Espresso Cafe L8
If you have seen a chocolate bar with a green, crunchy filling all over your feed, you have seen Dubai chocolate. The crunch comes from kunafa, and the green comes from pistachio. Here is what it actually is, and how to eat it in Liverpool.
What is kunafa?
Kunafa (also spelled kanafeh or knafeh) is a Middle Eastern dessert. It is made from very fine strands of pastry, called kataifi, baked or toasted in butter until golden and crisp. Traditionally it is layered with sweet cheese and soaked in syrup. It is served warm, and it is a favourite at celebrations and during Ramadan.
Where does Dubai chocolate come in?
Dubai chocolate takes the crunch of toasted kunafa and mixes it with smooth pistachio cream, then wraps it in chocolate. The result is creamy, nutty and crunchy in one bite. It spread worldwide because it looks as good as it tastes, and because the texture is different from a normal chocolate bar.
How we serve it at Espresso Cafe L8
We bring the same flavours to the dessert menu at 300 Park Road in Toxteth. You will find pistachio and kunafa in Dubai cookie dough, pancakes, French toast, crepes and milkshakes.
- Dubai cookie dough: cookie dough finished with pistachio cream and toasted kunafa.
- Crepes and pancakes: thin crepes or fluffy pancakes with chocolate, pistachio and a kunafa crunch.
- Milkshakes: the same flavours, cold, if you want something to sip while you eat.
When to come
We are open every day from 9am to 6pm. Hot food is served until 5pm, and desserts and drinks carry on until 6pm, so a late-afternoon dessert stop works well. Weekends can be busy, so booking a table is a good idea if you are coming with a group.
Good to know
- Pistachio and kunafa pastry are nut and gluten ingredients. If you have an allergy, tell the team when you order.