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