‘Sold out every day’: Customers flock to get a taste of Dubai Chocolate Croissant

A beloved Hobart laneway foodie spot has become a mob scene of a morning as customers scramble to get their hands on the latest Instagram-worthy treat.

Happy Larry Operations manager Uzma Khetarpal with the Dubai Chocolate croissants. Picture: Linda Higginson

One bite of the Dubai Chocolate and Uzma Khetarpal knew she had to bring it to Hobart.

Ms Khetarpal is the operations manager of beloved CBD sandwich joint Happy Larry Deli.

One year on from opening, the Dubai chocolate croissant has become their bestseller, with customers regularly queuing out front of the store hoping to get their hands on the Instagram-worthy treat.

“It’s sold out every day it’s on offer,” Ms Khetarpal said.

“We’ve had queues even before we open, and even people coming from interstate.”

The viral Dubai chocolate sensation first erupted on TikTok in late 2023, with clips of people tucking into the chocolate bar, stuffed with a creamy pistachio and pastry filling, gaining millions of views.

The trend has gone so viral it has led to a global pistachio shortage, with Ms Khetarpal having to source the humble nut paste from interstate.

“Some of our suppliers are working after hours, texting us when they’re getting stock in,” she said.

“It’s been a bit of a juggle for everyone.”

The deli’s croissant version is the ultimate winter indulgence – kataifi pastry and pistachio butter mixture encased in a flaky, butter croissant and topped with chocolate and pistachio nuts.

The recipe took two months to perfect – not that Ms Khetarpal was complaining.

“It took us a lot of trial and error and that meant more tastings,” she said.

“We wanted to get the mix right but we got there in the end and we’re very proud of it.

“When you take that first bite, it all comes together … and having people tell us it’s the best croissant they’ve had in their lives is the best feedback.”

To find out when it is in stock, visit @happylarry_deli on Instagram.

Originally published as ‘Sold out every day’: Customers flock to get a taste of Dubai Chocolate Croissant