Dubai-inspired sweets continue to shape city menus
Throughout the year, Dubai’s viral desserts have repeatedly influenced Hyderabad’s food scene, inspiring cafes to experiment with dramatic, indulgent formats that thrive on both taste and visual appeal. From pistachio kunafa chocolates to richly layered, chocolate-heavy creations, Gulf-inspired sweets have steadily found a loyal audience in the city.
As 2025 draws to a close, Hyderabad is ending the year on a sugary high with yet another Dubai-inspired concept — the chocolate shawarma, recently introduced at Etsi Cafe.
What is a chocolate shawarma?
The dessert reimagines the popular savoury street-food shawarma as a sweet spectacle. Instead of meat, a rich chocolate cake is mounted on a vertical rotisserie, slowly rotating much like a traditional shawarma spit.
As the cake warms, soft layers are shaved directly off the rotisserie, creating delicate ribbons of chocolate sponge. These are then served on a bed of crepe, generously finished with chocolate sauces, pistachio spread and fresh strawberries, blending indulgence with theatrical presentation.
The concept draws inspiration from Dubai’s fine-dining scene. In July 2025, celebrated chef Hemant Oberoi introduced a dramatic chocolate shawarma at Indikaya in Dubai, where dark and milk chocolate ribbons were carved tableside, turning dessert into a performance. Etsi’s Hyderabad version adapts this idea into a café-friendly format, making the experience more accessible while retaining its visual flair.
Hyderabad’s growing love for global dessert trends
The chocolate shawarma is the latest addition to Hyderabad’s expanding list of globally inspired desserts. Earlier this year, the viral pistachio kunafa chocolate bar, popularised by Dubai-based Fix Dessert Chocolatier, triggered widespread recreations across the city. Bakeries and cafés rolled out their own versions featuring crunchy kataifi pastry and pistachio-filled chocolate shells.
Other Dubai favourites, including the indulgent Matilda chocolate cake, karak chai-inspired desserts and intensely chocolate-forward treats, have also made their way onto local menus.
A shift in café culture
Food observers say these trends reflect a broader shift in Hyderabad’s café culture, where Instagram-friendly desserts with strong global origins are quickly localised. Cafés are increasingly balancing visual drama, rich flavours and shareability, catering to a generation that enjoys both indulgence and experience.
With the chocolate shawarma now joining the list, Hyderabad’s appetite for Dubai-inspired desserts shows no sign of slowing down.