Dubai chocolate seems to be everywhere these days. From coffee shops to specialty bakeries, desserts that highlight this rich, slightly nutty chocolate have been popping up around the metro. Some take a classic approach, pairing it with familiar flavors like pistachio, while others get a bit more creative, blending it with matcha, kataifi, or unexpected textures.
For those who don’t know, kataifi is a Middle Eastern pastry made of very thin, shredded filo dough. It becomes crispy when baked, adding a crunchy texture to desserts. On the other hand, kunafa is a traditional dessert made with shredded pastry and cheese or cream.
Photo: Czacza Cafe & Cheesecake by Chele
Despite its name, Dubai chocolate isn’t a traditional Middle Eastern ingredient—it’s actually a Filipino innovation by pastry chef Nouel Catis.
Whatever the style, these cakes show how bakers are interpreting Dubai chocolate. Here are six notable options worth checking out.
1. Conti’s Pistachio Crunch Cake
Where: Conti’s Bakeshop & Dessert
Price: ₱235/slice | ₱1,350/whole
First on the list is Conti’s Pistachio Crunch Cake, which starts with a moist chocolate sponge. It is then layered with chocolate and pistachio mousse, and crunchy kataifi. The top is finished with chocolate and crushed pistachios. A sweet pistachio sauce with edible flowers is served on the side—meant to be poured over the cake for a little extra flourish.
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How to order: Available at Conti’s branches or for delivery through their website.
2. Knafeh Chocolate Pistachio Cake
Where: Czacza Cafe
Price: ₱320/slice | ₱2,400/whole
Czacza Cafe has its own take on pistachio-knafeh desserts. This variation layers moist chocolate cake with pistachio cream and knafeh, finished with a silky ganache and a light dusting of crushed nuts. It’s a different expression of the pistachio-chocolate combination if you want to explore variations.
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How to order: Available at Czacza Cafe branches.
3. Pistachio Tarta de Queso
Where: The Podium
Cheesecake by Chele’s Pistachio Tarta de Queso is a Basque-style cheesecake with a molten, creamy center. Its rustic appearance hides a soft, nutty interior that highlights the pistachio flavor. The cake is a limited-edition release that sells out quickly.
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Tip: Pairs easily with coffee, champagne, or even sangria.
4. Habibi Matcha Cake
Where: The Matcha Tokyo Philippines
Price: ₱420/slice | P1,200/whole
The Habibi Matcha Cake is part of a chef-exclusive collaboration. It features a moist chocolate sponge with a hidden matcha layer. The cake is finished with ganache and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios, with an optional pour-over chocolate sauce. This is available until the end of the year at select branches.
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How to order: Participating branches include Mitsukoshi BGC, Gateway Mall 2, Opus Mall, and several other locations nationwide.
5. Knafe Chocolate
Where: The Bellevue Manila
Price: ₱2,800 nett
The Bellevue Manila’s Knafe Chocolate is another Dubai-inspired dessert. This features dark chocolate mousse layered with moist cake and a pistachio kunafa filling. It’s presented as a luxurious treat, suitable for celebrations or as a gift.
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How to order: Reservations and inquiries can be made via Viber at 0956 256 2931.
6. Roasted Pistachio Chocolate Cake
Where: The Manila Baker
This is not to be confused with Dubai knafeh chocolate. The Manila Baker’s Roasted Pistachio Chocolate Cake is made to last. Moist dark chocolate cake layers are paired with a crisp nutty disk and roasted pistachio Swiss buttercream. As they say, “we never skimp on the good stuff.”
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Each of these cakes puts its own spin on Dubai chocolate, from fun, crunchy textures to soft, nutty flavors.
Whether you’re in the mood for a pistachio-kataifi treat or a chocolate-matcha twist, there’s something here for every kind of dessert lover.
ALSO READ: You Don’t Have to Splurge to Enjoy the Viral Dubai Chocolate—Now in Donut Form
Love Dubai chocolates? Let us know which one of these you would try in the comments.
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