Crispy on the outside, soft and gooey inside, kunafa is a dessert with deep roots in both Arabic and Turkish cuisines, with origins often traced back to Ottoman Palestine or Egypt.
Kunafa is made with a base of shredded phyllo dough or semolina dough, which is then stuffed with soft cheese, often a mild white cheese like Nabulsi or Akkawi. This is baked until golden, before it is finally soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup flavoured with rose water or orange blossom water.
Hungry already? If your taste buds are craving this sweet treat, here are 10 different types of kunafas you can binge on!
Feras Sweets
Known to serve authentic Palestinian kunafa since 1984, Feras sweets can easily be called the ‘OG’ of kunafa in Dubai. The kunafa bean naren, loaded with cream and cheese is an absolute must-try when you're here. Rightly described as ‘between two fires’, this scrumptious version of kunafa comes with a thick layer of fragrant Arabic clotted cream sandwiched between two layers of flame-coloured kataifi pastry, topped with crushed pistachio and orange blossom syrup.
That aside, the menu has a host of options, including the classic kunafa with naama cheese, or kunafa keshnah with cheese. Regardless of what you pick, Feras is sure to leave you craving for more!
04-7708147
Wafi Gourmet
Wafi Gourmet, in Dubai Mall, serves a host of delicacies ranging from the flaky baklava to gooey kunafa. However, you'll love their cheese kunafa. Gooey, stringy, and rich, this kunafa is baked or cooked on the stovetop until the pastry becomes deep golden and crisp and the cheese melts.
They also serve kunafa Nabulsiah, featuring Nabulsi cheese, a Palestinian version of the delicacy. Wash it down with a hot Moroccan tea, or a Turkish coffee, and you’re sure to come back for more!
04-3308297
Omar Odali
Omar Odali at Al Jaddaf Cactus Park and Nad Al Sheba, is more than a name; it’s a brand that celebrates Arabia’s sweetest traditions. Here, every kunafa is crafted with heritage, perfected with modern elegance, and designed to create moments worth remembering. Known for its legendary Palestinian kunafa, this is where you’ll find one of the most authentic kunafa Nabulsiya in Dubai. The signature dessert is prepared live over charcoal, delivering rich flavours, letting you enjoy a perfectly crisp crust, warm, gooey cheese, and a drizzle of fragrant syrup. And if you’re up, go all out, add a dollop of cream and pistachios!
04-2468885
Nablus Kunafa
Nablus Kunafa at Al Seef is a must-go if you’re craving an authentic Palestinian kunafa. The kunafa features finely shredded kataifi layered over a generous filling of soft, mildly salted cheese that melts into a rich, stretchy centre. Baked in wide copper trays until perfectly golden, it’s finished with fragrant sugar syrup infused with rose water and topped with crushed pistachios. Served warm, each bite is like a burst of rich flavours. The waterfront setting in Al Seef adds to the experience, making it a popular stop for an authentic Middle Eastern treat.
04-8826788
Qwaider Al Nabulsi Sweets
Qwaider Al Nabulsi Sweets in Al Muraqqabat, Dubai, is a beloved destination for those who love traditional Arabic desserts, especially kunafa. Go here for the signature Nabulsi-style kunafa. The sweet-savoury pastry is made with a buttery dough layer, a filling of mild salty Nabulsi cheese or similar cheese, and a sugar syrup, often finished with pistachios. Compared with generic kunafa, the Nabulsi style is especially known for its use of Nabulsi cheese.
The menu also includes a wide range of kunafas, including variations with nuts or cream, and even kunafa sandwiches.
04-2277760
Al Samadi Sweets
Al Samadi Sweets in Deira has been a well-loved destination for authentic Arabic confectionery. Their kunafa is made fresh daily and is known for its balance of texture and flavour. The traditional kunafa Nabulsia is the signature dish, where fine semolina or shredded phyllo is baked to a crisp golden top, then poured over with fragrant sugar syrup once out of the oven. Inside, there’s a warm, stretchy cheese filling that’s rich but not overwhelmingly sweet. In short, this is a warm bowl of heaven and happiness!
The menu also includes other variations like kunafa with fresh cream, and kunafa served in a-bun style, each bringing its own twist to the traditional dessert’s creamy, syrupy goodness.
04-2697717
Mr. Kunafa
Mr. Kunafa in Deira is a well-known dessert spot serving a variety of kunafas around the clock. The standout kunafa here has to be the one with a generous topping of Nutella, a haven for chocolate lovers.
The menu also features both soft and crispy cheese kunafa, drenched in fragrant sugar syrup for a rich, gooey centre. Besides, they also serve Arabic-style kunafa with nuts, and the Turkish kunafa with pistachio and walnuts. No matter what you pick, your taste buds are in for a treat!
052-8365710
Habib Bakery
Habib Bakery is known to dish out a wide range of Middle Eastern and South Asian confectionery, and their kunafas hit the right spot. Indulge in kunafa cheese, a crispy, golden kunafa layered with rich, creamy cheese, soaked in a fragrant syrup. Crunchy on the outside, smooth, and cheesy on the inside, this one ticks all boxes.
Not a big fan of cheese? Go for the one filled with rich pistachio cream and drizzled with sweet syrup. This has a delightful blend of crunchy texture and nutty sweetness in every bite.
056-2555377
Kanafani
Kanafani in JVC takes their kunafa very seriously! The restaurant serves both na’ame style, or softer, and kheshne style, or crispy versions. The kunafa cheese cake is a quirky twist on the classic kunafa where the dessert is wrapped inside a soft cake-like roll with creamy cheese inside. This one is an absolute crowd pleaser!
Foodies can also indulge in a modern fusion-style kunafa that mixes the Middle Eastern dessert with Nutella and Lotus toppings. Lastly, you also have the option to pick a pack of 5 mini kunafas, in case you’re confused. All the versions are garnished with a generous topping of almonds for extra texture.
054-7006800
Logma
One of the oldest and well-known eateries located in Fashion Avenue, Dubai Mall, Logma serves kunafa as part of a dessert lineup that blends authentic Emirati flavours with contemporary twists. When you're here, try the crispy kunafa, topped with ice cream, chocolate sauce, and finished with crushed hazelnuts. The ice cream balances the salty cheese layers, giving a contemporary twist to the humble dessert.
04-2415557