Burgers, chocolate, and street food take centre stage at SIBF 2025

November 13, 2025 / 2:10 PM

Sharjah24: It might be a book fair, but at this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), the most surprising twist isn’t on the pages of books but along the lively row of food stalls and trucks welcoming visitors to the 12-day event. The smell of sizzling burgers, freshly brewed tea, melted chocolate, and fried treats fills the air, showing that at SIBF, storytelling goes far beyond words.

At Chocolate Affair, glossy strawberries are dipped in pure Belgian chocolate, attracting long queues of visitors seeking indulgence between book signings and workshops. Pistachio-dipped berries add a vibrant green twist, and staff member Adore Fuentes sums up the experience simply: “People come for the books but stay for the chocolate.”

Kunafa gets a gourmet glow-up

Dessert enthusiasts flock to Heavenly Bakery, home of the viral Chocolate Kunafa — gooey, golden, and unforgettable. “People come back the next day… sometimes the next hour,” said Katie, one of the servers. Nearby, Blend offers artisanal Hibiscus and Classic Matcha drinks, providing a refreshing contrast to the sweet treats.

Street food culture outside the halls

The outdoor food truck area transforms the fairground into a lively street market. Visitors nibble on loaded fries topped with turkey, chicken, or Cheetos and enjoy crispy Corn Dogs. First-time SIBF participant Queen Burger has already gained a following with its Truffle Burger, Beef Mushroom, and the crowd-favourite Double Beef Burger. “Gourmet but fun,” said staff member Ejaz Naik.

For seafood enthusiasts, Junior Seafood delights with fried shrimp, calamari, bouillabaisse soup and even Mussel Thermidor — dishes seldom seen at international book fairs.

Pizza, sliders and global favourites

At PZ Pizza, visitors can enjoy Arancini Balls, Truffle Mushroom Rolls, and a variety of pizzas ranging from Classic Margherita to Maple Buffalo Chicken. Lokal offers stacked signature burgers, crispy chicken dishes, and bite-sized sliders.

Korean snacks also shine with crispy “Korean coins” filled with cheese, zaatar, or Oman chips, with the cheese-and-Nutella version becoming a social media favourite among teenagers.

A cultural pause over a cup of tea

At Shay Al Mulla, Abdullah and Soud Al Mulla serve three treasured tea varieties — Iraqi tea, Habak mint tea, and the ever-popular Karak. “Tea is part of every story we tell in this region,” said Abdullah. “Tea connects people — just like books do.”

A festival of flavours and stories

From Belgian chocolates to French bouillabaisse and Korean street snacks, SIBF 2025 shows that flavour is a key part of the fair’s identity. Whether you’re sipping Karak or biting into a truffle burger, the culinary experience adds its own chapter to the memories created at this year’s event.