It’s Hot Chocolate Season! Here’s Where To Get London’s Best

Knoops

Experts in the chocolate field, Knoops serve up some of the best creamy chocolate-y drinks in the capital. 

Starting life in the picturesque town of Rye, East Sussex, their concept is centred around the chocolate percentage. Visitors can choose their chocolate percentage, milk type and add on extra flavour touches too, from orange zest to sea salt, to really take the chocolate experience up a notch. Now with four venues spread across the city, you can enjoy their hot chocolates any time.

Said

If Italian chocolate is your favourite, you’ll want to whizz over to Said, the London branch of Rome’s oldest chocolate factory. 

Now boasting two outposts in Fitzrovia and Soho, Said champions the best of its heritage with traditional chocolate making techniques and textures, and showcasing all of the chocolate treats from the Roman establishment. 

Sit in and order one of their hot chocolates. They make hot chocolate the Italian way so expect a thick and rich melted chocolate wonder. Prepare for a chocolate coma afterwards.

Dark Sugars

Brick Lane’s Dark Sugars takes chocolate lovers on a whole new journey. Fall in love with the founder’s inspiring journey and indulge in one of the best hot chocolates you’ll ever try. Their hot chocs are piled with layers of shaved chocolate that’s topped over warming, frothy milk. Watch as it melts its way into the milk, spilling over the sides and getting your fingers covered in chocolatey goodness. 

As well as hot chocs, visitors can expect to search through mountains of handmade goodies, from truffles and pearls to vegan friendly treats.

Chin Chin Labs 

Better known for their liquid nitrogen ice cream, Chin Chin Labs turn their hand to hot chocolate as soon as the cooler weather hits. And as you’d expect, it’s as wild, wacky and weather-appropriate as you’d imagine.   

Head down to Camden or Soho to try their signature hot chocolate. Warming chocolate that’s topped with gooey, charred marshmallow fluff (that’s also vegetarian!). Snap up a photo for the ‘gram before diving straight in.

Paul A. Young 

One man who has taken the British chocolate scene to new heights is Paul Young. The chocolatier has become renowned for his creative flavour combinations and small batch approach. 

Now with a Soho and Islington site, Londoners can head down to explore the range on offer, including a rather delicious hot chocolate option that’s perfect for the cooler weather months. Head down to buy gifts for Christmas or treat yourself to an indulgent day of chocolate trying.

Gail’s 

A high street favourite, Gail’s is renowned for its bountiful options of baked goods and strong coffee. It may be where you run to in the morning on your way to work or where you rush to come lunchtime to snap one of their salad bowls before they sell out, but have you tried their hot chocolate? 

The popular bakery uses Island Chocolates’ brilliant mix of barista hot chocolates. There’s a choice of the 65% or 75% dark chocolate,  and there’s also a new 55% milk chocolate option available at some of their bakeries too.

Rococo Chocolates 

Established back in 1983, Rococo Chocolates now boasts seven London shops bursting with the finest luxury chocolate blends, handcrafted truffles and astounding hampers. 

The chocolatiers pride themselves on using only the finest, most ethically sourced ingredients, for sustainability purposes but also to maximise the taste. Rococo continues to wow all year round, with their innovative creations and specialty products. But for the hot chocolate lovers out there, look to them for a creamy filled blend made with the finest quality chocolate. Rich, indulgent and every bit as delicious as you could imagine.

Venchi 

Home to 11 London locations, Venchi is the place to shop for traditional Italian style chocolates.

From indulgent spreads to pick and mix that’ll  win over any chocolate fan, there’s something for all hidden inside one of Venchi’s stores. Including their hot chocolate offering that’s creamy and full-flavoured. 

For those wanting to recreate their hot choc offering at home, buy the Cacao Due Vecchi Cocoa Powder Drinking Chocolate and mix up your own warming concoction at home.

Melt London

Rich, thick and delicious. So thick you could eat it with a spoon, Melt London’s hot chocolates are hard to beat. They use a range of chocolate caddies to make the most indulgent cup, whether you’re in your dark or milk choccie. If you’re a fan of the taste, you can even buy them by the jar to recreate the experience for yourself at home – although nothing quite beats one made by the professionals themselves.

The Connaught Patisserie

This one might be on the more expensive side, but a trip to The Connaught Patisserie is a must this Autumn-Winter. 

The space, decked out in light pinks and booth seating, is the perfect backdrop to any hot chocolate experience. Enjoy their rich homemade hot chocolate alongside their iconic Hound chocolate hazelnut cakes – a chocolate lover’s dream date.