Dubai has one of the world's most remarkable concentrations of Iranian sweet shops outside of Iran itself. Some have been operating since the 1980s, run by the same families, using the same recipes, supplying the same community customers who now bring their own children and grandchildren. These are not tourist traps or hotel patisseries. They are living institutions of the Iranian diaspora, and visiting them is one of Dubai's most authentic and affordable culinary experiences.
Shirini — the Persian word for sweets, literally meaning "sweetness" — encompasses an extraordinary range of confections: from multi-layer nut-packed baklava and soft date-filled qottab to saffron-laced sohan toffee brittle, chewy nougat gaz, and delicate rice flour cookies. This is a sweet culture with as much depth and regional variation as Persian savoury cooking.
The 9 Essential Iranian Sweets to Know
Baklava
Persian-style baklava is thinner and less sweet than Arab versions. Uses walnuts, pistachios, almonds and rose water-infused syrup.
Qottab
Deep-fried pastry half-moons filled with almonds, walnuts and cardamom, dusted with icing sugar. Yazd's most famous export.
Sohan
Saffron and rose water toffee brittle from Qom, studded with pistachios. Intensely fragrant and satisfyingly brittle.
Gaz
Isfahan's nougat — white, chewy, studded with whole pistachios and flavoured with rose water. The most recognisable Persian sweet internationally.
Nan-e Nokhodchi
Melt-in-the-mouth chickpea flour cookies with cardamom and pistachio. The classic Nowruz cookie — always on the haft-sin table.
Halva (Halva Ardeh)
Sesame paste halva — dense, crumbly, rich with tahini and perfumed with saffron and rose water. Cut into slabs and sold by weight.
Nan-e Berenji
Delicate rice flour cookies, perfumed with rose water and poppy seeds. Extremely fragile — they dissolve on the tongue. Best fresh.
Masghati
Translucent rose water and starch candy from Shiraz — wobbly, fragrant, with pistachio slivers on top. A uniquely Persian confection.
Zoolbia & Bamieh
Crispy saffron-fried funnel cake spirals (zoolbia) and oval fritters (bamieh) soaked in rose water syrup. Ramadan and Nowruz specials.
The Best Iranian Sweet Shops in Dubai
Iranian Sweets Co. — Deira
The elder statesman of Dubai's Iranian sweet scene. Established in 1986, this family-run bakery has been operating from the same Deira location for nearly four decades, supplying the Iranian community and hotel buffets alike. The baklava is their signature — multi-layered, walnut-heavy, and not excessively sweet. The nan-e berenji (rice cookies) are among the most delicate in the city.
Everything is made in their Al Quoze facility and delivered fresh daily. Box of mixed shirini starts at AED 35 — one of Dubai's best value food purchases.
Must Buy
- Multi-layer walnut baklava (AED 45/kg)
- Nan-e berenji rice cookies (AED 28/box)
- Qottab date pastries (AED 35/500g)
- Sohan saffron brittle (AED 55/gift box)
- Mixed shirini box (AED 35–80)
Shirini Iran — Deira
A true Iranian neighbourhood bakery that has been operating in Deira for decades. Shirini Iran is where Iranian grandmothers send their grandchildren when they need the exact taste of home. The qottab is particularly celebrated — soft inside, perfectly fried, not oily. The nan-e nokhodchi chickpea cookies are a revelation.
Smaller than Iranian Sweets Co. but arguably more consistent in quality on any given day. The display case changes seasonally with special items around Nowruz, Eid, and Ramadan.
Must Buy
- Qottab (AED 30/500g)
- Nan-e nokhodchi (AED 25/box)
- Pistachio baklava (AED 55/kg)
- Gaz nougat (AED 30/box)
- Nowruz mixed box (seasonal)
Tavazo — Multiple Locations
The premium Iranian dry goods and sweet emporium — the most accessible face of Persian food culture for Dubai residents who don't regularly visit Deira. Tavazo locations at Festival City, The Pointe, and elsewhere stock premium Iranian saffron, dried fruits, nuts, and a selection of Iranian sweets imported directly from Iran. Prices are higher but quality is unimpeachable.
The imported Iranian gaz (nougat) and sohan (saffron brittle) at Tavazo are among the most authentic available in Dubai, sourced directly from Isfahan and Qom.
Must Buy
- Isfahan Gaz (AED 35–65/box)
- Qom Sohan (AED 45–75/box)
- Premium Iranian saffron
- Mixed nut selection
- Rose water (for home cooking)
Iranian Sweets Palace — Al Satwa
Located on Wilson Building, 54th Street, Al Satwa — the go-to sweet shop for the Iranian community in the Al Satwa neighbourhood. The Iranian Sweets Palace offers pure Iranian traditionalism: no frills, no fancy packaging, just exceptional traditional sweets at community prices. Their chickpea cookies (nan-e nokhodchi) are frequently cited as Dubai's best.
Must Buy
- Nan-e nokhodchi (AED 20/box)
- Walnut baklava (AED 40/kg)
- Chickpea halva
- Masghati (seasonal)
- Gift assortment boxes
When to Buy Iranian Sweets in Dubai
🌸 Nowruz (Late March)
The peak season. Every sweet shop produces special Nowruz boxes. Nan-e nokhodchi is essential for the haft-sin table. Order ahead as popular items sell out quickly.
🌙 Ramadan
Zoolbia and bamieh are Ramadan-only items, made fresh for Iftar. Iranian sweet shops in Deira keep extended Ramadan hours — often until midnight.
🎁 Gifting Season
Premium boxed sohan and gaz from Tavazo are the most impressive Iranian food gifts in Dubai. The packaging is beautiful and the imported quality is excellent.
☕ Everyday Chai
A box of mixed shirini from any Deira shop (AED 35) pairs perfectly with Persian tea. This is how the Iranian community in Dubai marks every afternoon visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Iranian sweets suitable for vegans?
Many traditional Iranian sweets are vegan or dairy-free — baklava, qottab, gaz, sohan, and most nut-based pastries use no dairy. Always confirm ingredients, especially for items that may use clarified butter (sam-e roghani).
Can I take Iranian sweets as gifts back to my home country?
Packaged dry sweets like sohan, gaz, baklava, and cookies travel well and are generally fine to carry as gifts. Always check customs restrictions for your destination country.
What's the difference between Persian and Arab/Lebanese baklava?
Persian baklava is typically thinner, less sweet, and uses rose water as the primary flavouring alongside orange blossom water. It also tends to use walnuts more than Arab versions, which favour pistachios. The syrup is lighter, making Persian baklava less sticky.
Where is the best Deira area for an Iranian sweet shop crawl?
The area around Baniyas Road and Al Rigga, Deira. Start at Iranian Sweets Co., walk to Shirini Iran, browse the Iranian quarter, then take your box to a nearby chaikhaneh (tea house) for Persian chai with nabat rock sugar.