10 dessert cafes for Middle Eastern sweets

People flock to Creamery Soft Serve in Dammam for its black cone, which features Oreo-flavored soft serve wrapped in a 24-karat gold sheet. While this combination is the most eye-catching, the shop also offers specials that play with uniquely Middle Eastern flavors, like cardamom soft serve, pistachio waffle cones, saffron ice cream sandwiches and even an ice cream version of kunefe, a popular cheese-and-vermicelli dessert. Hours: 2-10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday; 3-11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday

This two-story chocolate cafe in Jeddah is a shrine to Belgian cacao, with a Saudi twist. Za’atar chocolate bark and qahwa-flavored chocolates molded into the shape of traditional dallah coffee urns are just a few of the unique treats on offer at the first Middle Eastern branch of this high-end Belgian cafe. Hours: 8 a.m.-midnight Saturday to Thursday; 8-11 a.m. and 1 p.m.-midnight Friday

In the University district of Al Hofuf, this stylish cafe is a favorite of coffee aficionados, but the stunning desserts are the real draw. Multilayered honey cake is drizzled with caramel tableside, and bright green pistachio cake is served à la mode in a bowl of nearly the same hue. The cafe’s most popular dishes are the pancakes and crepes that are served under a pool of artfully swirled dark and white chocolates. Hours: 1 p.m.-2 a.m. daily

The most exclusive dates in the world are grown by Bateel in Saudi Arabia. The organic, jewel-like fruits are sold in Bateel’s high-end boutiques and feature prominently on the dessert menus of its cafes. The dhibs millefeuille incorporates date syrup into the traditional layered French pastry, and chewy kholas dates are combined with crunchy pistachios for the kholas pie. But perhaps the most jaw-dropping dessert is the qahwa sundae, which combines Arabic-style coffee ice cream with mini-date pudding and whole rhutab dates. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-midnight daily

Opened by local Alhala Alfakher upon his return from Italy, where he fell in love with tiramisu, this cafe offers variations on the layered dessert as well as specialty coffee drinks, like the popular pistachio latte. Try saffron, honey cake or pistachio tiramisu at one of the 10 locations throughout Riyadh. Hours: 7 a.m.-midnight Saturday to Thursday; 1 p.m.-midnight Friday

The chic white and blue dining room of this small Riyadh cafe draws a consistent crowd. Regulars know to bypass the tempting pastry case and order the signature hot chocolate latte that comes topped with a mound of chocolate shavings. Served with a spoon, this beverage is more dessert than drink, and an absolute chocolate and coffee lover’s dream. Hours: 6 a.m.-midnight daily

This Irish cafe in Dammam is known for its chocolate truffles, and every hot beverage comes with a complimentary sweet on the side. The menu goes beyond chocolate candy with a staggering array of desserts, from fruit-filled chocolate orbs to sizzling brownie platters that are topped with molten chocolate tableside. The cafe also offers a few non-chocolate favorites, such as saffron and date cakes (which pair particularly well with hot chocolates and mochas). Hours: 7 a.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday to Wednesday; 7 a.m.-1:30 a.m. Thursday; noon-1:30 a.m. Friday

One of the most popular dessert cafes in Jeddah, Criollo Cafe is known for its oversized cookie skillets topped with ice cream, chocolate, caramel, and either almonds or lotus biscuits. Not to be overlooked are the Saudi milk cakes, made with rose milk and topped with a pistachio sauce. Order your dessert with a traditional dallah of Arabic coffee. Hours: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. daily

The charming, chandelier-lit dining room is reason enough to visit this Al Khobar cafe, but the luscious rose latte and elegant cakes seal the deal. Especially good are the lotus biscuit cheesecake, pistachio rose cake and the red velvet cake. Hours: 4 p.m.-midnight Monday to Thursday; 1 p.m.-midnight Friday; 8 a.m.-noon and 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday

Overlooking the fountain at the Zone Shopping Mall in Hitteen Square, the Riyadh branch of the famous New York City bakery serves up the rich banana pudding that put the original shop on the map, along with an array of miniature cheesecakes, pies and freshly baked cookies. Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday to Thursday; 1 p.m.-midnight Friday