Dubai chocolate took the world by storm last summer and has remained a favorite of foodies and dessert lovers over a year after its viral rise to popularity. Numerous brands have tried to put their own spin on the chocolate and pistachio treat, like Trader Joe’s dark chocolate Dubai style chocolate bar and Shake Shack’s Dubai chocolate milkshake. Swiss chocolatier Lindt is the newest company to enter the Dubai chocolate market, having recently launched a $15 Dubai Style Chocolate Bar.
What is Dubai chocolate?
When you bite into a traditional Dubai chocolate bar, you’re met with a sweet chocolate exterior combined with the nutty flavor and crunchy texture of the bar’s pistachio, tahini, and kadayif filling.
Dubai chocolate was born out of FIX Dessert Chocolatier, a chocolate store based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates that specializes in chocolate bars. FIX Dessert Chocolatier founder Sarah Hamouda came up with the idea for the treat based on her pregnancy cravings and created the “Can’t Get Knafeh of It” bar, not knowing that it would become a global sensation.
Dubai-based diners can try the “Can’t Get Knafeh of It” bar for about 68 dirhams ($18.51 USD). For the rest of us not lucky enough to get our hands on the original, stores across the world are launching their own takes on the dessert, and Lindt is the newest participant in the trend.
What is special about the Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar?
Lindt’s Dubai Style Chocolate Bar first launched in December 2024 through an extremely limited release, with the bars being sold in just a few Lindt stores and still selling out seemingly instantaneously.
In June, Lindt again offered a limited release of their Dubai chocolate bar, selling the product in Lindt stores and online, and the treat sold out in less than 24 hours. Everyone, including myself, was more than eager to get their hands on the luxury chocolatier’s recreation of the Dubai chocolate bar magic.
Thankfully, Lindt finally announced that they are bringing their spin on the chocolate and pistachio dessert to retailers across the United States. The product hit shelves on July 7 with a $15 price tag.
The Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar is encased in the chocolatier’s renowned smooth milk chocolate. On the inside, the chocolate bar is filled with a nutty paste that mixes pistachios, hazelnuts, and almonds with crunchy kadayif.
What are customers saying about the Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar?
In the short time since its nationwide launch, the Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar has quickly become a divisive topic for the internet.
Many customers have been surprised and disappointed to break open Lindt’s Dubai chocolate bar and not see the creamy pistachio paste that was key in the original bar’s virality.
When TikTok user @sitdownimsat_ tried the bar, she had to break into an individual square before seeing any filling — an experience that has been common amongst customers. “Well that was disappointing, Lindt,” she said. “I thought the whole point was supposed to be that when you cracked it open the filling like, kind of, comes out.”
One customer, @murs___, posted a video of her breaking into the bar, revealing no filling, with advice for other prospective customers, “Your sign not to try the Lindt Dubai-style chocolate.”
However, while many were surprised by the lack of filling in the Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar and wished for more, the actual taste of the bar’s chocolate and filling were both praised.
Influencer Winny Hayes, @winnyhayes, tried the bar and shared in the internet’s disappointment at the level of filling, but also said the bar’s chocolate was high-quality. “I wish there was more filling, and like creamier, but it tastes delicious,” Hayes said.
Similarly, Liana Ece, @lianafoster, initially thought she got scammed by the lack of filling, but was pleasantly surprised by the taste of the chocolate bar once she bit into it.
While Lindt’s Dubai Style Chocolate Bar may not have the same indulgence of other Dubai chocolate bar’s creamy pistachio filling, it nevertheless seems to be another successful display of delicious, luxury chocolate from the chocolatier.
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