The whole world has gone mad for Dubai chocolate – that irresistible blend of milk chocolate, pistachio cream and kataifi pastry. The chocolate bar – originally known as ‘Can’t Get Knafeh It’ – was invented by Filipino pastry chef Nouel Catis for Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai in 2021. However, it took a while for the world to catch on. For several years, it flew under the radar. But then, in 2024, TikTok discovered it, and once that happened, Dubai chocolate absolutely exploded like a delicious gooey brown and green flavour bomb across the globe. One video of social media influencer Maria Vehera eating a bar of Dubai chocolate in her car has been viewed more than 125 million times.

Now Catis has unleashed a new chocolate creation, this time for Rain Cafe in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). His new baby is Abu Dhabi chocolate, and it’s a pretty huge departure from his original invention. 

Related story: What the hell is a Bearista, and why are people losing their minds over it?

What is Abu Dhabi chocolate?

Abu Dhabi chocolate starts with a salted caramel chocolate coating, with a filling featuring halawa (soft, crumbly sweetened tahini), saffron, cardamom and dates, with a crunchy baklava element. And it all comes topped with gold flakes. You know, for a subtle touch of billionaire oil magnate energy.

Catis says the bar is his way of “paying homage to the UAE”, and designed the bar to “reflect the soul of the city”. It took him a year to develop it (it only took him three months to develop Dubai chocolate, so…), and it’s currently only available at Rain Cafe outlets in Abu Dhabi, however, there are plans to expand to more retail outlets. It’s selling for around AU$40 for a 200g bar.

So the big question is: will Abu Dhabi chocolate take the world by storm, leaving Dubai chocolate in the dust? Only time – and tastebuds – will tell. 

Related story: Singapore McDonald’s gets fish nuggets while Australia watches on like a sad seagull