Shake Shack Dubai Chocolate Shakes for All
The chain tested its take on the viral sweet treat in three cities in April, and is now releasing the limited-edition drink to menus nationwide.

Photo courtesy of Shake Shack
If you’ve been paying attention to social media-famous foods recently, the words “Dubai” and “chocolate” probably have you thinking one thing: Pistachios. If you aren’t chronically online, you’re probably a bit confused. But it all comes back to one viral video in 2023 which, according to CNN, turned a boutique chocolate shop’s pistachio-filled milk chocolate bar into a social media sensation.
The TikTok- and Instagram-famous chocolate bar comes from Dubai’s Fix Dessert Chocolatier, which started making their “Can’t Get Knafeh of It” bar in 2021. The playful name alludes to knafeh, the Arab dessert consisting of sweet cheese, pistachios and shredded phyllo. However, as a relatively small shop, availability of its coveted confection was initially limited to only those who could make the trek to Dubai to get it. Thus dupes, recipes and homages popped up worldwide, including at burger chain Shake Shack.
Shake Shack first launched a Chocolate Pistachio Dubai Shake in the United Arab Emirates last December, before testing it as a limited release in three U.S. cities in April of this year. So how does it attempt to capture the feeling of cracking into this deliciously decadent dessert? The brand says its version is “made with real pistachio frozen custard, blended with toasted kataifi shredded phyllo, coated in a crackable dark chocolate shell and then topped with chopped pistachios and crunchy kataifi for an unforgettable texture and flavor experience.”
“As Shake Shack continues to grow globally, we’re always looking for ways to bring exciting, internationally inspired flavors to our menu,” explained Jim Frisch, Director of Culinary & Commercialization at Shake Shack. “This shake was originally created for the UAE, inspired by the viral chocolate pistachio trend in Dubai. We used premium ingredients to give it a signature Shack spin, and when we introduced it in New York, LA, and Miami, the response was incredible. Nearly every Shack sold out each day, and it was clear fans across the country were eager to try it."
And now they can. The Chocolate Pistachio Dubai Shake, which is priced starting at $9.49, hits Shake Shack locations nationwide beginning Tuesday, June 24 for a limited time. A Shake Shack spokesperson tells us that they can only be ordered in-person (i.e. at the counter or kiosk) and each location will sell a limited number of shakes each day. With exclusivity like that, this milkshake is truly living up to its Dubai chocolate inspiration.
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