Dubai chocolate went viral on TikTok. Now this Ottawa spot has its own take
2786 Lancaster Rd. Unit B, 705-770-7097, instagram.com/yummywaffle1
Open: Monday 3:30 p.m. to midnight, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday 3:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Thursday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., Friday and Saturday, 3:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.
The story behind some of Ottawa's newest and most chocolatey, nutty, crunchy, fluffy indulgences began several years ago in the United Arab Emirates.
In 2021, British Egyptian entrepreneur Sarah Hamouda launched her Dubai-based company Fix Dessert Chocolatier, meant to win over Arabs and Westerners with novel and thoroughly modern chocolate bars. Striving for uniqueness and cross-cultural appeal, Fix Dessert Chocolatier products feature such distinctively flavoured fillings as pistachio paste, Lotus Biscoff cookies, spicy tea and more.
It was only a matter of time before Fix Dessert chocolate bars went viral. In late 2023, a UAE-based TikTok influencer's video racked up tens of millions of views. Brand recognition soared not just for Fix Dessert but also for the term 'Dubai chocolate.'
In Ottawa, Sohayb Algharibeh took the ooey-gooey, pistachio-y inspiration of Dubai chocolate and ran with it.
Last fall, in a Lancaster Road strip mall in Ottawa's east end, the 30-year-old Jordanian-Canadian and Algonquin College grad launched two brands under one roof, the restaurant and catering company Yummy Touch and the dessert-focused Yummy Waffle.
Yummy Waffle's bestsellers, introduced in November, are Dubai chocolate waffles ($16.99), Dubai chocolate mini pancakes ($16.99 for a dozen) and Dubai chocolate cheesecake ($12.99). All feature generous toppings of chocolate sauce, pistachio sauce, pistachio crumbs, and toasted knafeh (crispy strands of house-made pastry dough).
Among Yummy Waffle's other sweet treats are riffs on other candies including Ferrero Rocher, Kinder Bliss, KitKat and more.
Algharibeh concedes that social-media hype has driven customer interest in his Dubai chocolate items. But he also says they're 'very delicious.' I don't disagree, especially if those waffles and mini-pancakes are in a state of just-made peak freshness, eaten in Yummy Waffle's dining room rather than brought home.
One afternoon this week, I had to restrain myself from eating too many mini-pancakes. A waffle-loving friend proclaimed Algharibeh's Dubai chocolate waffle one of the best waffles he'd ever had.
If you like Yummy Waffle's Dubai chocolate-inspired creations, there's more to explore and try in Ottawa. Google tells me that those Fix Dessert Chocolatier confections are available here. I also see that other Middle Eastern dessert and sweets shops in Ottawa have their spins on Dubai chocolate-based treats.
I realize that this new information could be dangerous for your waistline. Please balance your hedonistic Dubai chocolate-inspired impulses with your health.
phum@postmedia.com
Hazelnut Paris-Brest at Elina Patisserie
Lobster Tails at Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana
Kouign-amann at La Maison du Kouign-Amann
Hot chocolate at Amandine Patisserie
Petrali and susumelle at Dolce Sapori Italian Bakery & Cafe
Croffles at Sharpfle Waffle
Brûléed Ice Cream Sandwiches at Moo Shu Ice Cream & Kitchen
Nanaimo bar chocolate chip cookies at Union Kitchen / Cafe / Local Store
Tartelette's last-minute Valentine's Day treats
Pie Rogues' Russian hand pies
SuzyQ's doughnuts
Want to stay in the know about what's happening in Ottawa? Sign up for the Ottawa Citizen's arts and life newsletter — Ottawa, Out of Office — our weekly guide to eating, listening, reading, watching, playing, hanging, learning and living well in the capital.
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