Chic Cozy Dessert Destination
Tea and Co’s Dalston outpost serves perfectly balanced Belgian chocolate waffle, crispy yet airy, with banana, strawberry rosettes, pistachio chocolate and shaved cocoa, paired with friendly service and camera-ready presentation.
In a neighborhood that rarely wants for sugar, Tea & Co makes a persuasive case for dessert done with discipline. The room sets the mood: chic and cozy, lined with teal banquettes and pink chairs, its gold accents hinting at occasion without tipping into fuss. Bright overheads are tempered by warm globe pendants—flattering enough for a quick photo, but more importantly, clear and calm. Floors, tables, and the gelato-and-waffle counter are spotless. A long, comfortable layout, cushioned booths on one side and petite marble-topped tables on the other, leaves just enough aisle space so the bustle never becomes a bump.
The Belgium Chocolate waffle is the star you hope it will be and rarely find. It arrives crisp-edged and airy within, a texture that holds even under a gleam of sauces. Neat coins of banana and strawberry rosettes are arranged with jeweler’s care, the fruit doing real work here—bright acidity to keep the sweetness clean. A glossy Belgian chocolate drizzle supplies cocoa depth; a second ribbon of pistachio chocolate folds in nutty, almost toasty warmth. Shaved chocolate flecks add a whisper of crunch. The result is balance: two chocolates, yet nothing cloying; indulgent, yet clear on the palate. It’s generous enough to share, though the first bite will test your resolve. Plated on a pink dish that makes the colors sing, it reads camera-ready without feeling contrived.
Service is friendly and unfussy, the kind you barely register until you realize how smoothly everything has happened. Pair the waffle with a floral black tea—something with lift and a drying finish—or lean into the theme with a pistachio latte, which echoes the nutty notes without overwhelming them.
Tea & Co understands that the sweetest plates succeed when restraint meets pleasure. This waffle is built on small, thoughtful decisions: crispness preserved, fruit placed with intention, sweetness calibrated. In Dalston’s lively mix of cafés and confectioners, it feels quietly confident, a dessert for people who want a little delight and a lot of craft. Consider it a must-order.