Release History
The Dubai chocolate phenomenon has made its waves around the internet in 2024 and into 2025. Essentially, they are chocolate bars with a center of pistachio cream, kadaif, and tahini and were first popularized by a chocolatier in Dubai. Then, in 2024, social media influencers and foodies took the hype to a whole new level. Brands quickly caught on and invented their own take on it, including Shake Shack, Crumbl, and more.
Those wanting the authentic chocolate bar experience could find it online and eventually at some retailers. Many companies started to produce them, but despite this (even at the time of this writing), costs remain high. Each bar from these companies was seemingly different, whether it be different chocolate-to-filling ratios, slightly different ingredients, or sometimes completely new takes altogether.
Lindt was one of the many companies that got involved. According to a post on Instagram detailing its early history, they released a small batch in December 2024 at their New York City location, which quickly sold out. Then, more were released at select locations, and eventually, a wider release around July 2025, again for a limited time. Prices generally fell around $15 per bar.
I found this Lindt bar at Target in early August 2025.
Review
According to reviews online so far of Lindt’s Dubai Chocolate Bar, while most enjoy it, there are numerous complaints about the lack of filling. That is, it’s mostly their regular milk chocolate shell that surrounds the little amount of Dubai-based filling being offered. Coupled with the high cost, it has received low ratings and reviews overall.
What did I think of it?
I would say it’s a 95% regular, creamy, sweet Lindt Milk Chocolate Bar—you know, the bar in the red packaging. Honestly, if you blindfolded me, I would say this is just a slightly crispy version of it, nothing more, nothing less. Indeed, the filling on the inside is very thin and, to me, flavorless, but it does provide a mild crispy crunch every few chews… hooray, I guess?
Perhaps I’m a fool; I did expect a lot more nuance—something—anything—that would stand out or be worth mentioning. Unfortunately, truth be told, there isn’t much else to say. It’s disappointing, to say the least—I really feel like I was duped into buying their regular chocolate bar at a premium price! Sure, it’s a little more crunchy, but that’s all it could offer? Really? The proclaimed pistachio flavor was completely absent! It genuinely feels like they sullied any notion of “Dubai chocolate.”
Do yourself a favor and don’t buy these. A regular Lindt bar is more than enough, and frankly, their other flavored bars are so much better.
Going back to what other reviewers were saying—yeah, they’re right. The filling and cost per bar are ridiculous. Simply put, $15 for this is overpriced. I’d like to see it cut in half at minimum and, personally, for it to be more generously stashed with filling so we could actually taste what they’re trying to advertise!
It’s still a tasty bar, just nothing like as advertised and stupidly overpriced.
Score: 7 / 10
