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Located just off Manchester Road, Melt n Dip in Ballwin is a new dessert café known for its chocolate-based desserts, especially those covered in melted Belgian chocolate.
The cafe offers everything from chocolate fondue, to waffles drizzled in warm chocolate. For anyone craving something unapologetically sweet, this is the place to go.
Walking in for the first time, the rich scent of chocolate is immediate. The first thing that caught my eye was the trio of towering fountains cascading white, milk and dark chocolate in glossy streams. It was hard not to stop and watch. Inside, leather booths and cushioned seating give the space a lounge-like feel, inviting customers to stay awhile. The menu reads like a chocolate lover’s wish list: chocolate waffles, Nutella fruit salad, triple chocolate crepes, lava cake and more. There is so much chocolate.
As an avid chocolate enthusiast, I was eager to try the Dubai chocolate strawberries in a cup as I’ve noticed the increasingly popular pistachio-and-chocolate combination on social media.
At the register, one drawback became clear: the price. A regular cup of strawberries costs nearly $16, which, to me, is a definite splurge. Still, the café emphasizes that its desserts are made with real Belgian chocolate, which partially explains the cost.
And after the first bite, it was easier to understand. The strawberries were fresh, sweet and slightly tangy, balancing the richness of the pistachio filling. The warm Belgian chocolate coated each piece in a smooth, velvety layer, adding depth without overwhelming the fruit.
In addition to the strawberries, I ordered the Lotus Biscoff dip sticks; mini cream puffs, similar to bite-sized éclairs, coated in Belgian chocolate and finished with a Lotus cookie syrup and crumbled cookie pieces. The pastry was light and airy, while the chocolate and caramelized cookie topping added a nice sweetness and slight crunch.
Even at around 9 p.m., the café was busy. Groups of friends and families filled the booths, and customers continued to filter in. Judging by the steady crowd Melt n Dip has quickly become noticeable in the area.
Melt n Dip’s journey began in Illinois, where it first sold cakes, crepes, waffles and other desserts. The company later franchised and expanded throughout the Chicago area and into other states. Today, there are 19 cafés open across the United States, one of them being right here in Ballwin, Mo.
However, in an area filled with familiar chain restaurants, Melt n Dip offers something slightly different. Its dramatic chocolate fountains and oversized, carefully decorated desserts transform a simple trip for a sweet treat into an experience, one that the Ballwin community clearly resonates with.
