Shake Shack Has a New Milkshake Inspired by the Viral Dubai Chocolate Bar—Here’s How It Tastes

The Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake stars pistachio frozen custard, blended with toasted kataifi (aka shredded phyllo dough) in a crackable dark chocolate shell. It’s finished with more chopped pistachios and crunchy kataifi for good measure. Its creation was pretty kismet: Shake Shack’s culinary wizards had already been developing the chocolate coating when the international team shared the concept for the shake after a visit to the Middle East.

Its inspiration is the Dubai chocolate bar, which went viral in 2024. ICYMI, the treat stars a pistachio-tahini filling, dappled with crispy kataifi and encased in milk chocolate. The original, created by Fix Dessert Chocolatier, is called Can’t Get Knafeh of It, named after a Middle Eastern dessert made with the shredded phyllo, sweet cheese and an aromatic sugar syrup.

The milkshake launched in the region back in February, but it just hit menus at select locations in NYC, LA and Miami for a limited time. The shake starts at $8, a price that varies by location.

PureWow’s audience development strategist Nicole Frazzini tasted it herself—and it didn’t disappoint.

“What makes a Dubai chocolate bar so unique goes beyond its taste,” she says. “If you’re in the know, then you know it’s really all about that signature crunch. That’s exactly what makes the Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake such a clever interpretation of the trend. The cup is lined with a dark chocolate shell that you get to crack before diving into the milkshake, and it’s such a satisfying feeling that’s totally reminiscent of the trendy chocolate bar.”

Of course, like any milkshake, the best part is the mix-ins. “There are so many delicious textures to enjoy, from the crunchy kataifi (my favorite part) to the creamy pistachio-vanilla custard to the salty, savory pistachios,” Frazzini adds. “As someone who absolutely loves pistachio ice cream and gelato, this shake was right up my alley. The savoriness of the pistachio dims the sweetness of the custard, so it’s not too sugary-sweet. My only note is that I wish there was a bit more dark chocolate to enjoy, but aside from that, it’s near perfect.”

I’ll be dipping fries into mine, TYVM.