From over-the-top desserts to savoury mashups that qualify less as meals and more as culinary abominations threatening to break the Geneva Convention, this is a list of the craziest food mashups.
In a city where shopping malls double as aquariums and taxis aren’t yellow or white but Teslas, it’s no surprise the food menus are just as extra. Every time you think Dubai’s culinary scene has peaked, its chefs come back swinging with something stranger, shinier, and very much ballerina cappuccina.
And, in case you think you’d already seen it all, well, you’re wrong. We’ve rounded up the wildest food concoctions currently taking over the city, from over-the-top desserts to savoury mashups that qualify less as meals and more as culinary abominations threatening to violate the Geneva Convention.
Pizza Croissant
Culprit: Bakerist
Crime Scene: Dubai Hills, Bluewaters, The Palm, Business Bay & Hamra Mall
The inventors of Italian cuisine are currently rolling in their graves.
Paratha Smash Burger
Culprit: Klay by Karak House
Crime Scene: Dubai Mall, The District
Paratha Smash Burger is the edible lovechild nobody asked for, but everyone secretly wanted.
Activated Charcoal Ice Cream
Culprit: Scoopi Cafe
Crime Scene: Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai
Looks like asphalt, tastes like Instagram likes, a dessert goth enough to join My Chemical Romance. What’s even more is that it’s gilded in a thin layer of gold.
Pistachio Kunafa Banana Pudding
Culprit: Magnolia
Crime Scene: All over UAE
Who looked at kunafa and banana pudding and thought, “Yes, let’s Frankenstein this sugar bomb” – and why does it actually slap?
Lotus Burger
Culprit: High Joint
Crime Scene: Dubai Mall, Manara, Khawaneej & Motor City
The unholy union of fried chicken and Biscoff lotus butter that tastes like heartbreak therapy in a bun.
Ice Cream Ramen
Culprit: Nani
Crime Scene: JLT, J2 Tower & Business Bay
Throwing a soft-serve ice cream cone in a scalding ramen broth? Honey… who hurt you?
Designer Bag Cakes
Culprit: Gasteria Cafe
Crime Scene: BLVD Heights, Downtown Dubai
Well, that’s a Birkin you can actually afford… (until you need a new gym membership, maybe).
Oman Chips Ice Cream
Culprit: Yuki No Hana
Crime Scene: All over UAE
A vanilla ice cream topped with shaved Oman chips tastes like childhood nostalgia had a plot twist.
Cereal Ice Cream
Culprit: SALT
Crime Scene: All over UAE
Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday… and now you can get your soft serve dusted with a crunch of your favourite cereal.
Dining and Cooking