al Mallah and Shawarma Time have truly perfected the humble wrap by combining juicy, spice-marinated chicken with creamy garlic sauce, pickles and fresh salad wrapped in soft, warm flatbread.

What modernised the meal and made it go viral was the endless creativity Chefs brought to it, like adding falafel nuggets, pomegranate molasses or a zingy tahini drizzle. Food bloggers and influencers also quickly caught on, sharing mouthwatering videos of these generously stuffed wraps, turning them into one of Dubai’s most beloved street food icons.

Lazy Cake

The Lazy Cake, also known as the Khaleeji Cake, the Krunchoco cake or the ‘Ahmed Al-Zamel Cake’, exploded across TikTok and Instagram, becoming a viral baking sensation overnight.

This decadent dessert layers a thin, moist chocolate cake with a creamy filling, silky chocolate ganache, and a crunchy chocolate cereal topping. It’s the perfect combination of textures and flavours - and unsurprisingly addictive according to the thousands of online reviews. 

A menu favourite at the Lazy Cat cafe in Dubai, the cake’s effortless elegance and rich taste made it a favourite for both home bakers and influencers trying their hand at recreating it. The cake’s social media fame has inspired countless variations, solidifying its status as Dubai’s latest viral baking icon.

Camel Burgers

Camel meat has long been part of the Middle East’s culinary heritage, but it’s recently stepped into the spotlight in Dubai’s trendy burger joints. Restaurants like Lavash took this lean, slightly sweet meat and transformed it into gourmet burgers that blend traditional flavours with modern flair - think slabs of camel infused with truffle flavour and nestled between soft brioche buns. 

With this trend quickly picking up around the world (one need only refer to the long lines at the stalls of Lakemba’s Ramadan night markets selling similar dishes as proof), our prediction is that Lavash’s show-stopping deer and gazelle meat sliders will be the next TikTok trend to taste! 

Kunafa Cheesecake

Finally, one of Dubai’s most brilliant viral hits is the kunafa cheesecake  - an inspired fusion of the crispy, sugary kataifi pastry with smooth, tangy cheesecake.

Photo credit: Cleobuttera.

Cafes like EL & N helped popularise this dessert, and soon videos showcasing the gooey cheese pull and crunchy kataifi topping flooded social media platforms. Food bloggers, dessert lovers and adventurous eaters couldn’t get enough of this East-meets-West delight, and it’s now a staple on Dubai dessert menus and home bakeries alike.