
5 of the best dessert cafés in Dubai this summer
Images: Supplied
Created by world-renowned pastry chef Angelo Musa, this elegant café at The Lana brings French patisserie to Dubai's waterfront. It's minimalist and calm. Expect perfectly structured entremets, intensely flavoured pistachio sorbets, delicate tarts, and signature millefeuille that's all about balance and technique. Ideal for a quiet sit-down or to grab something refined to go.
Location: Bonbon Café, The Lana, Dorchester Collection, Marasi Drive, Business Bay
Times: Daily, 10am to 10pm
Contact: (0)4 541 7755 | @ bonboncafeangelomusa Brunch & Cake
Known mainly for brunch, this spot takes dessert seriously. Think thick-cut cakes, layered slices, and bold portions plated beautifully. Born in Barcelona, the space is breezy and social, with a light-filled interior that's made for catching up over carrot walnut cake, red velvet, or Japanese cheesecake. Dessert is definitely not an afterthought here and it's why a lot of people come in the first place.
Location: Multiple locations; Brunch & Cake, Al Wasl, Jumeirah or Al Habtoor City
Times: Daily from 9am to 10pm
Contact: (0)4 422 5879 | @brunchandcakeuae Ganache Chocolatier, Dubai Hills Mall
If you're into chocolate, this is your spot. Set inside Dubai Hills Mall, Ganache's café is modern, calm, and focused entirely on cocoa. The seating wraps around live chocolate stations where chefs plate up desserts in real time. Expect thick, rich hot chocolates, layered mousse cakes, dark-chocolate ganache domes, and house-made pralines. A must-visit for chocolate lovers.
Location: Ganache Chocolatier, First Floor, Dubai Hills Mall
Times: Daily, 10am to 11pm (subject to mall hours)
Contact: (0)52 713 5003 | @ byganachechocolatier Brix Café
Brix has a relaxed, minimalist vibe and a strong focus on flavour. It sits right by the water at Jumeirah Fishing Harbour – a calm place for coffee and something well-made. On the dessert side, you'll find Basque cheesecake with the right burn, coconut jelly ice cream, Japanese sponge cake, and a standout vanilla mascarpone with lychee gel. Sweet, but not too sweet – and always interesting.
Location: Brix Café, Jumeirah Fishing Harbour, Jumeirah 1
Times: Daily, 8am to 11pm
Contact: (0)54 515 7861 | @brixcafe.ae Ladurée
Image: Ladurée website
Inside Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue, Ladurée is a quiet step away from the crowds. It's all about refined patisserie in a soft Parisian tea-room setting. Macarons are the obvious draw, but there's more – like rose and raspberry Ispahan, hazelnut-layered Plaisir Sucré, and pretty tartlets you'll want to take home.
Location: Ladurée, Fashion Avenue, Ground Floor, The Dubai Mall
Times: Sunday to Thursday, 10am–12am; Friday to Saturday until 1am
Contact: (0)4 321 3929 | laduree.ae
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Khaleej Times
17 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
From matcha lattes to rituals: Dubai's obsession grows as supply falls short
Come summer and people in Dubai — as well as around the world — frantically wait for the next big food trend. Last year, the city and many others went gaga over the now-popular Dubai chocolate. While the Dubai chocolate has proved its merit beyond a temporary claim to fame, as buzz still lingers, this summer, Dubai has a new obsession — a green-coloured Japanese elixir — setting the internet off on a 'matcha girlie' frenzy. Matcha has caught the mainstream imagination of being the go-to summer beverage, in matcha lattes, vanilla foams, coconut water, strawberry, blueberry, mango flavours — you name it — and a matcha version of that drink probably exists in some indie café space in Dubai. Restaurants, cafés, both big and small, chain and local, have left no stone unturned to adapt matcha into their menu, whether through lattes or cakes and pancakes, making it crystal clear that matcha is the drink this summer. But as with any surge comes a downside, like last year. Akin to the global pistachio shortage following the uptake in pistachio spreads being used in Dubai chocolate bars worldwide, we've also been hearing of a global matcha shortage. According to news reports, growers have been struggling in recent months as record-breaking heatwaves have damaged crops. In Kyoto, which produces around a quarter of Japan's tencha (raw material for matcha), the extreme heat has led to poor harvests — even as demand continues to rise. So, what is fuelling this matcha craze? And are cafés being impacted by the apparent global matcha shortage? We spoke to local matcha communities, cafés and a content creator to dig deeper. The matcha mo(ve)ment At the heart of this matcha moment are thriving community spaces, such as Matcha Club — a hidden gem in Al Quoz that has transformed into a full-fledged wellness and lifestyle haven. More than just a café, it's a hub where matcha lovers, padel players, and wellness enthusiasts come together to unwind. 'It all started with a love for padel, greenery, and community,' says Vanessa Melhem from Matcha Club. 'We wanted to create a space that brings together wellness, lifestyle, fitness, social connection, and Matcha Club is exactly that.' And inside Matcha Club is a French-Japanese restaurant named NETTE, serving a menu rooted in mindful eating, and of course, copious amounts of matcha. At NETTE, ceremonial-grade matcha from HealthNag is the star. 'It's super vibrant and smooth, perfect for drinks,' Amina Nizamuddi, NETTE's creative manager, explains. 'When it comes to choosing the right matcha, ceremonial-grade is basically the good stuff: better flavour, brighter colour, and no bitterness. Culinary-grade is more for baking and mixing into recipes.' One of NETTE's best-sellers is the Dirty Matcha — a slightly rebellious blend of matcha, espresso, and milk. 'It's the ultimate east-meets-west blend,' Amina adds. 'Matcha's slow-release calm with coffee's immediate kick. It's become a favourite for regulars who want the alertness of caffeine without the jitters.' There was a time when matcha was just that curious green powder reserved for wellness vlogs. Fast-forward to now, and matcha has fully graduated from fad to lifestyle. 'It's become part of people's daily rituals,' says Vanessa. 'From foodies to athletes to creatives, many are turning to matcha as a consistent and mindful alternative to coffee.' That mindfulness is also front and centre at Toby's Estate, where the commitment to quality starts with sourcing the best matcha. 'We work with trusted suppliers who have deep roots in Japan, which is the birthplace of matcha,' says Faisal Marei, director of operations for Toby's Estate Middle East. 'These farms follow traditional methods, harvesting only the youngest leaves and stone-grinding them slowly.' Their bestselling item? No surprises here: the classic Matcha Latte. But it's what goes into it that counts. 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When asked what her go-to order is, the content creator responds, 'A regular iced matcha latte. But if I'm feeling fancy, I go all in with vanilla foam on top. I absolutely love the one at Toby's Estate, their milk is just stellar. It makes all the difference.' But not every matcha makeover is a hit. 'The Dubai Chocolate Matcha Latte? Total miss for me,' she laughs. 'There's way too much going on! Matcha is best when it's clean, simple, and not trying to be something it's not.' And when it comes to the 'matcha girlie' personality-type, she doesn't mind the stereotype. 'If you drink matcha, you probably do Pilates, romanticise your life with a daily routine, and definitely own at least one pastel-coloured water tumbler. It's a whole vibe, and I'm absolutely here for it.' Global matcha shortage While matcha continues to enjoy its virality, there's a deeper challenge taking shape behind the scenes. As global demand soars, supply isn't always keeping up, and for cafés committed to doing it right, that means walking a fine line between staying stocked and staying true. 'As matcha continues to grow in popularity worldwide, sourcing high-quality matcha consistently can be a challenge,' says Vanessa from Matcha Club. 'With increased demand, it's important to stay mindful of where and how it's produced.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Matcha Club (@matchadxb) The how being crucial here. The best matcha doesn't come from mass production but from small, sustainable farms in Japan that rely on time-honoured cultivation methods. At NETTE, the team ensures it only works with a supplier known for its transparency and ethics. But even with the right partnerships, they're feeling the squeeze. 'As global demand for premium matcha rises, so do the challenges in sourcing sustainably,' says Amina. 'HealthNag works directly with small farmers who uphold traditional growing methods, but climate change and limited yields do impact supply and cost. We've also noticed a growing amount of low-grade matcha entering the market, which can create confusion for consumers.' For these cafés, educating the customer is also part of the responsibility. 'We've chosen to prioritise quality and sustainability, even if it means a slightly higher price point. We believe in educating our customers on why it matters because when matcha is grown and processed with care, you can taste and feel the difference.' Faisal from Toby's Estate has also witnessed first-hand just how rapidly the market is shifting. 'Sourcing true ceremonial-grade matcha is becoming more challenging as global demand is skyrocketing,' he explains. 'We're committed to maintaining the highest standards, which means only working with trusted suppliers who have direct relationships with farms in Japan that follow time-honoured, sustainable cultivation and processing methods.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tobyâ��s Estate UAE (@ In fact, Toby's Estate made the bold decision earlier this year to temporarily discontinue their matcha offerings rather than compromise. 'Our supply chain is more sensitive to seasonal yields and logistics. But that's non-negotiable. Our customers trust us to serve the real thing, and we are sincere about protecting the authenticity and sustainability of what we offer.' With demand booming, the market has been flooded with diluted, low-grade options, often labelled as ceremonial when they're not. For discerning consumers, this can be confusing and for cafés trying to satisfy these consumers, it's a minefield. Still, the lifestyle shows no signs of slowing down. As Amina puts it, 'Matcha has become a ritual for a lot of people. Whether it's part of a wellness routine or just a favourite mid-morning pick-me-up, it's clear that matcha is here to stay.'


Cosmopolitan ME
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- Cosmopolitan ME
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Web Release
a day ago
- Web Release
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