A new wave of handcrafted gelato and high-end chocolate is headed to Webster with Tifa Chocolate & Gelato opening at 1065 W Bay Area Blvd #240. It’s the first location for the brand in the greater Houston area, led by Franchisee Sanaa Atkins, who brings an international lens and a lifelong love of desserts to the project.
Atkins grew up in Morocco, where her family ran bakeries and pastry shops. She spent much of her childhood helping out in the family business. “I have an MBA, and worked in marketing, graphic design, and did some consulting, but realized it wasn’t my passion,” she said. “We are foodie people, and we love good desserts.” That mix of business knowledge and a background in sweets led her to Tifa.
Tifa, which got its start in California in 2007, has grown steadily over the past 18 years while staying true to its roots. The brand is known for locally made gelato using natural and locally-sourced ingredients, French-sourced chocolate, and a warm, community-first café environment. Gelato flavors rotate by region and often include local collaborations. Atkins mentioned a crowd favorite is the “Texas Breakfast Gelato,” which is made with thick-cut bacon, maple syrup, and a splash of local rye whiskey. Her personal favorite, however, is the “Strawberry Balsamic.”
Atkin’s emphasized, “Our flavors are curated by our chef whom is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained Head Pastry Chef with our unique approach to gelato making that combines the authentic Italian method with innovative flavors that resonate with American taste preferences, creating an unforgettable culinary experience for every dessert enthusiast.” She also was excited to mention, “One of our driving visions is to have a desert cafe with something for everyone in the family.” The atmosphere is being created so that anyone, even entire families, can show up and enjoy their experience while visiting the shop.
The Webster location will also serve pastries and coffee along with the gelato options. While this will be Atkins’ first time operating with the brand, she’s already looking ahead to future expansion, hoping to grow Tifa’s presence after the successful launch of this outpost.
The opening is planned for Fall 2025.
