Chocolate stores in Dubai
allison nelson chocolate bar
That smell of chocolate. Nothing else is like it. It arouses and excites the senses like no other food. And now in Dubai, that smell of fine chocolate has suddenly become omnipresent.
Two years ago there were just a handful of specialty chocolate stores scattered around Dubai. Nowadays, we’ve seen an explosion in this space with local artisan chocolate producers as well as international franchises. Many of these new establishments have made their home at the Dubai Mall.
We went around town to put together this list of Dubai chocolate stores.
1. Galler
Jean Galler, who studied n Basel (Switzerland), then with Gaston Lenôtre in Paris, has built the Galler Chocolate empire over the last thirty years. Today the Belgian chocolatier produces fine pralines, ice-creams, chocolate pâtisseries, filled chocolate bars, as well as chocolate tablets, Cat’s tongues (cartoon cats moulded from chocolate), spreads, bite-sized chocolates.
Galler has several retail outlets (and cafés) in Dubai including Wafi (café), the Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and the Dubai Marina Mall.
» Website
2. Allison Nelson Chocolate Bar
This New York based establishment first opened in the West Village in New York City in 2002 by mother of two, Alison Nelson. The Chocolate Bar then expanded to a sophisticated café inside the Henri Bendel department store, as well as a third location on Long Beach Island, New Jersey.
From it’s two new locations in Dubai (Fashion Avenue at the Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar), Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar serves up coffee and retro-style chocolate. Here its not only about carzy flavors, but also about the packaging. Several artists have designed the “artist bars” as well as the “graffiti bars”.
Check out these truffle flavors too: salted caramel, cherry habanero and peanut butter sizzle.
» Website
3. Jeff de Bruges
Phillipe Jambon (a Frenchman) formed the Jeff de Bruge Belgian chocolate brand, naming it after the town of Bruges. They offer a huge variety of pralines, chocolate bars, marzipan, gift baskets and other sweets. Check them out at Mall of the Emirates, Ground Floor near Carrefour.
» Website
4. Patchi
The Lebanese brand formed by Nizar Choucair in 1974 has been at the forefront of boxed chocolate in the region. Focus here is on presentation and ornate gift packages for weddings, celebrations, and corporate gifts.
Patchi also tailor their product line to local markets, using locally preferred ingredients such as dates and almonds for the region.
Patchi has numerous stores throughout the city including Burjuman, Festival Center, Mall of the Emirates, and Mercato.
» Website
5. ChoCo’a
ChoCo’a is a Dubai based chocolatier formed in 2004. They import fine chocolate from Belgium, using it to make hand-crafted gourmet chocolates. Other products includes cakes, tarts and pastries which can be custom-made to suit the occasion. In addition, they can provide the services of in house graphic designers for customized packaging or products.
ChoCo’a is located in Al Barsha, across from Mall of the Emirates. They now also have a large stall on the first floor of the Dubai Mall, in close proximity to the ice rink.
» Website
6. Forrey and Galland
Isabelle Jaouen and Vincent Moret got together to form Forrey and Galland, a tribute to the old Parisian House of the same name. They certainly have one of the most sophisticated boutiques in the Dubai Mall. The duo bring their French expertise to locally produce chocolate topped with gold leaf, nuts, and intricate artwork. You will also find flavors as diverse as saffron, pepper, Ear Gray tea, and Omani Halwa.
Forrey and Galland also offer elaborate packaging that may include fresh flower arrangements as well.
» Website
7. Cacao Sampaka
Cacao Sampaka is a chocolate manufacturer which means they control the entire process from the cocoa bean to the end product and hence ensure quality. The Spanish brand has setup a sizable coffee shop on the Lower Level of the Dubai Mall where they serve cocoa drinks, mousses, pastries, and of course coffee.
Chocolate products include bonbons, chocolate bars, chocolate “temptations”, as well as, sauces, creams, and preserves. There is a purity of taste in their chocolate that is difficult to find elsewhere.
» Website
8. Vintage Chocolate Lounge
We stumbled upon the Vintage Chocolate Lounge hidden in the caverns of the Gold Souk in the Dubai Mall. But, once found the place is a delight serving unique chocolate based drinks and savories.
They will be relocating to the upper level next to Reel Cinema.
» Website
9. Leonidas
Leonidas is a Belgian fine chocolate franchise which imports their assortment of chocolate and serves up coffee at their Ibn Battuta store located across from Geant Hypermarket.
» Website
10. Godiva
This premium Belgian chocolatier was founded in 1926 in Brussels by Joseph Draps who named his first boutique after Lady Godiva. The chocolate includes truffles, coffee, cocoa, biscuits, dipped fruits and sweets, “Chocolixir” beverages, wedding and party favors and other items arranged in gift baskets.
You can find Godiva chocolates through their boutique on the Lower Level of the Dubai Mall.
» Website
11. Al Nassma
Al Nassma is in a class of it’s own because this local establishment doesn’t sell cow-milk chocolate; it sells camel-milk chocolate infused with spices arabia, bittersweet, dates, and macadamia nut & orange zest flavors.
The company sells chocolates through its Camelicious farm-attached store, as well as, an outlet in Mall of the Emirates.
» Read more about Al Nassma
» Website
12. Bateel
This Middle East brand is best known for their gourmet dates. However, Bateel also operates a chocolate factory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which churns out some fine truffles, pralines, and date-based chocolates.
What is your favorite chocolate store in Dubai? Know of a store missing from this list? Let us know.
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tags: dessert, food, shopping, visit dubai
Since its opening 2002, Fuala Chocolates have cultivated good taste and excellence, from entirely handmade chocolates to the elegance of their presentation. Fuala brand distinguishes itself from all others by its creativity and manufacturing processes that are state-of-the-art. Every ingredient is selected with great care to attain the highest quality.
At Fuala, all our employees are highly professional and fully committed to Fuala’s high standards of services. Fuala provides on-going training takes pride in regularly inviting globally renowned chefs to improve staffs skills and to delight palate with exciting new recipes. At each step in production, particular attention is paid to superb standards of hygiene and cleanliness.
Fuala constantly achieves perfection in providing its customers with tip quality , uniquely flavoured Begin chocolates. For Fuala, chocolate making is a labour of love and care.
Name of Fuala
Fuala name is extracted from nights of the beautiful era distinguished with original emirate hospitality full of taste and unique flavors.
Fuala the public name for the meaning of hospitality and reflects UAE peoples generosity and linked with this hospitable land.
To know more about Fuala please click on the below links :
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Fuala-Chocolate-Coffee-Sweet-Petitfours-confectioneries/176292237671?ref=ts
http://www.fuala.com
Enjoy it
Hi… I’m currently following a Diploma in Pastry and Bakery done by the Prima Group based in Singapore… I finish the diploma in july… I am greatly fascinated and intrigued by anything to do with chocolate and I would love to start off my career specializing in chocolate… My question is, how can I go about it? I’m 23 years old and I’m living in Sri Lanka… Please do get back to me as soon as convenient… Thank you!
Hi Adrian,
While we are not chocolate experts, we do know several people who have been interested or involved in the chocolate business.
The first thing to do is further your education in chocolate making. There are several online courses you can do which will introduce you to the essential chocolate concepts, history, tastes and flavors, presentation, molds, and distribution. There are also more advanced chocolate making courses available.
One of the most comprehensive education sites for chocolate is the Ecole Chocolate Program. Depending on your desires either the Professional Choclatier Program or the Chocolate Making from the Bean Program could be a good fit. These courses are 3 or 2 months respectively and are given online. The cost is about US$500 and US$400 respectively.
More importantly, finding the right ingredients can be difficult. Many times you will need couverture chocolate for your courses (and your business). This is not easy to get, but it is available in large quantities from suppliers in Belgium or even from a few vendors in Dubai (who cater to restaurants). Other supplies you will need are molds, transfer-sheets, parchment paper, thermometers, and possibly equipment for tempering. Some supplies are available in specialty stores in Dubai, and others can be mail ordered from Europe or the US.
After this you’ll need to get a business plan together and think about what type of chocolate you want to make, how to market and to whom. There’s a lot else to think about, but this should get you started.
The Ed.
this is a excited article it have wonderful information aout chocolate store. The Middle East brand is best known for their gourmet dates.
have anybody heard of fuala in uae more than 18 showrooms one of the best chocolate shop in the country http://www.fuala.com
Hi Hussain, thanks for submitting this link! We’ll check it out and add Fuala to the list.
English link: http://www.fuala.ae/en/default.asp
Thanks!
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