Dubai-style chocolate – a TikTok-driven trend inspired by the rich, pistachio-laced knafeh desserts of the Middle East – has well and truly landed in UK grocery, with major retailers racing to get a piece of the action.
Leading the charge is Lindt, whose £10 Dubai-Style Chocolate bar launched into Waitrose with a two-per-customer limit, following social media hype. Lidl has also released an eerily similar product which retails at a much more budget-friendly £3.99 with Lidl Plus, offering a more accessible route into the trend for shoppers.
The trend has been around since 2024, seeing punters attempt to make their own at home or fork out upwards of £30 to buy a bar online. In retail, Dubites was among the first launches in Home Bargains, alongside Flair Pistachio Kunafa Cake Bars and Bolci Dubai Chocolate Bars at Morrisons.
Most target the budget end of the market, but with Lindt on the scene, can the latest trend make permanent shelf space in British supermarkets?
Lidl
JD Gross Dubai Style Chocolate
Price: £4.99/122g
£3.99 with Lidl Plus app
Lidl has rolled out its own-label viral smash hit Dubai Style Chocolate to stores nationwide.
The launch of the bars – branded under Lidl’s JD Gross own label – “not only offers unbeatable value” said Lidl GB chief customer officer Jassine Ouali “but also highlights how Lidl GB stays ahead of product trends”.
The bars are limited to two per customer.
Read the full article here: Lidl rolling out own-label Dubai Style Chocolate to stores
Lindt
Dubai Style Chocolate
Available: Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Ocado
Price: £10/145g
Lindt secured Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado listings for its £10 Dubai-style chocolate bars.
The 145g milk chocolate tablets are manufactured in Germany “using state-of-the-art technology”, and are filled with pistachio and kadayif pastry.
A limited run of the bars first hit the shelves of selected Lindt stores in the UK in December. However, the popular treats have been restocked in all Lindt UK shops, also rolling into Sainsbury’s and Ocado. They hit Waitrose in March too, with a two-bar limit as their arrival caused a flurry of excitement.
Read the full article here: Lindt’s Dubai Style chocolate hits Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado
Home Bargains
@mealsbylucy Trying the Dubites from #homebargains #chocolate #chocolatelover #pistachio #dubaichocolate ♬ original sound - LUCY
Dubites Dubai-Style Chocolate
Price: £3.99/100g
Discount retailer Home Bargains launched bite-sized Dubai-style chocolates with a pistachio and kadayif pastry filling encased in milk chocolate.
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Aldi
Dubai Chocolate Style Ice Cream
Price: £3.99/500ml
Aldi has unveiled an own-label ice cream inspired by the viral trend.
Billed as “the first of its kind to be available in any UK supermarket”, the NPD will hit Aldi freezers on 14 April (rsp: £3.99/500ml).
The ice cream combines “decadent” chocolate with “sweet, nutty” pistachio and wafer.
Read the full article here: Aldi claims supermarket ‘first’ with Dubai-style chocolate ice cream
Flair
@flaircakebar Find Flairs Dubai Kunafa Pistachio chocolate cake bar in 400+ stores throughout the UK Video credit - twoislam A perfect blend of flavors you’ll fall in love with—grab yours today! 💚🍫 For UAE, order online at www.dofreeze.ae #FlairsDubai #KunafaCakeBar #TasteOfDubai ♬ original sound - Flaircakebar
Pistachio Kunafa Cake Bars
Price: £4
Available: Morrisons
Morrisons stocks dessert bars featuring a rich pistachio mixture and crunchy kadayif pastry, in chocolate, inspired by the Dubai chocolate trend.
Bolci
Dubai-Style Chocolate
Price: £1.25-£5
Available: Morrisons and One Below
A budget-friendly version of the chocolate, Morrisons and discounter One Below sell Bolci-branded chocolate bars featuring a pistachio and knafeh-inspired filling in milk chocolate.
Knoops
Dubai Chocolate Drink
High street hot drinks shop Knoops is launching a selection of drinks on its spring menu this year – including the viral Dubai chocolate “reimagined the Knoops way”.
Thirty-four per cent milk chocolate with pistachio cream and crispy kunafa hot chocolate for shoppers looking for a luxury alternative to the chocolate bar.
Ann Forshaw’s Milk Shed
Ann Forshaw’s Milk Shed has launched a Chocolate & Pistachio milkshake into limited Spar stores for a limited time.
The milkshakes are available at £1.80 for a 500ml size or £2.80 for a one-litre serving.
Costco UK
@angelina.pj Replying to @Angelina🤪 Reviewing the VIRAL Dubai chocolate at Costco!🍫💚✨ #dubaichocolate #dubaichocolatelovers #pistachio #costcofinds #costco #costcouk #costcodeals #pistachiochocolate #angelinacertified ♬ COME DANCING - CHARLESTON - Cavendish
L’amour Du Chocolate Dubai Style Chocolate
Available in stores and by delivery
Bulk discount store Costco has launched L’amour Du Chocolate Dubai Style Chocolate into UK stores for members.
The chocolate tablet has crispy kadayif crumbles and creamy milk chocolate with pistachio.
Coming soon?
Müller
German Aldi shoppers have taken to social media to share the launch of Müller’s Dubai Chocolate style milkshake RTD drink.
While it’s not available in UK grocery yet, the dairy giant could well make the choice to bring the formula to British shores if it performs well on the continent.
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