During the month of Ramadan, our consumption of Kunafe, Katayef, Baklava and Basboussa goes through the roof
By Yousra Zaki, Deputy Editor - Guides
There’s nothing quite like a table full of Arabic desserts to really make you feel the vibes of Ramadan.
Here is your guide on where to get the best Arabic Sweets in town this Ramadan
Al Baba Sweets
Al Baba Sweets is a delicious world of Lebanese delicacies. They have a wide selection of baklava soaked in delicious syrup or handmade Tunisian sweets. If you're looking for a box of sweets to take away and gift someone, you can order from their Ramadan gift sets at the store or online.
Locations Port Saeed, facing City Center, Deira; Al Barsha, next to Emirates Mall; Al Wasl, Safa2, Jumeirah Ramadan Timings 9am to 11pm Contact 04 295 7911
Al Samadi Sweets
This shop is known for its delicious yet affordable Lebanese and Arabic sweets. They also have French cakes and pastries, coffee, juices and ice creams. This Ramadan you can pre-order and choose chocolate or Arabic sweets in a luxury packing box, a gift tray or Italian glass bowls to gift to a loved one.
Location Al Rigga Street, Deira Ramadan Timings 10am to 1am Contact 04 2697717
Atayeb Chocolates
Here's another sweet shop getting good customer reviews and open during the day in Ramadan. They offer traditional Arabic sweets, however, their specialty is chocolate.
Location 2 of December Street Timings 9am to 12am Contact 04 221 2035
Choc and Nuts
This place is not like the other posh sweet shops. It’s located down a long and narrow alley, surrounded by Middle Eastern and Persian sweet shops. There you’ll find old fashioned weighing scales. They have delicious nuts as well as traditional Ramadan sweets. It's very retro if you ask us.
Location Baniyas Road, Deira Ramadan Timings 9am to 12am Contact 04 2212035
Qwaider Al Nabulsi
Frequented by celebrities from all over the Middle East, this renowned authentic Arabic restaurant offers the classical cheese katayef filling with pistachio and pine. They have a wide variety of sweets like baklava, warbat, mamoul and hares that can be pre-ordered and decorated on a traditional plate this Ramadan. You can also request for extra stuffing in anything you order.
Location Al Muraqqabat, Deira Ramadan Timings 10am to 2.30am Contact 04 2277762
Firas Sweets
One thing you should try if you live in the UAE is this famous dessert parlour. With multiple locations all over the country, Firas is well known for their kunafa. It's warm, soft and really creamy with a generous amount of cheese.
They have different cream and cheese based sweets for occasions such as Ramadan, which are common delicacies after Iftar. Other semolina-based pastries they have on offer are ma’mul, katayef, warbat, halawet el jeben, mabroma, basbosa, ghray-beh, bara-zik, balah al sham, asabe’ zainab, and awama, among others. They have several locations in the UAE, but the one on 2nd of December Street is the one we recommend.
Location 2nd of December Street, Dubai Ramadan Timings 10am to 1am Contact 04 3580489
Al Reef Lebanese Bakery
Although Al Reef is mostly known for its amazing manakeesh, they have a huge selection of Arabic sweets including baklava, Knafe, Maamoul and Kaak.
Location Al Karama, Al Qusais, Jumeirah 3 Contact 04 3968999, 04 2632700, 04 3945200
Reem Al Bawadi
Known for its arabesque ambiance and great dine in options, you can actually pop over and get yourself a box of Arabic sweets including kunafa, aish saraya, halawet el jeben and baklava
Location Al Safa, Jumeirah 3, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Al Muteena Contact 04 4522525
Wafi Gourmet
If you’re looking for somewhere conveniently located in a mall, then Wafi Gourmet is your go to. They literally have all the Arabic sweets you can imagine.
Location Dubai Mall Contact 04 3308297
Sultan
If you’re looking for a more posh place to buy your Ramadan sweets, this little sweet boutique in Mirdif is the right one for you. Each sweet is made using completely organic ingredients, grown locally. From rich butters to fresh pistachios, nothing is ever genetically modified or chemically enhanced. You know you’re getting the best stuff there.
Location Uptown Mirdif Timings Daily from 10am to 10pm Contact 04 2362600
Basbousa
This is a traditional Egyptian sweet store in Village Mall Jumeirah with a modern touch. It is Arabic sweet heaven. In addition to basboussa, they’ve also got baklava, kunafa and modern twists on traditional classics like a lotus/Nutella baklava and kunafa. Make sure you try the cheesecake basboussa.
Location The Village Mall, Jumeirah 1 Timings Daily from 10am to 10pm Contact 04 3447707
Nabelseyye
This little hidden JLT gem is located in the lobby of a large office building in cluster G. Sometimes pronounced Nabil’s Eye by some non-Arabic speakers, it is the spot in JLT to buy your kunafa and other famous Nablus sweets.
Location JLT Cluster G, Business Centre 1 Timings Daily from 8am to 10pm Contact 04 3682681
Sale Sucre
One of the only sweet shops in the UAE that makes the famous Mango kunafa and Nutella kunafa. They are also home to some of the smoothest Egyptian basbousa and baklava.
Locations Barsha, Business Bay Timings Daily from 11am to 10pm Contact Barsha 055 9133447, Business Bay 04 5546927
Bosporus
Stop by this Jumeirah restaurant during the day to pick up delicious Middle Eastern sweets with a Turkish influence. Popular, due to its high quality and delicious taste, Bosporus is a great spot to dine in or take out boxes filled with baklava, kunafa and other Turkish desserts.
Location Umm Suqeim 1, Jumeirah Beach Road Timings Daily from 10am to 2am Contact 04 3808090
Sharjah
Habiba Al Nabulsi
Loved by many Sharjah residents, this local sweet shop has great quality Arabic goodies including kunafa, halawet el jeben, basboussa and katayef just to name a few.
Location Immigration Rd, 2nd street, Sharjah Contact 06 5734330
Sallora Sweets
Whatever you feel like having you will find it in this place. Kunafa, basboussa, katayef and Ramadan drinks are all available there.
Location Al Taawun, Sharjah Timings Open daily from 7am to 2am Contact 06 5268282
Abu Dhabi
Al Samadi
This shop is known for its delicious yet affordable Lebanese and Arabic sweets. They also have French cakes and pastries, coffee, juices and ice creams. This Ramadan you can pre-order and choose chocolate or Arabic sweets in a luxury packing box, a gift tray or Italian glass bowls for gifting.
Location First Zayed Street Timings 10am to 1am Contact 04 269 7717
Qwaider Al Nabulsi
Frequented by celebrities from different countries, this renowned authentic Arabic restaurant offers the classical cheese atayef filling with pistachio and pine. They have a wide variety of sweets like beklava, warbat, ma’mul, haresa and qatayef that can be pre-ordered and decorated on a traditional plate this Ramadan to share. You can also request for extra stuffing such as authentic cheese, pistachio, and pine, among many others.
Location Al Khaldiya Timings 10am to 2.30am Contact 04 2277762
-With inputs from Cleofi Krista Capili
© Gulf News 2017
