![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OK2BAFDNZDZE2AO53DZK6OFDYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=70a1c2eb26f099c7a115e4ff8927f0e785c64ac1cbffb69c9253cf5028b52a91&width=400&height=225)
Dhibs millefeuille at Cafe Bateel layers ajwa, kholas or wannan date syrup between French pastry sheets.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CPEPCPVX7DVXCWR4QMVKHHNDTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1924699f0f0cdf6da4a76731ed825369276888c372a7e1c6221b6fc2a17f5b91&width=400&height=225)
The beef short ribs at Cafe Bateel are marinated in a six-year aged date balsamic vinegar that uses a blend of dates from Umbria farms in Italy and Al Qatt farms in Saudi Arabia.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K7X2U4WHRCUOCWPAMOHII2PYDU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8b10c40254f0f4b1d1af17bf371d7942e2aefd6033238749702472b554757bd2&width=400&height=225)
Caviar aux dattes at Beluga restaurant is an entree of medjool dates stuffed with caviar and garnished with saffron.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7MNDVN6G7RY4GFA5VVFGS7ZLQQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0bd2a31aeacdb9218a7fa99ec49cf360046f15c52a11ffab69d8cf68c819705&width=400&height=225)
Cardamom date brownie by food blogger Majed Ali combines mashed medjool dates, cardamom, coffee, cocoa powder, pistachio, rose petals and a chocolate brownie mix.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2JQWBJ24SKJULXOPJLHR2AQW6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f4060da245978801566e71f9e92083b06e2ec7739e55072d169f92ca30d9f9d&width=400&height=225)
Three-way date cake at Cafe Society is a platter of three desserts – a date cheesecake, a date cake and bavarois with a honey date glaze and walnut praline.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CIGFTDXWEAJ67EXGPVZYC3WOX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=062ccc8aa0af61214b4c7ff7ddb66a0178b1d56ab0cbe6f10496e7dc25b00197&width=400&height=225)
Date phirni at Indian Palace comprises cashew nut powder, cardamom powder and medjool date paste.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OK2BAFDNZDZE2AO53DZK6OFDYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=70a1c2eb26f099c7a115e4ff8927f0e785c64ac1cbffb69c9253cf5028b52a91&width=400&height=225)
Dhibs millefeuille at Cafe Bateel layers ajwa, kholas or wannan date syrup between French pastry sheets.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CPEPCPVX7DVXCWR4QMVKHHNDTE.jpg?smart=true&auth=1924699f0f0cdf6da4a76731ed825369276888c372a7e1c6221b6fc2a17f5b91&width=400&height=225)
The beef short ribs at Cafe Bateel are marinated in a six-year aged date balsamic vinegar that uses a blend of dates from Umbria farms in Italy and Al Qatt farms in Saudi Arabia.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K7X2U4WHRCUOCWPAMOHII2PYDU.jpg?smart=true&auth=8b10c40254f0f4b1d1af17bf371d7942e2aefd6033238749702472b554757bd2&width=400&height=225)
Caviar aux dattes at Beluga restaurant is an entree of medjool dates stuffed with caviar and garnished with saffron.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7MNDVN6G7RY4GFA5VVFGS7ZLQQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0bd2a31aeacdb9218a7fa99ec49cf360046f15c52a11ffab69d8cf68c819705&width=400&height=225)
Cardamom date brownie by food blogger Majed Ali combines mashed medjool dates, cardamom, coffee, cocoa powder, pistachio, rose petals and a chocolate brownie mix.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2JQWBJ24SKJULXOPJLHR2AQW6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=9f4060da245978801566e71f9e92083b06e2ec7739e55072d169f92ca30d9f9d&width=400&height=225)
Three-way date cake at Cafe Society is a platter of three desserts – a date cheesecake, a date cake and bavarois with a honey date glaze and walnut praline.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CIGFTDXWEAJ67EXGPVZYC3WOX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=062ccc8aa0af61214b4c7ff7ddb66a0178b1d56ab0cbe6f10496e7dc25b00197&width=400&height=225)
Date phirni at Indian Palace comprises cashew nut powder, cardamom powder and medjool date paste.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OK2BAFDNZDZE2AO53DZK6OFDYA.jpg?smart=true&auth=70a1c2eb26f099c7a115e4ff8927f0e785c64ac1cbffb69c9253cf5028b52a91&width=400&height=225)
Dhibs millefeuille at Cafe Bateel layers ajwa, kholas or wannan date syrup between French pastry sheets.
The best way to eat dates: 6 innovative dishes and desserts that use the Middle East’s staple fruit
From cake and caviar to meat and pudding, dates pair well with a range of foods and flavours, say local chefs
Shaistha Khan
06 June, 2021
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic