Travel diaries: 10 mouth-watering desserts you must try in Dubai

Number ten is the mother of all desserts!

KARACHI: It's that time of the year again when you pack your bags for a much-needed summer break, and no matter where you're headed to, Dubai is on the way.

Apart from discovering exciting sites, there is something in the city's air that awakens the inner foodie in you. Be it the smell of freshly prepared waffles or the soothing aroma of vanilla, one tends to get lost in the realm of appetising desserts.

As you jot down your things-to-eat list, we bring you ten must-try desserts ranging from pocket-friendly cookies to extravagant platters, to make sure you don’t miss out on the very best the city has to offer.

1. Kunafa

This Middle Eastern delight is the first thing you need to try. It's a melting bed of cheese, topped with Semolina or Kataifi (shredded filo dough) which is soaked in a sweet rosewater syrup and baked to perfection.

Where to go: Reem Al Bawadi

Enjoy Kenefe Nabulsieh at Reem al Bawadi downtown, which is in a prime location, with a view of the Burj Khalifa.

Kenefe Nabulsieh costs AED 35. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

2. Luqaimat

Another popular Middle Eastern delight! These sweet dumplings dipped in honey or sugar syrup will set you on a hogging spree.

Where to go: The Global Village

Although these mini treats are widely available across the city, the ones freshly prepared at The Global Village are simply unbeatable.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFDzXvIx8ZH/

The yummy dumplings' price starts from AED 20. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

3. Pancakes and French toast!

These are all you need to kick-start your sweet morning!

Where to go: IHOP and Eggspectation

Eggspectation's Chocolate Chip Pancake is definitely a treat for all chocolate lovers, while the famous French toast is baked using a recipe for an amazing artisanal brioche. The pancakes and French toast are both served with pure Canadian maple syrup.

Top: French Toasts costs AED 54. Bottom: Chocolate Chip Pancake costs AED 52. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

Ihop's famous Original Butter Milk Pancakes with an authentic country flavour are unbeatable. They come with a variety of toppings, spoiling you with choice. The strawberry banana French toast is delightful!

Top: Strawberry Banana French Toast costs AED 39. Bottom: Original Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry and Whipped Cream topping starting from AED 27. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID



4. Cakes

The soulmates to our coffees!

Where to go: The Cheescake Factory

Forget Dubai, wherever you go in the world, the first place that comes to mind for a divine slice of cheesecake is The Cheesecake Factory. Words cannot define how good it tastes. Original, Hershey’s and Key Lime won our vote at the outlets across the city.

Top: Original, bottom right: Key Lime and bottom left: Hershey's, costing AED 34 per slice. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

5. Gelato

Tired of Baskin Robins and Cold Stone Creamery?

Where to go: Morellis Gelato

Morellis Gelato should be your next stop for fulfilling midnight cravings. Their sundaes will satisfy any sweet tooth. We loved the epic combination of strawberry, chocolate and soft vanilla gelato with seasonal fruits, called the Knickerbocker Glory.

Right: Kinckerbocker Glory costs AED 45. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

 6. Cookies

We all have a cookie monster in us!

Where to go: Ben's Cookies and Chili's

From white choclate, macademia, milk chocolate to double chocolate, Ben's gooey treats never fail to impress.

A range of Ben's cookies costing AED 10 each. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

And if you want more, Chili’s Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is definitely something you won’t regret trying.

Chili’s Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie with Vanilla Ice Cream costs AED 29. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID



7. Falooda

There comes a time when you get homesick and miss all the yummy stuff you took for granted back home!

Where to go: Billo ice cream

This small truck-themed ice cream parlour offers a range of desi treats ranging from rich Peshawari ice cream to pista falooda.

Bottom Right: Pass Kar Ya Bardasht Kar costs AED 18. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

8. Waffle Cones

Can't live without them!

Where to go: Godiva

The name says it all. We all die for their decadent chocolates, but the waffle cone is a different mouth-watering experience altogether. The richness of dark chocolate combined with a punch of scented vanilla will make you an addict.

Godiva Waflle Cone costs AED 25. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

9. Cupcakes

These miniature cakes are a mouthful of pure delight.

Where to go: Project Cupcake and Mangolia Bakery

Project Cupcake is a kingdom of cupcakes offering a wide range of mouth-watering cupcakes. Even Mangolia Bakery makes the cut with its rich vanilla and chocolate cupcakes for Aed 14 each.

Above: Project Cupcake for AED 15 each. Below: Mangolia Bakery Cupcakes for AED 14 each. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID



10. Dessert platter

The mother of all desserts!

Where to go: Novikov

Although heavy on the pocket, Novikov's Dessert Platter, which includes six divine desserts, is worth every single penny.

Dessert Platter costs AED 400. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

And it comes with a show!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFDyOxcx8XY/

First comes the Dark Chocolate Fondant that is rich and decadent in every bite.

Soft and gooey inside, an individual serving of Dark Chocolate Fondant costs AED 85. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

The Harumaki Dulce De Leche are basically spring roles stuffed with banana, mint and chocolate ganache. The vanilla passion dipping sauce adds a tropical taste to serve as the perfect combo.

An individual serving of the scrumptious Harumaki Dulce De Leche costs AED 65. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

The Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée is an explosion of taste, as it contains coconut sorbet, coconut tuile and mango foam.

An individual serving of Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée costs AED 70. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

The Green Tea Ice Cream with Sorbet is equally refreshing.

An individual serving of Home Made Ice Creams and Sorbets costs AED 20. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

Then comes a divine mouthful of poached banana in saffron syrup, miso caramel ice cream, peanut butter crumble and warm Manjari chocolate mousse. The Miso Banoffee V2 is definitely a winning combination.

An individual serving of mouth-watering Miso Banoffee V2 costs AED 65. PHOTO: ALVEENA ABID

Last but definitely not least, the Shira Tama Sphere more than satisfies the palate.

The caramel mousse, praline ice cream and sugar-coated hazelnuts inside a white chocolate sphere are a delectable surprise, once the ginger caramel sauce has unveiled the treasure.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFDy9Qvx8Yc/

Disclaimer: We are not responsible for giving you major sugar cravings. Cheat your diet at your own risk.