Al Aker Sweets, Souq Waqif

The broad round kunafa pans behind Al Aker’s counter explain why this is such a popular sweet stop in Souq Waqif. A golden surface is cut into portions, with warm cheese beneath and pistachio adding a green finish. It is a dessert to eat while warm, when the pastry and filling still give you their different textures. One modest portion can be a satisfying end to a meal in the market.

Kunafa comes in different forms, and the choice matters. The softer version has a finer, closer crumb, while the crisp version puts more emphasis on the shredded pastry. Mixed kunafa and rolled pastries give the counter more variety. Al Aker’s wider selection also includes cream-filled sweets, so a golden surface alone does not tell you what is inside. The serving staff can identify the filling and the size before a piece is cut.

The display is worth looking along before deciding. Shallow metal trays hold neat rows of nut pastries, with rolled pieces, layered squares and pistachio-topped sweets bringing different proportions of pastry, syrup and filling. Baklava gives you a firmer, flaky alternative to warm kunafa. A mixed takeaway selection works well for sharing later; the box and its weight determine a different purchase from a single dessert portion.

This is a working sweet shop in the souq, with the display and preparation close together. The dark wall behind the glass counter, large preparation pans and bright Arabic shop sign are part of its recognisable setting. It suits a brief counter stop as easily as a longer dessert break when seating is available. In the evening, the illuminated frontage opens onto the pedestrian market rather than a hotel lobby or shopping mall.

Bandar Aden makes a convenient savoury partner nearby: Yemeni stews and bread first, then the walk through Souq Waqif for something sweet. Al Aker is also an easy visit on its own. The useful choice is between a warm portion now and a pastry selection to take away; fresh-kunafa service, portion sizes and seating are handled by this branch. Dairy, wheat and nuts all need attention when ordering for an allergy.