14 Of London’s Most Decadent Chocolate Shops
With Christmas coming up, now’s the perfect time to treat the chocolate lover in your life to treats from London’s chocolate shops.
From Alain Ducasse’s specialist choc shop to London’s very first independent vegan choccy shop, here are the 14 best to visit if you’re a chocoholic. Looking for more foodie gifts? Check out our Christmas gift guide.
London’s chocolate shops you should visit now
Pierre Marconlini
For the prettiest chocolates around town, you’re going to want to head to luxury chocolate brand, Pierre Marconlini.
Marconlini is one of the only chocolatiers to roast his cocoa beans himself, and sources the beans directly from growers across the world, helping to produce the silkiest blends and chocolates on offer.
With three outposts in London, you can explore his collection from handpicked gift selections to chocolate tablets for real chocolate lovers. The products are both delicious and perfect to score some likes for the ‘gram.
Various Locations
www.eu.marcolini.com
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 speciality products. We love their sea salt original milk chocolate thins and dark chocolate options too.
Various Locations
www.rococochocolates.com
Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse
It wouldn’t be a chocolate shop guide without mentioning Alain Ducasse’s signature choccie infused outpost in Coal Drops Yard.
The legendary French chef, famed for his three Michelin-starred restaurant at The Dorchester and his distinct flavour combinations, also boasts a more relaxed coffee shop-cum-chocolatier in Kings Cross, housing some of the finest chocolates in London. Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse specialises in three main chocolate families: ganaches, pralines and truffles, each using different recipes to create new textures, flavours and indulgent bites of chocolatey goodness.
There’s also a whole host of bars, candied fruits, hot chocolate mixes and spreads to try too. We love their Soveria candied fruit ginger for when we need a zap of energy to get us through the afternoon work slump. These are the poshest chocolate you’ll find in London.
Coal Drops Yard, Unit 15 Bagley Walk, Kings Cross N1C 4DH
www.lechocolat-alainducasse.com
Charbonnel Et Walker
If you’ve ever attended a dinner party with friends, family or work colleagues, chances are you brought a box of Charbonnel et Walker’s Pink Marc de Champagne truffles in tow to win over your hosts, and if you didn’t, that’s probably the reason you haven’t been invited back.
Charbonnel’s truffles have become the epitome of middle-class affairs, and rightly so, they’re bloody delicious. Truly indulgent and absolutely moreish; you can’t go wrong with a truffle following a dinner party spread. To see where the magic happens or to explore their collection in all of its entirety, head over to their confectionary store at The Royal Arcade. From Sipsmith Gin-infused truffles to their celebratory hamper selection, you can guarantee you’ll be leaving with your bank balance looking a little lighter.
28 The Royal Arcade, Old Bond Street, Mayfair W1S 4BT
www.charbonnel.co.uk
Said
If Italian chocolate is your favourite, you’ll want to whizz on over to Said, the London branch of Rome’s oldest chocolate factory.
Said, now boasting two outposts in Fitzrovia and Soho, champions the best of its heritage with traditional chocolate-making techniques, textures and showcases all of the chocolate treats from the Roman establishment on its wide range of chocolatey options.
Sit in and enjoy one of their hot chocolates too; we’ve heard excellent things.
Fitzrovia / Soho
www.said.it
Montezuma’s
Shaking up a British chocolate market since arriving on the scene in 2000 is Montezuma’s, the chocolate company that strives to keep its passion for independence, family values, business and accountability at the forefront of its brand.
Montezuma boasts two outposts in London and specialises in innovative flavours and its big and bold vegan range. Think lime and sea salt dark chocolate mini bars and milk chocolate with butterscotch.
One product we can’t get enough of is their peanut butter truffles. They’re salty, and sweet and will knock any Reese’s fan away with their flavour.
Spitalfields / Kingston
www.montezumas.co.uk
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. They’ve also got a wide selection of smooth, authentic Italian gelato for when you want something refreshing on warmer days.
Various Locations
www.venchi.com
Melt London
Let all of your senses salivate as you step foot inside one of Melt’s chocolate shops in Notting Hill and Holland Park.
Your Willy Wonka dreams will come true as watch the world-class chocolatiers create fresh, handmade choccies right in front of you. Their in-house kitchen allows you to see first-hand just how chocolate is created, whether it’s fresh truffles or their incredible vegan chocolate.
They also boast several on-site experiences, including making your own choccies, tastings and children’s lollipop courses. Throughout lockdown, Melt entered the virtual world, bringing their experiences online too, so if you’re eager to know and learn more, try one of their cocktail and chocolate pairing nights or enjoy a virtual chocolate tasting.
Notting Hill / Holland Park
www.meltchocolates.com
Copperhouse Chocolate
Vegans, you didn’t think we’d leave you out now, did you?
Enter Copperhouse Chocolate, London’s very first fully vegan coffee shop equipped with the richest, creamiest chocolate assortments you could dream of.
Head over to their store on Chapel Market and browse their wide selection of indulgent drinking chocolates, choccie bars, and their own take on the classic Reese’s peanut butter cup. So good you won’t be able to tell the difference.
1 Chapel Market, The Angel N1 9EZ
www.copperhousechocolate.co.uk
Dark Sugars
Dark Sugars’ story stems from a love of cocoa, not chocolate.
Nyanga, the founder of Dark Sugars, chose to tell the story of cocoa, the integral ingredient in chocolate, and display its journey from tree to tummy. From experimenting with the flavours derived from cocoa, Nyanga opened up the brick-and-mortar shop in 2013 and hasn’t looked back since.
Bringing influencers from West African culture to Brick Lane, the shop sets out to educate and take you on a cocoa journey. From their luscious truffles to their infamous freshly shaved hot chocolates, head down to experience chocolate like never before.
141 Brick Lane, Shoreditch E1 6SB
www.darksugars.co.uk
Melange Chocolate
From flavoured bars to chocolate buttons, Melange has become a favourite among chocolate enthusiasts thanks to its wide range and intriguing flavours. The in-house chocolatiers craft intricate and innovative flavours, from coriander and grapefruit to lavender and lemon, truffle oil and turmeric to matcha and strawberry. Try some of their award-winning treats for yourself.
2 Maxted Road, SE15 4LL
www.themelange.com
If there’s one thing the Swiss know how to nail (there’s actually a tonne, from luxury watches to army knives and fondue), it’s chocolate. So head to Regent Street where you’ll find some of the finest, authentic Swiss chocolate outside of the Alps at the newly opened, Läderach.
The luxury Swiss chocolatiers specialise in special occasion chocs, from truffles and pralines to slabs and decadent chocolate figures – the hazelnut peppered slab AKA the FrischSchoggi is dangerously moreish FYI.
With a history that dates back to 1962, they are the largest chocolate retailer in Switzerland with a whopping 90 stores. We’ve sampled some of the delights and can verify we’re thrilled they’ve just opened up here.
254 Regent St, Soho, London W1B 3AA
www.laderach.com
Cartografie
From chocolate covered hazelnuts to their white chocolate bars sprinkled with wasabi coated almonds, you definitely do not want to miss this London chocolatier. Tucked away in Nine Elms, Cartografie, has an abundant range of sweet treats: dragées, candied nuts, chocolate bars and spreads. They sell out quick, so don’t hesitate to get your hands on their mouth watering treats!
14 New Union Square, Nine Elms, London SW11 7AX
Artisan du Chocolat
This Chelsea-based chocolatier has mastered the art since 1999 in the loved Borough Market. From chocolate pearls to truffles to even their “couture collection”, Artisan du Chocolat has a creative and tasty kick to their products that you should not miss out on. Head on over to their main store in Chelsea or check them out in the Soho Selfridges.
89 Lower Sloane St, London SW1W 8DA
