Chase that sugar rush around town
Dubai’s bakery scene has quietly become one of the city’s biggest food obsessions. Scandinavian cardamom buns, Portuguese custard tarts, flaky French viennoiserie and homegrown creations inspired by local flavours are drawing queues from all over the city. Whether you’re chasing the city’s crispiest croissant or the perfect afternoon coffee companion, these are the pastries that deserve a spot on every dessert lover’s hit list.
Alica Bakery – Cinnamon Bun
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Tucked away in the peaceful surroundings of Port de La Mer, Alica Bakery has built a loyal following for its beautifully laminated pastries and slow mornings by the waterfront. Its Cinnamon Bun is the standout – soft, buttery and generously scented with warming spice without becoming overly sweet. Pair it with a flat white and you’ve got one of Dubai’s most relaxing breakfast stops.
Arabian Tea House – Luqaimat
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Not every great pastry needs butter. Arabian Tea House serves some of the city’s most satisfying Luqaimat – crisp golden dumplings drizzled with rich date syrup and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Warm, fluffy and deeply rooted in Emirati tradition, they’re an essential Dubai dessert experience.
Bageri Form – White Chocolate and Coconut Pain Suisse
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Dubai’s Scandinavian bakery darling continues to set the benchmark for Nordic baking. This summer, tuck into one of their seasonal specials – the White Chocolate and Coconut Pain Suisse, which is everything you’d hope for: beautifully twisted layers, light coconut, plenty of butter and just the right balance of sweetness. The Swiss brioche, with a twist.
Beurre Bakery – Beurre’s Cheesecake
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A bite-sized cheesecake housed in a flaky, crispy, uber buttery casing of pastry – that is Beurre’s Cheesecake, a signature you cannot miss at this homegrown spot. Crack it open, and a rich, fruity, strawberry filling pours out.
Birch Bakery – Burnt Emirati Honey and Sea Salt Croissant
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Birch has become one of Dubai’s most respected artisan bakeries thanks to its meticulous approach to fermentation and locally inspired flavours. The Burnt Emirati Honey and Sea Salt Croissant is flaky tribute to local flavours – an all-butter croissant glazed with caramelized Emirati honey and finished with a touch of sea salt.
bkry – Pecan Salted Caramel Croissant
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If there’s one pastry that defines Dubai’s modern bakery movement, it’s bkry’s Pecan Salted Caramel Croissant. Fresh-milled grains, exceptional lamination and a perfectly balanced filling of toasted pecan frangipane and salted caramel make this one of the city’s most celebrated bakes.
BRIX Café – Mille-Feuille
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Known for pushing pastry boundaries, BRIX transforms the classic French Mille-Feuille into croissant form. Expect crisp, buttery layers sandwiched with creamy vanilla mascarpone, orange vanilla jam, and candied orange peel for a citrusy, BRIX twist on a crowd favourite.
Crave Bakehouse – Crème Brûlée Cheesecake
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Few desserts have enjoyed quite the rise of the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake, and Crave Bakehouse delivers one of Dubai’s finest versions. Burnt on the outside, impossibly creamy in the centre and wonderfully rich, it’s the sort of dessert that disappears far quicker than intended.
Flaky Pastry Croissant Co. – Almond Double Baked Croissant
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Few places understand croissants quite like Flaky Pastry Croissant Co. Their Almond Double Baked Croissant delivers everything pastry lovers crave: crisp layers, buttery richness and a generous almond filling that’s indulgent without becoming heavy.
Home Bakery – Chewy Melt Cookie
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One of Dubai’s original homegrown bakery success stories, Home Bakery still draws crowds for its famous Chewy Melt Cookie. Thick, gooey and loaded with molten chocolate, it’s a nostalgic favourite that has become almost as iconic as the brand itself.
Juntas – Swirly Chocolate Babka
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This little Portuguese bakery in Al Mizhar is where you need to be to get some knockout sourdough pastries in Dubai, free from yeast, preservatives and synthetics. Inspired by the undisturbed calm and connect of the Portuguese countryside, this is an intimate space, rooted in community. Try the Swirly Chocolate Babka – flaky, fresh and rich.
Kneaded Bakery – P&B Croissant
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A proper P&B croissant should shatter at first bite before revealing a rich, buttery filling. Knead Bakery nails the brief with beautifully laminated pastry, drizzled with melted chocolate and a filling that’s indulgent without overwhelming the buttery layers.
Milk Bakery – Honey Kiri Croissant
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Milk Bakery has become one of Dubai’s most exciting neighbourhood bakehouses, and its Honey Kiri Croissant is a brilliant example of East meeting West. Crispy, buttery dough is layered with creamy cheese and softened by honey for a tribute to a local favourite combination – ideal for breakfast or lunch alongside speciality coffee.
Image credit: @beurrebakery.ae on Instagram
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
Contact me: zainab@nommemag.com
