CT Roundup: 10 Viral Food & Drink Trends That Took Over the Middle East In 2025

From doll-face desserts to caviar-topped snacks, this year the Middle East went all out in terms of food and beverage trends. It was purely chaotic, but kept us equally interested. The region just didn’t follow food trends, but even spread it globally in no time. So here’s a list of 10 Viral food and drink that made the Middle East go gaga over in 2025. 

Viral Food & Drink Trends That Took Over the Middle East In 2025

1. Labubu, Lafufu & Lanunu Desserts

The Labubu craze officially took over Dubai in 2025, and we tracked every sugary step. Doll-themed desserts shaped like Labubu became instant bestsellers across UAE cafés. Well, the faces with devil smiles were loved by the crowd and the internet. Places like Caia Oriental in Dubai rolled out Labubu cakes, while social media turned these desserts into must-order items.

The trend didn’t stop there. Riyadh welcomed Lanunu, Labubu’s Saudi cousin, who served alongside tea in a pocket-sized dessert format that felt playful and collectable. Between Dubai, the wider UAE, and Saudi Arabia, these desserts went viral more than we expected them to be.

2. Butter-Dipped Vanilla Soft-Serve

 

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Cairo introduced butter-dipped vanilla soft-serve to the globe. It was all about pouring warm, melted butter over cold vanilla ice cream. The salty-sweet combo felt bold, comforting and like a burst of flavours. That’s all it took for people to go beyond the gelato trend to end their meals on a sweet note, and for Cairo to find its 2025’s leading dessert that was viral and scrumptious.

3. Caviar Burger

Dubai witnessed the launch of an ultra-luxe snack. A limited-edition caviar burger at Junk Smash Burgers, where indulgence took centre stage. The burger arrived crowned with premium caviar, turning comfort food into a luxury flex.

4. Caviar Chicken Nuggets

As if one caviar moment wasn’t enough, we spotted Beau Café in Dubai offering viral caviar chicken nuggets, priced at AED 320. Crispy nuggets topped with glossy pearls of caviar became one of the city’s most talked-about snacks, and the demand was very real.

5. Paratha Smash Burger

 

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Then came the paratha smash burger, Dubai’s most viral food hit of the year. This creation swapped the standard bun for flaky Indian paratha, stuffed with smashed patties, sauces, and fillings that leaned heavily into comfort food.

The buttered layers and the unapologetic mess made this burger a social-media favourite and a repeat order for anyone who tried it.

6. Cake Shawarma 

Egypt entered the viral dessert club with sweet Shawarma. B.Laban introduced cake shawarma, a rotating spit covered with cake shaved just like savoury shawarma. Instead of meat, layers of cake, cream, and sauce.

7. Japanese Biryani

Japanese biryani, during its limited run in Dubai, took us by surprise. With flavours like shiitake mushrooms blending with fragrant biryani rice was not on our card for this year for sure. This dish incorporated Japanese ingredients with South Asian technique, creating a crossover that felt personal. Food lovers rushed in knowing that the trend would pass away in the blink of an eye. 

8. Angel Hair Chocolate

Just when people thought Dubai chocolate trends had peaked, Angel hair chocolate arrived. Similar to Dubai Chocolate but delicate, with thread-like stuffing, this chocolate bar went viral in Dubai and became available via Noon Minutes.

They also reported on Belgium’s version of angel hair chocolate, which foodies eagerly awaited in Dubai. Fine strands and elegant packaging pushed this trend straight into Instafeed.

9. Croissant Pizza

Croissant pizza officially landed in the UAE when Papa John’s launched its first croissant-based pizzas. Later, Dubai’s viral croissant pizza moments were reported across social media, where flaky pastry replaced traditional dough. Buttery layers, melted cheese, and familiar toppings made this a hit with pastry lovers and pizza loyalists.

Also Read: CT Roundup: 10 Newest Cafes And Restaurants Launches Of 2025 In The GCC That Created A Buzz!

10. Zero-Sugar Cola

After the popular Saudi brand Milaf gained attention for being a date-based drink, Dubai introduced Frio Cola, a zero-sugar beverage. It was introduced aiming at those cutting calories without missing out on the flavour. The drink quickly found its audience among health-conscious consumers looking for a lighter alternative to cola and sparked plenty of taste-test debates online.

Why These Trends Dominated 2025

Every item on this list had three things in common: visual appeal, curiosity, and potential to get viral within minutes. From Dubai to Cairo to Riyadh, these foods performed well across the region, and the internet made them trending. 

Cover Image Courtesy: Caia, Frio Lite/Instagram