Knafeh, qatayef, baklava, more: Best desserts in Cincinnati for Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr

Hana Khalyleh, David Wysong, Rasputin Todd, Haadiza Ogwude, Keith Pandolfi and Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
Updated ·3 min read
2

It’s currently Ramadan, an Islamic holy month celebrated by Muslims all over the world.

During Ramadan, when the sun is up, many Muslims abstain from eating food and drinking water. When the sun is down, however, many have big meals to break their fast. Eid al-Fitr is the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, and it's celebrated with large get-togethers, often complete with Arabic or African desserts.

These desserts can range from qatayef, a rolled pastry from North Africa and the Levant that’s filled with cream or pistachios, or knafeh, a Palestinian cheesy dessert with a sweet syrup.

Baklava from LEYLA Mediterranean
Baklava from LEYLA Mediterranean

But where can you go to get these desserts if you live in Cincinnati? We spoke to chefs at local bakeries and shops that prepare these desserts to learn more about them, and find out how you can try them.

Local dining: 3 years after pandemic closures, are restaurants back to business as usual?

Ramadan 2023: When is it? What is it? Everything to know

Five Stars Mediterranean

Qatayef, a sweet rolled dessert filled with cream and nuts.
Qatayef, a sweet rolled dessert filled with cream and nuts.

Five Stars Mediterranean offers Lebanese and Mediterranean desserts, entrees and sandwiches in Cincinnati.

Restaurant address: 4501 Vine St., Saint Bernard.

What to try:

  • Knafeh: a Palestinian cheesy dessert, covered in crunchy shredded filo pastry and sweetened with a light syrup. The knafeh at Five Stars is sprinkled with pistachios.

  • Baklava: a layered filo pastry dating back to the Ottoman Empire, filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey.

  • Qatayef: a soft, rolled pastry (similar to a rolled-up pancake) from North Africa and the Levant that’s filled with sweet cheesy cream or pistachio nuts.

You can fine baklava at Five Stars Mediterranean.
You can fine baklava at Five Stars Mediterranean.

Dean's Mediterranean Imports

Dean's Mediterranean Imports sells Turkish delights.
Dean's Mediterranean Imports sells Turkish delights.

Dean's Mediterranean Imports offers bulk spices, specialty foods and Middle Eastern cuisine in Findlay Market.

Restaurant address: 108 W. Elder St., Over-the-Rhine.

What to try:

  • Turkish delight: a family of chewy starch confections, often flavored with nuts, dates, rose water or fruit. The texture is soft and pillowy.

  • Halwa (or Halva): a thick, dense, soft confectionary, often sweetened with honey and flavored with sesame or tahini. It's rich and sweet, and it's often studded with nuts, or marbled with chocolate or other flavors.

  • Dates: the sugary fruit of the date palm tree has been cultivated in the Middle East for thousands of years. Try them stuffed with a nut butter or with halva!

LEYLA Mediterranean

You can find Kazandibi at LEYLA Mediterranean.
You can find Kazandibi at LEYLA Mediterranean.

LEYLA Mediterranean brings authentic Kurdish and Mediterranean cuisine from Anderson Towne Center.

Restaurant address: 7418 Beechmont Ave. #106, Anderson Township.

What to try:

  • Kazandibi: a thick Turkish milk pudding or custard with a golden-brown coating of caramelized sugar. It is similar to a creme brulee, except the sugar is scorched on the bottom of a pan, rather than overtop the custard.

  • Sütlaç: a sweet rice-and-milk pudding from Turkey, baked in an oven and often garnished with cinnamon.

  • Keşkül: Turkish almond-based milk pudding, often garnished with coconut or pistachios.

Olive Tree

Ibtisam Masto, owner of Olive Tree, in Oakley, at a pop-up event at Oakley Wines.
Ibtisam Masto, owner of Olive Tree, in Oakley, at a pop-up event at Oakley Wines.

Olive Tree offers an all-Halal, Syrian menu of desserts, entrees and catering options out of Oakley Kitchen.

Restaurant address: 3715 Madison Road, Oakley.

What to try:

  • Harissa: Basbousa, also known as harissa, is a dense semolina cake, soaked in sweet syrup, with Egyptian origins. It's popular in Syria and the Levant.

  • Awamat: a Lebanese and Syrian doughnut or fried fritter soaked in a simple syrup.

  • Mushabbak: a Syrian treat similar to a funnel cake, in which the batter is piped in a spiral pattern, fried for a crispy exterior and dipped in sweet syrup.

Baladi

You can find harissa (also known as basbousa) at Baladi.
You can find harissa (also known as basbousa) at Baladi.

Baladi serves authentic Arabic food, with a specialty in Syrian flavors. The term "baladi" means "my country" in Arabic.

Restaurant address: 3307 Clifton Ave., Clifton.

What to try:

  • Basbousa: a dense semolina cake also known as harissa that's soaked in sweet syrup, with Egyptian origins. It's popular in Syria and the Levant.

  • Knafeh: a Palestinian cheesy dessert, covered in crunchy shredded filo pastry and sweetened with a light syrup.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Where to get baklava, other desserts in Cincinnati for Ramadan, Eid