Hyderabad, May 4 -- Arabic desserts have been a mainstay of Hyderabad's culinary map for a long time, rooted in the city's historic ties to the Middle East. However, in recent years, this long-standing love affair has reached a fever pitch. Walk into any cafe or restaurant in the city, and you will find yourself at the centre of a high-gloss dessert revolution.

From the golden, cheese-pull glory of Kunafa and the delicate layers of Baklava to the viral Galata Cheesecake, the city's sweet tooth has chosen Middle Eastern treats. Even niche hybrids like Salankatia and the ubiquitous milk cakes have become social media staples. While the city films its next viral reel of a chocolate-drenched pastry, a quieter, more soulful dessert culture re...