When Darin Abdel and her family moved to Sarasota six years ago,  they tossed around the idea of opening an ice cream shop. But for Abdel, that wasn’t quite enough. “I need all the desserts,” she laughs. Inspired by her passion for sweet treats and her Middle Eastern roots, Abdel launched Crepetopia in September of 2025. Located in The Meadows, this chic and airy sweet shop has quickly become a hotspot thanks to its delectable desserts that are equal parts trendy and tasty. First, there are the namesake crepes, sweet and delicate and packed with a variety of fillings. For a classic take, try the Banana Nutella Crepe. For something more playful, there’s the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Crepe that combines Nutella with the crunchy breakfast cereal. Both are drizzled generously with chocolate and white chocolate. Then there are the waffles, also piled high with luscious toppings. The Oreo Waffle and S’Mores Waffle are perfect for kids of all ages. For an elevated take, try the Lotus Waffle, which is drizzled with Lotus butter and white chocolate and topped with crunchy Biscoff crumbles. But probably the biggest draw on the menu are the Dubai desserts.

Dubai chocolate is a style of ultra-luxurious, visually striking chocolate that leans hard into indulgence and spectacle. It’s typically made with high-quality milk or dark chocolate and filled or layered with rich ingredients like pistachio cream, tahini, kunafa (shredded phyllo pastry), caramel or dates—flavors that nod to Middle Eastern desserts. The texture is a big part of the appeal: silky chocolate on the outside, with a surprise inside that might be crunchy, gooey or nutty. It has gone super viral over the past few years, popping up all over TikTok and Instagram, and it seems like everyone is doing their own twist on this popular treat. But Crepetopia is special. Their interpretations of Dubai chocolate are rooted in the family’s Middle Eastern roots. “It’s all about the chocolate we use, and the pistachio,” Abdel says. “I got mine from the Middle East. The pistachio is very thick and rich.”

All of the Dubai desserts are worth checking out, but the Dubai brownie is a highlight. This decadent dessert features a fudgy brownie base topped with a thick layer of crunchy pistachio and shredded phyllo, which is then topped with a generous amount of pistachio cream. It’s the definition of decadence. In fact, it might just set a new standard.