Chocolate Dino, an independent bakery based in London, is marking an exceptional year with two 2-star Great Taste Awards 2025 for its standout Speculoos & White Chocolate New York–Style Cheesecake and Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cookie. Adding to its success, the bakery has now achieved over 500 five-star Google reviews, maintaining an outstanding 4.9 average rating.
Launched in May 2020 at the height of lockdown by hospitality experts Rafal Smaszcz and Marcin Matykiewicz, Chocolate Dino started life as a passion project, selling gooey brownies online and at local markets.
The journey began modestly, with the founders baking in home kitchens and hand-delivering treats to customers seeking comfort during challenging times. As word spread, their indulgent brownies and generously sized cookies quickly gained popularity. Within months, they were appearing at well-known London markets, including Brick Lane, before expanding to major events such as Comic Con and Formula-E.
In just five years, Chocolate Dino has grown from a small home operation into a bustling café, recognised by its bright yellow frontage on Kennington Road, near Waterloo.
Its distinctive dinosaur branding and cosy, welcoming atmosphere have helped cement its reputation as a go-to destination for sweet lovers. Today, the bakery serves hundreds of visitors each week, catering to locals, office workers, and international tourists alike.
Award-Winning Treats with a Creative Edge
While the bakery is best known for its award-winning brownies and giant New York–style cookies, its latest wins at the Great Taste Awards 2025 demonstrate how far the team has come in developing creative new recipes.
The Speculoos & White Chocolate New York–Style Cheesecake impressed judges with its balance of spiced biscuit flavours and creamy white chocolate, while the Pecan Caramel Chocolate Cookie earned recognition for its rich flavour and indulgent texture. Both products achieved the coveted 2-star rating, an honour awarded to fewer than 10% of entries worldwide.
Alongside these award-winning creations, Chocolate Dino’s menu now includes inventive brunch dishes such as burrata croffles, buttermilk waffles, and shakshuka straight from the oven. Guests can enjoy sweet treats with speciality coffee from Volcano Coffee Works, as well as indulgent hot chocolates made from real melted chocolate.
“When we started, we never imagined our bakes would go from lockdown comfort food to products recognised with multiple 2★ Great Taste Awards,” says co-founder Rafal Smaszcz. “What makes us proudest isn’t just the awards, though — it’s that so many people keep coming back, leaving hundreds of kind reviews. That tells us we’ve created something special.”
Building a Cult Following in London
Chocolate Dino’s reputation has spread quickly, with more than 500 Google reviews praising its cookies, brownies, and welcoming atmosphere. Customers regularly highlight the café’s friendly staff and playful personality, which stands in sharp contrast to the corporate feel of many high-street chains.
The bakery has already attracted attention from the media, with features in Forbes, Condé Nast Traveller, and HELLO! Magazine. Its “skip the chain, taste the difference” philosophy has resonated strongly with customers seeking authentic, high-quality food experiences in London.
Chocolate Dino is now preparing to expand with a new site in the Waterloo area and plans to relaunch nationwide cookie and brownie delivery, making its award-winning products accessible across the UK. The founders aim to grow carefully while staying true to the independent spirit and personal touch that has defined the brand since its earliest days.
With its mix of artisan quality, playful branding, and neighbourhood warmth, Chocolate Dino is proving that independents still have the recipe for success in London’s café scene.
