I’ve taste-tested lots of Dubai chocolate, but this bar is the best

Godiva’s take on Dubai-style chocolate is just what you’d think of when imagining any treat from the well-known chocolatier – creamy, velvety and rich. The pistachio filling contains a small amount of kadayif, which offers a delicate crunch.

Made in Turkey, Godiva uses pistachios from the Antep region in each bar, which have a more noticeable sweetness compared to the other options I tried. There’s not quite as much crispness as other bars, such as the Patislove, but when chilled, the bar is perfectly crunchy, and has a great snap. For a bar that’s easy to get hold of, has all the right fillings, and is perfectly moreish, you can’t go wrong.

One of Aldi’s recent Specialbuys, the Patislove bar is incredibly well priced at less than £5 a pop. The bar is filled with a smooth and mild pistachio cream, that’s so creamy it tastes almost like a Kinder Bueno. Unlike other so-called Dubai-style chocolates, which are really just chocolates with pistachio cream, this chocolate includes kadayif pieces, making it close to the original Dubai chocolate. It’s a delicious addition that puts this chocolate into the top spot - the filling has a perfect crispness to balance the indulgent chocolate cream.

The milky chocolate was thick enough to add a layer of sweetness, without overpowering the pistachio flavours, and had a rich and creamy flavour. The only thing that the bar was lacking was a bit more of an authentic, earthy taste to the pistachio. But unless you’re a nut connoisseur, you’re unlikely to miss it.

I was really impressed with the Patislove bar’s value for money, offering a taste of Dubai-style chocolate for the lowest price I’ve seen yet. Best of all, unlike other supermarkets, there’s no limit on how many you can buy – but there’s no guarantee it’ll be in store.

When I reviewed all the Dubai-style chocolate products with some happy family members, several immediate reactions were that the Läderach slab was the most authentic option, and beautifully reminiscent of the famous Dubai chocolate.

Combining Läderach’s creamy milk chocolate, a pistachio filling blended with crispy baked kataifi, roasted pistachio pieces and almond gianduja, each bite is a feast for the senses. There's a slight saltiness to the flavour, which cuts through the sweetness well. The chocolate has a perfect crack, and its thin layer is just enough. It’s a perfectly delicious chocolate.

The only issue is that Läderach is a luxury chocolatier. Online, this bar costs a whopping £32, so it’s not one you grab in a supermarket alongside a meal deal. Although, it does work out at £10.50 per 100g, which is pretty on par with other brands (plus you’re getting a taste of true luxury chocolate). If you want to spend a bit less, you can go to the shop in person and buy a small 50g square for around £5. If you fancy treating yourself to a little luxury, this is the best buy. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent and just can’t get enough of the chocolate, Läderach sells a mighty 1.2kg slab (£126, Laderach.com), but again, that won’t work for everyone.

I was really excited to try out M&S’s “the big daddy” bar, as it has been sold out every time I've been into the shop for months. The first thing I noticed was the sheer size of the bar. At 280g, it's a thick, chunky beast. It’s totally indulgent; the pistachio filling is smooth and nutty with a toasted flavour, which adds a nice amount of depth. The filling was thick and more like a paste than other bars with crèmes.

Unique to this bar is the addition of sweet and sticky caramel, which M&S haven’t scrimped on at all. You get a good amount with each bite, and it has a slight saltiness to it, which balances the sweetness of the chocolate. While the bar is missing the crispy pastry that characterises true Dubai-style chocolate, the caramel is a welcome substitution.

Read the full M&S the big daddy pistachio bar review now

I have to admit a certain amount of bias here. I usually avoid of Lindt chocolate and the brand’s Lindor truffles. Though I find the chocolate creamy and smooth, it’s a little too sickly-sweet for me.

The bar has a particularly great snap, which is something I’ve noticed about Lindt chocolate in the past. The overall taste is rather rich, which is ideal for a little treat. Unlike some other bars, the filling is made up of a pistachio paste, rather than crème.

I found it a little too cloying, but my family liked it, so if you love Lindt chocolate already, this might be the bar for you.

We all agreed, however, that there wasn’t enough filling to balance the flavour of the chocolate. If you’re not a huge fan of pistachio, but want to try out what all the fuss is about, it’s got a pleasant, high-quality taste.

Hotel Chocolat's selector selection is a great way to try out a variety of flavours at a reasonable price. I frequently pick up a mix of selectors when I'm looking to try something new – cherry and dark chocolate, creamy amaretto biscuits, and now, pistachio-filled chocolates.

Each pack contains six chocolates and is a solid entryway to those who want to dip their toes into the world of pistachio chocolate but prefer a smoother blend. The silky, nutty filling is encased in a caramel-milk chocolate, which, when placed together, almost gives a coconutty flavour.

As Hotel Chocolat’s chocolate is so deliciously rich, creamy and packed full of flavour alone, each piece tastes better when enjoyed in one bite. Otherwise, chocolate is the main flavour. This chocolate is also missing knafeh, kadayif, or kataifi pieces, so while it’s a delicious pistachio chocolate, it’s not quite a Dubai-style chocolate.

It isn't just the chocolate world that has seen the addition of Dubai-style flavours, with even bakeries now incorporating pistachios into biscuits, pastries and cakes. Cutter & Squidge are currently offering tweely-named “biskies” – a cross between a cake and a cookie – sandwiched with a pistachio and kadayif ganache and chocolate buttercream. On top, there's a sprinkling of crispy gold pearls, crushed pistachios and glossy green chocolate.

There's only a small amount of kadayif in the middle, but once you get into it, it’s deliciously creamy and nutty. The buttercream is light and fluffy, and softens the rich chocolate biskie. I particularly enjoyed the addition of chopped pistachios, which was what gave each bite a bit more texture.

The biskies aren’t particularly pistachio-heavy, but then, if each biskie were stuffed with pistachio filling, it would likely be too sickly. At nearly £30 per box (or £32.99 for the giant size), these desserts aren’t cheap, but they’re a lovely treat or gift.