Inside the new Calgary bakery offering 150 desserts from across the Middle East
When it comes to traditional Middle Eastern desserts, Phillistines Bakery & Sweets is one of Calgary’s newest additions, but it’s already making its mark on the city.
The spot, which opened in the city’s northeast in 2024, showcases over 150 desserts from across the Middle East that are hard to come by in Calgary.
Reyad Abusalim, president of Phillistines Bakery, told Dished that its menu focuses on sweets originating from Palestine and the Middle East, the most popular being its kunafa.
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The traditional Arabic pastry is having a moment right now, being one of the key ingredients in the viral Dubai chocolate craze. However, traditional kunafa looks a little different, Abusalim explains.
At Phillistines, they receive a kunafa dough from Montreal, which is then mixed in-house with cheese, served hot and topped with syrup.
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“It’s a very traditional dessert, and usually, you bring it if you want to honour somebody, or for weddings and major events,” Abusalim adds.
As well as the traditional dessert, Phillistines is known for its take on the viral cups, loaded with fresh strawberries, melted chocolate and pistachio kunafa.
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Through both its desserts and its name, Phillistines, which means Palestine in Arabic, is paying homage to its Palestine roots.
“I descend from Palestinian parents, so the name Phillistines is very important,” Abusalim explains.
“Now we all know that there’s a conflict happening there, and for us to be able to share the name, the traditions and the culture is very important at this time.”
Phillistines Bakery & Sweets
Address: 3003 21st St. NE, Calgary
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