If you have scrolled through Instagram or TikTok recently, chances are you have seen the viral ‘Can’t Get Knafeh of It’ chocolate bar from Dubai. The bright-green pistachio cream, shattering kataifi pastry, and glossy chocolate shell have made it one of the biggest dessert trends of the past two years. Originally created by Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai by Sarah Hamouda in 2021, the bar went global after a TikTok video by Maria Vehera in late 2023 racked up more than 90 million views. Today, Hyderabad has its own growing scene of shops recreating the Dubai kunafa chocolate experience.
What is Dubai Kunafa Chocolate? #
The original Dubai chocolate bar is a modern take on kunafa, the Middle Eastern dessert made with shredded filo pastry, sweet cheese or cream, and sugar syrup. In the viral chocolate version, the filling is a blend of roasted pistachio cream and crispy kataifi strands, coated in milk or dark chocolate. The result is a sweet-salty, crunchy-creamy bite that looks as dramatic on camera as it tastes.
The trend has since expanded. Lindt and other brands launched their own versions abroad, while Indian dessert makers started experimenting with local riffs using Biscoff, Nutella, salted caramel, and baklava-inspired layers.
Where to find Dubai Kunafa Chocolate in Hyderabad #
Several Hyderabad bakeries, chocolatiers, and dessert studios now sell their own versions of the bar. Based on local listings and reports from Telangana Today, Siasat.com, and The Hindu, here are the places to try:
- Xocolatl, Himayath Nagar — One of the earliest local adopters, Xocolatl added Dubai kunafa chocolate bars in September 2024. Founder Ashmeet Dua offers five flavours: Signature Kunafa, Lotus Biscoff, Salted Caramel, Nutella, and Baklava. Mini bars come in a pack of three for ₹800; big 200g bars are ₹600. Available on Swiggy and Zomato.
- Zuci Chocolate, Jubilee Hills — Sells a pistachio kunafa-filled chocolate bar inspired by the original Dubai version.
- Chocolates and More, Vijayanagar Colony — Run by Ansar Munawar Khan, this spot offers kunafa chocolate priced between ₹499 and ₹999.
- House of Happiness (HoH), Vijayanagar Colony — Founded by Ameen Mirza, HoH launched kunafa bars in Biscoff (₹400), Nutella (₹400), and Pistachio (₹550) flavours.
- Gourmet Baklava, Banjara Hills — Founded by Imtiaz Ali Siddiqui, this dessert shop serves Dubai-style chocolate bars at around ₹375 and is known for baklava and Turkish sweets.
- Not Just Vanilla, Jubilee Hills — Offers a crunchy pistachio kunafa chocolate bar at ₹500.
- Captain Kunafa — A Hyderabad-based kunafa specialist with outlets in areas including Gachibowli, HITEC City, Malakpet, Tolichowki, Chandrayanagutta, Jubilee Hills, Moosapet, Kukatpally, Barkas, and Karwan Circle. While best known for classic kunafa, the chain has been riding the same Middle Eastern dessert wave.
- Kunafa Tales, Banjara Hills — Markets itself as Hyderabad’s source for “fresh-made daily Dubai-style kunafa chocolate bars,” with pan-India delivery.
- Baklava King — Lists an in-store “Dubai Viral Kunafa Chocolate” option for Hyderabad customers.
- LuLu Hypermarket, Hyderabad — Has stocked imported Dubai kunafa chocolate, making it one of the few retail supermarket options in the city.
The bigger trend: Middle Eastern desserts go mainstream #
The kunafa chocolate craze is part of a wider shift in Hyderabad’s dessert culture. Turkish baklava, Arabic ice cream, kunafa cheesecakes, and pistachio milk cakes are now common on bakery menus. Dessert makers are blending Instagram-friendly visuals with traditional flavours, and customers are willing to pay a premium for novelty.
Prices for a Dubai kunafa chocolate bar in Hyderabad typically range from ₹375 to ₹999, depending on size, ingredients, and whether it is imported or locally made. Imported bars from sellers like Denny’s Dubai are also available online and air-freighted across India, though they cost more and depend on shipping timelines.
What to know before you order #
- Freshness matters. Kataifi pastry loses its crunch quickly, so bars made the same day taste best.
- Check the filling. Authentic versions use pistachio cream; local variants may use Nutella, Biscoff, or caramel.
- Storage. Keep the bar cool but not fridge-cold; cold chocolate can dull the pistachio flavour.
- Delivery vs in-store. Many shops list the bar on Swiggy and Zomato, but the texture is usually better if bought fresh.
Latest restaurant and dessert trends in Hyderabad #
Beyond kunafa chocolate, Hyderabad’s food scene is seeing a few parallel trends:
- Fusion mithai — Classic Indian sweets reworked with chocolate, nuts, and global flavours.
- Dessert boxes and jars — Individually portioned treats for gifting and delivery.
- Korean and Japanese bakeries — Croffles, mochi donuts, and soufflé pancakes expanding beyond Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills.
- Artisan chocolate — Small-batch bean-to-bar makers gaining a following.
- Viral food pop-ups — Limited-edition items tied to social media trends, often selling out within hours.
Have you tried Dubai kunafa chocolate in Hyderabad? Which shop made the best version? Tell us in the comments.