One of the Middle East’s most renowned confectionery brands recently opened its first café and sweet shop at The Boulevard in Downtown Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
Al Samadi Café and Sweets Shop has now introduced value for money breakfasts all week from 7.30 a.m. offering menus from Parisian and American to full Lebanese from AED28 to AED48. A Friday home-style brunch is also served from 11 a.m. to 3.00pm at AED65 per person and includes cold mezze, four hot dishes, soup and a selection of fresh Al Samadi sweets.
“With residents and visitors at Downtown Dubai enjoying Al Samadi’s relaxing outdoor terrace we decided to add breakfast and Friday brunches to our extensive menu.” said Daniel During, Managing Partner of Thomas Klein International, the company behind the re-branding and re-launch of Al Samadi.
As part of a planned chain of cafes, Al Samadi Café and Sweet Shop is offering a wide range of traditional Arabic sweets and pastries, hot and cold mezze, sandwiches, and salads all with a Franco-Lebanese twist.
“Since the late nineteenth century Al Samadi, founded in Beirut, has been creating enchanting Arabic sweets and European confectioneries renowned throughout the Middle East,” During added. “Our sweets are 100% traditional Lebanese and the Al Samadi environment evokes French refinement and a bygone age.”
The Middle East as a whole is regarded as one of the world’s top 10 markets for confectionery products with some analysts putting a total value on the regional market of $113 billion and growing. In the Gulf countries growth can be attributed to greater disposable income, the influence of young consumers and the traditional role of sweets in Arab culture. Despite fluctuations in the regional economy, confectionery sales are forecast to increase by as much as 15% over the coming decade.
Dubai itself has an active sweet and confectionery market and is home to almost 20 manufacturing companies producing a variety of sweets, chocolates, biscuits and confectionery for the domestic and international market.
“We believe our confectionery is unique, however,” said During “Our sweets vary in shape and size as they are not produced by machines. They are made by people with love and care and have authenticity in every bite.”
The Al Samadi Café and Sweet Shop is located opposite Qamardeen hotel on The Boulevard in Downtown Dubai (Old Town near Dubai Mall).
Opening times are: 7:30 am until 12 midnight.
Reservations: call from within the UAE 800 alsamadi (800 25726234) or if outside the UAE call +971 4 4329520
Prices from: AED 20
Type of cuisine: Lebanese.
