Where to Find Dubai Chocolate
5 places serving globally famous chocolate. Plus: the week's restaurant and bar openings.
Dubai chocolate cheesecake from Al Wadi Coffee House. Photo by Sophie Bolich.
Creamy, crunchy, complex and — most of all — unique. Even before going megaviral, Dubai chocolate had all the makings of a crowd-favorite treat.
Earlier this year, the internet sensation made its way to Milwaukee, coinciding with the growing popularity of Yemeni-style coffee shops.
But what is Dubai chocolate, exactly? And where can you find it?
Traditionally a mix of chocolate, kataifi pastry, pistachio cream and tahini, the dessert traces its roots back to the 13th century. A cookbook from that era, according to Smithsonian Magazine, includes an early recipe for knafeh — a similar dessert made without chocolate.
Nearly 800 years later, Dubai chocolate shot to global fame in December 2023, when an influencer posted a video of herself eating a bar of the cream-filled treat.
With more than 7 million likes to date, the post sparked a wave of creators who began putting their own spin on the dessert — using its components to flavor coffees, cheesecakes, fresh fruit and more.
Here are five Milwaukee-area spots to get your Dubai Chocolate fix.
Melt Chocolates
For a classic experience, Melt Chocolates offers handmade Dubai chocolate bars featuring dark chocolate, pistachios and kadayif (or kataifi). Finished with splatters of bright green cocoa butter, the bars retail for $20 each and are available to purchase online.
Shipping is paused for the summer, but orders are available for pickup at Lincoln Warehouse, 2018 S. 1st St.
Al Wadi Coffee House
This new arrival to Milwaukee offers an assortment of Dubai chocolate-flavored menu items, including cheesecake, dessert cups, brownies and bars.
Located at 200 W. Layton Ave., the community-focused cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Gordo’s Bubble Waffles
Known for its over-the-top treats, Gordo’s offers a next-level twist on Dubai chocolate, incorporating scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, pistachio cream, chocolate drizzle, and crispy kataifi into one of its signature bubble waffle cones.
The dessert shop has locations at 1633 W. Wells St. and 2301 S. Howell Ave. Online ordering is available.
Baya Bar
It’s not all kale smoothies at Baya Bar — the health-focused cafe recently debuted a seasonal menu featuring two takes on Dubai chocolate: an acai bowl and fruit-topped toast.
The chain opened its first Milwaukee location at 2220 N. Prospect Ave. in April.
Wisconsin State Fair
Starting July 31, fairgoers can cool off with a Dubai chocolate strawberry smoothie from Caribbean Smoothees.
The drink, featuring a strawberry base with pistachio butter, shredded kataifi and chocolate drizzle, is a finalist in the Wisconsin State Fair’s 2025 Drinkies competition.
New Coffee Shop Opens in Bay View
Vendetta Coffee Bar’s newest location opened its doors Thursday morning, allowing the whir of its espresso grinder and the low hum of customer conversation to mingle with the sound of bicycles whizzing by outside.
The cafe — Vendetta’s third — replaces Interval at 2268 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Its June 26 soft opening coincided with the Bay View stop for Tour of America’s Dairyland, a multi-day, annual road race series featuring some of the fastest professional cyclists from across the world.
Though setup was in full swing — with timing mats and metal barriers lining Kinnickinnic Avenue — quite a few coffee lovers made their way through the fray to Vendetta, filling tables inside or perching on benches scattered throughout the adjacent plaza.
Since announcing initial plans for the expansion last month, Bill Haley and Tom Orlando completed an accelerated transformation of the Bay View building, turning Interval’s light and airy cafe space into a fitting home for Vendetta’s edgier, more moody vibe.
Monterrey Market Opens Third Location, Its Biggest Yet
Monterrey Market celebrated its arrival on Milwaukee’s West Side Thursday morning, marking the occasion with raffles, free samples — and even an a guest appearance from Cheetos mascot Chester Cheetah.
Located in a former Walmart at 7025 W. Main St., the new store is the third for the local grocery chain, which also operates stores at 3014 S. 13th St. and 3920 S. 27th St.
Robert Montemayor, who owns Monterrey Market with his wife, Leonor, was joined by family members, store employees and area Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
But before breaking out the oversized scissors, Montemayor reflected on the business’s 15-year journey — from its 8,900-square-foot flagship store to the newest, 39,905-square-foot market.
MARN Closing Third Ward Cafe
Milwaukee Artist Resource Network (MARN) is winding down operations at its Historic Third Ward art and culture hub amid a “strategic refocus on mission-driven programming,” the nonprofit announced Thursday.
After more than four years at 191 N. Broadway, the public-facing cafe, marketplace and gallery will close its doors at the end of the month. However, MARN said it plans to maintain a presence in the Third Ward following the closure.
“We believe this neighborhood is essential to the city’s creative and cultural identity, and we’re proud to continue being part of it,” the arts-focused organization wrote in a news release. “Our new temporary location will be announced soon, as we carefully plan our next steps.”
But those next steps — at least for now — won’t include the cafe, according to MARN, which cited lofty overhead and management costs with consuming “a significant portion” of its resources, diverting from “what matters most: our artists and members.”
AJ Bombers Announces Closing Date
A popular downtown burger joint known for its peanuts and graffitied walls will shutter by year’s end.
AJ Bombers, which has operated for 16 years at 1247 N. Water St., will close its doors in late 2025, Benson’s Restaurant Group announced Thursday morning. The group, which operates five additional eateries across Milwaukee, did not share an exact closing date.
David Marcus, owner of Benson’s and CEO of Marcus Investments, attributed the decision to the company’s overall health, noting that the closure “made the most business sense for our restaurant group as we look to the future.”
The hospitality company has expanded rapidly in recent years, focusing largely on higher-end dining experiences with restaurants like The Bridgewater Modern Grill and The Edison. It was also involved in the opening of The New Fashioned, located just blocks from AJ Bombers in Deer District, and recently entered new partnerships with the Milwaukee Athletic Club and Sandhill Tree Farm.
Franchisee Shares Plans For Tropical Smoothie Cafe
A new Tropical Smoothie Cafe — the second for Milwaukee — is proposed to open at 626 E. Ogden Ave.
The business, according to franchisee Yash Patel, aims to satisfy an increasing demand for fresh, healthy options in the area, located near the meeting of the Lower East Side, Yankee Hill and East Town neighborhoods.
“After COVID-19, we saw a lot of people make that shift toward healthier food,” he said. “I think Downtown Milwaukee — especially that area next to a college and residential apartment buildings — is going to be a good fit.”
An experienced franchisee, Patel also operates Subway restaurants and liquor and convenience stores throughout Milwaukee, Racine and Burlington. He became involved with Tropical Smoothie through a development agreement several years ago, but faced challenges stemming from a “tough real estate market.”
7 Brew Plans Second Milwaukee Cafe
The seven-item menu that earned 7 Brew Coffee its name quickly expanded after the chain’s 2017 launch. In turn, the fast-growing company is also increasing its local presence, with two new locations upcoming in Milwaukee.
The first is planned for a half-acre site at 3702 S. 27th St., formerly home to Wong’s Wok, Urban Milwaukee reported in May. A second is slated to open at 350 W. Layton Ave., near Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Previously a 1.76-acre site, the Layton Ave. property was split in 2022 following a proposal to develop two fast-food restaurants: Taco John’s and Popeyes. The former opened in 2023, while the fried chicken chain never came to fruition.
Now, MilBrew Holdings, LLC, with design firm Excel Engineering, seeks to redevelop the vacant, 0.69-acre parcel with a 530-square-foot building featuring a walk-up order window as well as a double drive-thru lane. Plans also call for a 250-square-foot standalone cooler and additional parking spaces.
New Bar and Restaurant Proposed For Harambee Neighborhood
Olympia Johnson and Demetrius Brooks are rehabilitating a Harambee building with plans to open a new bar and restaurant, Soul of a Starr, at 3001 N. Richards St.
It’s the first hospitality venture for the business partners, though both are lifelong Milwaukeeans — and they intend to keep the community in focus as the project takes shape.
“We felt like it was a good area,” Johnson said of the property, which sits on a largely residential block just steps from Riverwest. “We’ve had a chance to meet all the neighbors, and some have actually come in to help paint and set up.”
Once open, the partners envision Soul of a Starr as a seamless addition to the neighborhood, with an approachable menu, a wide selection of traditional and non-alcoholic drinks, and plenty of room — inside and out — to kick back with friends and family.
Catering Company Plans Lincoln Avenue Cafe
For years, Brim Cafe and Catering has powered Milwaukee lunch hours at its corporate-focused locations and fueled festivities in venues across the state.
Now, the company is preparing to expand with a standalone cafe in Lincoln Village, drawn by the neighborhood’s history, welcoming atmosphere and “multicultural character,” according to a social media post from chef and owner Michael Wahhab.
Brim Cafe is slated to open at 620 W. Lincoln Ave., across from the Basilica of St. Josaphat, in the former Li’l Friar gift shop — a space the Franciscan Friars have entrusted to the business as its “second home.”
The “first-of-its-kind” cafe plans to offer breakfast, lunch and weekly specials, along with espresso drinks and smoothies, according to the post. It would also serve as a hub for events and catering, blending American, Arabic and Sicilian influences “to meet the distinct character of Lincoln Village.”
Julie Mae’s Plans Mid-Summer Opening on Northwest Side
No matter the setting — from counter-service seafood joints to basement blues lounges — food has always been the focal point for industry veterans Craig and Rita Willis.
Now, the couple is returning to their roots with a new concept built around scratch-made family recipes.
Julie Mae’s Southern Cooking is set to open this summer, bringing comforting entrees, fresh salads and homestyle sides to a former Pizza Hut at 7604 W. Burleigh St.
Urban Milwaukee first reported on the license application for the restaurant last week and has since talked Craig Willis about the venture.
New Owners Hope to Revitalize Koppa’s Fulbeli Deli
Koppa’s Fulbeli Deli, with its whitewashed walls and royal blue block lettering, has been a fixture of Farwell Avenue since the 1980s. It’s witnessed the rise of restaurants like Rice N Roll Bistro and Comet Cafe, and — like those neighbors — has kept the community fed.
In turn, customers have kept the business thriving for more than four decades, drawn by its acclaimed deli sandwiches and wide selection of pantry staples and liquor — and staying for the kitschy decor, friendly service and free Atari.
Now under new ownership, the store is poised for change this summer as Ram Mohan Rao Chekkala and his partners at 3 Eye, LLC work to beautify the building, grow inventory and expand the deli program — revived in 2023 by previous owners after a period of inactivity.
“We wanted to make some really big changes with the deli department, because that’s the core of the store — the name itself is Fulbeli Deli, and it’s been known as that for the last 40 years,” said Chekkala, who officially took over in late May. Since then, he has been tracking customer preferences — data he’ll use use to fine-tune the menu and expand the selection to include salads, cookies, pies and even a new cuisine, like Indian, depending on demand.
How to Eat In Piggsville
If you are not familiar with the Piggsville neighborhood, you might want to bring out your GPS to find this enclave located south of Wisconsin Avenue and north of Interstate 94. Then you will not get lost as I did, twice! It is a tiny square, just six blocks from south 39th Street to South 44th Street. It is also the home of the Valley Inn, the sole commercial enterprise in Piggsville and a popular gathering place for locals.
The Valley Inn began as a bar, Hutterer’s Hut, named after the Hutterer family who opened it in 1959. The current owner, Jim Hutterer, was born on the second floor of the Hut three months after his parents opened the bar and in 1996, he took ownership and changed the name to the Valley Inn. Hutterer’s Hut started out as a typical Milwaukee corner bar until Jim Hutterer added a menu that exceeds ordinary bar food.
From eight chicken sandwich choices on the menu, you cannot miss if you order the chicken cordon bleu. Mine was breaded chicken topped with ham and Swiss on a grilled Kaiser roll. If this sounds ordinary, it was not. The breading was crisp and the chicken breast juicy and tender. It came from the kitchen so quickly that the butter was still sizzling on the roll.
A couple of other chicken sandwiches of note included a grilled chicken breast with cheddar and pepperjack cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and caramelized onions, and the M.I.D. with grilled chicken breast, Buffalo hot sauce, jalapeno peppers, jack cheese, ranch dressing, and coleslaw.
1840 Shuttering Bay View Brewery
After nearly eight years in business, Bay View-based 1840 Brewing Company is closing.
The brewery, 342 E. Ward St., announced the closure in a Facebook post Friday evening, attributing the decision to both market pressures and a personal health battle.
“It has been an amazing honor to serve you over the last (almost) 8 years! We are so grateful for the connections, friendships, collaborations, and memories we have made together. We will cherish them forever,” wrote husband-and-wife founders Kyle and Stephanie Vetter.
In Friday’s announcement, the Vetters said the burdens of running a small brewery amid difficult industry conditions—combined with Stephanie’s illness—prompted the closure.
Tootsie’s Tea Moving to Near West Side
Eight years ago, Lizz Tsosie Stachura bought a package of coconut tea at an Arizona farmers market. It wasn’t just a new flavor — it was the start of a new career.
“When I ran out of it, I could not find it anywhere,” said Tsosie Stachura, who searched high and low for the original vendor, then ordered coconut tea from “every tea person in the U.S.” in pursuit of that life-changing blend. Months later, still empty-handed, she resorted to making her own.
“I essentially just looked at my tea and kind of reverse-engineered it,” she said.
As it turned out, Tsosie Stachura had a knack for tea-making. Today, she runs her own business, Tootsie’s Tea, offering small-batch, loose-leaf blends — many featuring locally grown and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Temple Goddess Brings Plant-Based Options to Farwell Avenue
A colorful tapestry hangs behind the counter at Temple Goddess. Woven in bright shades of green, turquoise, gold and vermilion, it depicts a woman in a flowing dress, belly dancing amid a crowd of musicians. Lush plants, overflowing fruit bowls and ornate teapots fill the background.
The artwork suits the plant-based restaurant, whose new Lower East Side location is modestly decorated with spiritual statues, posters and symbols. It’s also a familiar sight at 1978 N. Farwell Ave., where years ago the same tapestry hung inside Abu’s Jerusalem of the Gold.
Co-owner Eve Savva said customers first recognized the tapestry when Temple Goddess was operating at Crossroads Collective. “It seemed like people were familiar with it — like it was kind of touching on a nice nostalgia from Abu’s.”
But Savva’s tapestry didn’t come from the former Middle Eastern restaurant — she acquired it years ago while studying dance in New York.
Existing members must be signed in to see the interactive map. Sign in.
If you think stories like this are important, become a member of Urban Milwaukee and help support real, independent journalism. Plus you get some cool added benefits.
Now Serving
-
Ruby J’s Restaurant Shifts to Catering
Jun 22nd, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
-
Get ‘A Taste of Juneteenth’ at Summerfest
Jun 15th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
-
Ruby’s Is Open
Jun 8th, 2025 by Sophie Bolich
